Rachel
Caine had successfully avoided me for four days.
Until today. There would be no way to avoid seeing me unless he skipped the once-per-semester, mandatory faculty meeting TAs were required to attend, as well as professors.
I was sitting alone in the back of the large conference room with a seat open next to me—not that I was saving it for anyone in particular. Caine hadn’t shown up yet. Each time someone walked in, my eyes darted to the door. The music department chair had taken his place at the front of the room, readying to begin, when Caine finally showed up.
Stopping in the doorway, his eyes scanned the room, falling on me before quickly looking anywhere else. He couldn’t have taken a seat farther away from me.
I was surprised his hair didn’t catch fire during the forty-five minute meeting with the way my eyes were burning into the back of his head. After it was over, I stayed in my seat to see if he would walk back out the door without a single word.
Caine stood and glanced over at me, but was quickly joined by a woman who walked over to greet him with a big smile. She wore a bright pink suit that screamed for attention, but aside from that, she was actually rather pretty—though I hated to admit that. I’d seen her around the halls and knew she was an adjunct professor, although I didn’t know her name.
Professor Pink was also the complete opposite of me—she had unnaturally blonde, Marilyn Monroe-type hair, stood only a few inches shorter than Caine, and her suit, even being a tacky color, was definitely designer. She was very touchy-feely with Professor West, and there was a definite familiarity in the way she rested her hands on his arms as they spoke. After the second or third time she tossed her hair back and laughed, I was done watching. Standing up, I headed for the door but got stuck behind two professors who were talking while they walked and moving as slow as shit.
Caine and Professor Pink were a few people ahead of me in line to exit the room, and he made a point not to look in my direction. When his hand went to the small of her back to usher her out the door, I realized I was a total idiot. Obviously the mighty professor didn’t have an issue with fraternization—unless it was with me.
Screw him. I couldn’t believe how full of shit he was.
As soon as I was out of the conference room, I bolted down the hall. My legs couldn’t get me off campus fast enough. I was annoyed for thinking it was possible Caine was interested in me but held back because I was his assistant. Even more so, I was pissed at him for pretending that was the case. I hadn’t been imagining the signals he gave the other night at dinner.
I’d nearly made it out of the building when I abruptly stopped, causing a student to crash right into me.
“What the hell?” he barked.
“Sorry.”
I started walking again. I should get the hell out of this building, but I knew myself—certain things ate at me. If I didn’t get this off my chest, I was going to be miserable all day. I needed to go give Caine a piece of my mind. Screw it.
Turning around, I crashed into the same student again.
“Seriously?” he said.
“Jeez. You’ll live. Don’t walk so close behind people!”
I took off for Caine’s office. I might lose my job for telling him off, but at least I would be able to sleep tonight. So what if I was proving his point that I was tightly wound?
The door to Caine’s office was cracked open. I paused to collect my thoughts for a moment, then reached for the door handle. Screw knocking. But a woman’s voice stopped me from busting in. Her laughter hit my skin, sparking a fire that burned its way up to my cheeks. I hadn’t heard Professor Pink’s voice earlier, yet somehow I was certain it was her.
“Remember that little Italian place?” the woman said. “The one with the fireplace in the back?”
“Giordano’s.”
“Yes, that’s the one. We should go there again sometime. The dessert cart looked incredible.” She paused. “Although we didn’t make it to dessert that night, did we?”
I’d heard enough. I didn’t stay for Caine’s response. I couldn’t. As pissed off as I was when I’d marched my ass to his office, hearing him with another woman had turned that into hurt and embarrassed—something I preferred not to let others see. So, I prescribed myself my own therapy and instead of barging into his office, I popped my earbuds in and headed home.
I had zero desire to go out to our monthly friends’ dinner tonight. I preferred to stay at home and wallow in self-pity. But when I attempted to cancel, Ava guilted me into showing up. So, I forced myself to get ready. Screw it. If I didn’t feel good, I might as well look good. Plus, blow-drying my hair was oddly therapeutic for me. I found the constant, repetitive brushing and smoothing very calming.
Needless to say, my thick, naturally curly hair was pin straight by the time I was done—I’d needed a lot of calming. Since I’d taken the time to make my locks look good, I went all out with a full face of makeup and even put on a cute outfit and high-heeled sandals.
Davis’s expression told me he, at least, appreciated the extra effort when I arrived at O’Leary’s. Tonight it was only me, him, and Ava since our other former roommate was away with her new boyfriend on a cruise. Once the three of us sat down, I was glad I’d come. I really did enjoy my time with these guys. We laughed as we caught up, mostly at the crazy stories Ava told. But then just a half hour into our night, Sal, the new waiter, came over and said he was sick and needed to leave. He asked if one of us could call Charlie to come in and take over his shift.
Since there were only a few hours until the kitchen closed anyway, Ava and I both volunteered to cover for him. Plus, his complexion was slightly green, and I was pretty sure he wouldn’t make it hanging around until Charlie drove in from Queens.
“You look too nice to work tonight,” Ava said, pointing to my feet. “And those are not waitressing shoes. I got this. There aren’t many tables left, so you two hang out, and I’ll come join you in between serving.”
Although Davis and I had ended things in a good way, we really hadn’t hung out just the two of us since whatever we had ended and he’d moved out. Since I was dressed up, and awkwardness set in as soon as Ava left, it felt sort of like a first date.
“So…” Davis said. “This feels weird.”
I laughed. “I know. Why? It shouldn’t. It’s just us. We’ve hung out a million times.”
Davis shot me a sheepish look. “Because you look really hot tonight.”
“Are you saying I didn’t look really hot when we lived together and I rolled out of bed every morning?” I’d said it joking around, but Davis’s answer was serious.
“Actually, I think you look beautiful all the time.”
I blushed. “Such a southern charmer.”
Davis and Ava had ordered a bottle of wine, and he lifted it to refill his glass, then held the bottle over my empty one. “Have one with me?”
I hesitated, thinking back to the last time we’d had drinks together—I’d wound up in Davis’s room.
With a devious grin that told me he was thinking the exact same thing, he filled my glass…to the brim and said, “Just one.”
The wine definitely helped. Now that the bottle was empty, the strain between Davis and me was gone. We’d gorged on pasta and wine and caught up on the last few months. Things were feeling back to normal.
“How are Umberto and Lydia?” he asked.
It was just like him to remember their names because they were important to me. He was always very thoughtful and attentive.
“They’re doing really well. Still the happy threesome.”
“And your thesis?”
“Good. Caine seemed happy with my progress. Although who knows.” I finished off my glass of wine. “He could hate it tomorrow.”
“Caine?”
“My new thesis advisor.”
Davis nodded.
“He’s kind of a giant ass,” I added. Not that he’d asked.
“When are you finished?”
“Another few months and I’ll be done with my thesis and graduating.”
“Then what?”
“I’m not sure yet. My minor was elementary education, so I was thinking of applying to some local school districts that have musical therapy programs for autistic children.”
Davis smiled. “That suits you. I could definitely see you doing that.”
I sipped my wine. I was now on glass two and already feeling a buzz. “What about you? Are you happy here in New York? Do you think you’ll stay forever?”
“Maybe.”
I wasn’t sure if I’d imagined it, but I could have sworn his eyes had dropped to my lips.
“What about you? Are you happy? Seeing anyone?”
My good mood took a nose dive. I wasn’t seeing anyone, but that didn’t mean I was happy about it. I’d managed to forget about Caine for the sum total of an hour tonight.
I sighed. “No. I’m single. You?”
Davis must’ve taken my downturn of spirit as a general statement about my single status.
“Not seeing anyone. But I’d like to be.”
Yeah. Me, too.
I sipped more wine. “Oh yeah? Tell me about the lucky girl.”
Davis grinned. “She’s short, kind of quirky, beautiful, smart.”
I rested my head on my hands. “Sounds perfect. Does she have a brother for me?”
Instead of answering, Davis reached over the table and took my hand in his. “I’ve really missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“Have dinner with me this weekend? Just me and you.”
Huh?
Seeing the confusion on my face, Davis continued. “I wasn’t ready to date last year. I didn’t want to jump into something with you when my head wasn’t screwed on straight. I’m in a better place now.”
The wine must’ve totally gotten to me. I seriously hadn’t realized he was talking about asking me out. I’d waited for this for almost a year, yet now I felt unsure. Luckily, Ava came to my rescue. She scooted into the booth next to me, playfully bumping my hip with hers, and took over the conversation. I was grateful for the reprieve.
After another hour of sitting around and talking, we decided to move to the pub tables in the bar area since the dining room was empty.
Davis looked at his watch. “I have to be at the airport at five a.m. for work, so I’m going to take off.”
The three of us made plans for next month’s dinner, and he gave Ava a hug goodbye before turning to me. Only he didn’t let go after my hug. Instead, he took both of my hands in his.
“Think about it. Okay?”
I had no idea what to say, so I simply nodded and smiled. Then he was gone.
The minute he was out the door, Ava turned to me. “What the hell was that all about?”
“He wants to take me out on a date.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
“I have no idea. I’m so confused right now.”
“You know what will make things clearer?” She smiled.
“What?”
“Let’s get stinking drunk.”