Falling for the Beast (A Modern Fairy Tale Duet 2)

Jeremy snorted. “Well, it’s going to sound boring compared to that. It’s a recreation room for professors. Sort of a members only type of thing. There’s nice furniture, good liquor, and a pool table that’s been here since the university’s inception.”

“How did I never know about this?”

“Because you weren’t tenured.”

“I’m still not tenured.”

“Call it a sales pitch. You can come see what you’d be missing.”

“Hmm.” He’d always had a soft spot for the school, ever since he was a wide-eyed freshman. It amused him to realize there were new things to discover in a place he’d been for so many years. Blake eyed the room, catching a few curious glances his way as he did.

People looked away quickly. They didn’t want to be caught staring.

Anywhere had to be better than this. “Let’s go.”

Jeremy rounded up a couple of tenured professors that Blake had met before and headed two buildings over and downstairs into the basement. He had promised Erin, and himself, that he would try to rejoin society. That meant more than clocking in and out of a job, whatever it was. It meant the rare social occasion like this. He looked forward to the time Erin would join him at parties like this. If he was going to sneak out of the party early and into some dimly lit recess, he’d far rather be doing it with her.

Inside the faculty basement, there were thick leather armchairs that made him feel like wearing a smoking jacket. The other guys started up a game on the green felt pool table in the corner, but Jeremy came to sit by him. There was something he wanted to talk about, but Blake could be patient. He accepted the offered glass of whiskey and a cigar.

Jeremy settled in opposite him and was quiet for a moment. “I know you and Melinda used to be an item.”

Blake raised his eyebrows. “What of it?”

“Just wondering if there’s anything still between you two.”

Christ. First his goddamn battle scars had to be story time for the group, now he’d been lured by alcohol to talk about his past lovelorn humiliation. Being back in society was a laugh a minute.

“No. It’s over. Very much so.”

“Good to hear it.”

Blake raised his eyebrows. “Why, is there some sort of policy against intradepartmental dating?”

Jeremy laughed shortly. “I hope not. I was thinking of asking her out.”

“Oh.” Well, that put a new spin on their shared nightcap.

A sideways glance. “So, what do you think?”

“About you and Melinda? I think nothing about that. Whatsoever.”

“You must think something. You think she’s too hot for me?”

“The thought hadn’t crossed my mind.” At least he could be honest about that.

“Well, come on. Give me something here. If you’re not trying to get back together, help a fellow out. I know she’s still talking to you, too.”

Hmm. Melinda wouldn’t spill on him and Erin, not anymore, but it would be best not to stir this pot too strongly. He pretended to think about it. And then he actually did think about it. Mosely was a smart guy, and he seemed ambitious enough. Melinda could help support him. Blake was no matchmaker, but it wasn’t a bad setup.

He shrugged. “What the hell do I know?”

“Thanks, man. Real encouraging.”

A surprised laugh burst from him. He supposed he really had been out of the loop for too long. He’d forgotten how to be a friend.

“Shit. Sorry.” He leaned forward, staring into his drink. The sight of amber-colored liquid reminded him of his morning with Erin a few weeks ago, and God, what a morning that had been. He couldn’t wait to repeat it.

Preferably every morning from now on.