“Let’s keep it that way,” she said, brushing back the hair from his forehead. She pet him, her large, sedated cat, until his eyes stayed shut and his breathing evened out. He slept, but she continued to caress him, needing the contact.
How could she have been so reckless with him—with his career and his life? And how had he let her do that? Though he wasn’t confrontational by nature, preferring diplomacy to a direct conflict, he knew how to stand up to people. It was how he’d isolated himself so completely, how he’d avoided getting sucked back into the world despite repeated calls from the dean, from his parents. He’d laid down the facts with Melinda, threatening to call the police if she pulled any more stunts here. But she’d simply asked him, here, do this thing, and he’d nodded and done it. A heady sort of power, but one she could misuse by accident if she wasn’t careful.
Erin
This morning had been another great class. The group had loosened up over the weeks, with the other students holding active discussions that sometimes spilled out into the hallway after class. Then Erin had spent the early afternoon in a small café right off campus, where she’d enjoyed a strawberry drink with tapioca pearls while going over her notes.
She packed up her books and headed back to the department offices. She had a standing weekly appointment with her advisor, Dr. Miller, to go over her progress and get feedback. The day was uncommonly warm. Sunlight winked at her from around the spires and cornices of the elaborate old buildings.
Her eyes were narrowed and downcast to avoid the bright light. She pushed through the double doors, blinking at the sudden dimness.
“There you are, Erin,” a voice said. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
At first she couldn’t place it, but the sinking feeling was answer enough. Her vision cleared. Melinda was smiling at her. It wasn’t a nice smile.
“Dr. Jenkins,” she said in greeting, hoping the dismay didn’t come through.
“Come into my office and we can talk.”
“Oh. Well, I have a meeting with—”
“Not for a few minutes, right? You’re always early. You can spare a few minutes for me.”
She did have a few minutes until her meeting started, which she normally spent on the bench in the hallway, and Melinda seemed to know that. She didn’t want to talk to her right now, especially blindsided like this. But she wasn’t willing to make the leap to insubordination. And Melinda was technically on the committee. She followed the other woman down the hall and into her office.
When Erin was inside, Melinda shut the door. Erin hid her grimace. She supposed it would be a long talk then. She sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk, and Melinda crossed the room to take her seat.
“Now,” Melinda said. “I took the liberty of looking at your transcript. Very impressive.”
“Thank you.”
“Especially for someone with your background. I really respect that.” Melinda’s tone made it clear she meant the exact opposite.
Erin gritted her teeth. How would the woman even know about her background? She’d been doing more digging than just her transcript.
Melinda continued. “I’m concerned about this. About you.”
“What about me?”
“This idea you have about getting your master’s degree. You realize it’s not necessary for many positions.”
No doubt she expected Erin to be a secretary. “I understand, but I want to do this.” Not to mention she was already two years in and inches away from the finish line. “I believe it will help me achieve my long-term goals.”
“Hmm. I’ve also had a look at your financial records. That’s a large amount of debt, the loans that cover what the scholarship didn’t. Is that really something you want to saddle yourself with so early in your career? You’re very young.”
Erin blinked. “Well, with all due respect, I’ve already taken on the debt. It’s not something I could undo even if I wanted to, at this point.”
“Really?” A thin, well-shaped eyebrow arched. “There are ways that pretty students sometimes relieve themselves of such a burden. A rich benefactor, for example.”
Shock ran through her. Had Melinda really just alluded to Blake…as a benefactor? “I’m not… That’s not what I’m doing.”
“No? Well, what are you doing then?” Melinda opened a manila folder on her desk. “Here, for example. Bent over his couch.”
She flushed hot and then cold. Oh God. Her heart in her throat, she inched forward in the seat and peered over the desk. Sure enough, there she was. The image was taken through both blinds and curtains, revealing a naked woman in a most compromising position.
“How dare you?” she breathed.
“How dare I, Erin? No. How dare you sleep around with a professor just to make your grade. I saw that you have an A in his class right now.”