Lessons From the Professor

“Sidney, I told you I’m not ashamed of you! I just don’t look forward to the third degree my family is going to give me.”

“Because I’m eighteen years older than you?”

“No, because they’re nosey as all get out, and think they know what’s best for everyone.”

“And what will you say?”

“What do you mean?”

“What will you tell them about us?”

“That I’ve met a nice intelligent man who works as a professor for a local university. We get along swimmingly, I enjoy spending time with him, and I look forward to seeing where things will go from here.”

“Maybe we need to take some time and think about what we both want.”

“Sidney, why are you acting like this?”

“Like what, Sutton?”

“So cold and stand-offish.”

“I’m too old to play games. I want a woman who’s proud to be on my arm, and has no problem facing a bit of adversity to be with me. Our age difference will always make people talk, and our other activities have the potential to cause even more speculation if they were to ever be discovered. I need to know you’re prepared to deal with that before we go any further with this relationship. I had a wonderful time tonight, but I think its best that I be on my way now.”

She felt like she’d missed something vital as he stood and headed to the door with her trailing behind him.

“It’s hard for me to believe this is all coming from a chance encounter with my sister. I can’t help but feel as if I’ve missed something here, Sid.”

“Do you think my request is unreasonable?”

“Not at all, it’s your complete one-eighty that has me boggled.”

“Women aren’t the only ones who wish to protect their hearts.” He pursed his lips and clenched his jaw. Whatever was going on right now was not just about what had happened in the living room.

“I think that’s unfair. There’s something you’re not telling me.”

He glanced away from her, but the avoidance of eye contact spoke volumes. He was hiding something.

“I don’t think I’m the only one who needs to reevaluate what they want, Sidney. We can’t work through our issues together if you choose to keep me in the dark on things. I’ve been very open with you from the start—”

“Except when Jackson called.”

“I explained that to you.”

“Yes, after I pressed. It’s not easy to show others your baggage and hang-ups. “

“No, I’ll be the first to admit that.”

Another round of silence fell, and she shifted her weight as she waited for him to make the next move. It was clear he had had some things to work through. She could only hope in the end he found her worth it. He stepped back from her door and gave a curt nod.

“I’ll be in touch.”

For the first time since she’d met him, Sidney looked unsure of himself. The aristocratic aura she often associated with him seemed to waver as he walked to his car. She wanted to call him back and pull him into a hug, but knew he wouldn’t be open to it right now. He was a hard man to get to know, but she was sure he had his reasons. The glimpses of the incredible person she saw behind the barrier he kept erected intrigued her enough to stick it out. No one had breached her high walls since Jackson until now. There had to be a reason why Sidney put her at ease. Sutton wasn’t maudlin enough to start spouting about soul mates and kismet, but she recognized a kindred spirit. It was clear to see they’d both been hurt before. The real challenge was overcoming the past in order to have a future.

Chapter Nine

“Fuck!” Sidney fought back the urge to pound his fist on the steering wheel as he drove away from the house. He knew he’d been a complete git, but her hesitation had set off warning bells inside his head. She was so new to all of this; of course she’d be nervous. If he was half the man he thought he was he’d go back and apologize. But really how did he know she wouldn’t flake on him later? His gut churned in as he thought back to the day that had thrown his entire world off balance.

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