Flirting with Fifty

Chapter 10

Paige met Elizabeth Monday morning for coffee on campus before their first class. It was a gorgeous morning with the vivid blue sky overhead and the golden kiss of the sun on the red tiled roof of the campus. They ordered their coffee at the little coffeehouse in the main quad and carried their cups outside, finding a table by the tall fountain. “You said Nichole flew out Saturday night?” Elizabeth asked, picking up the thread of their conversation.

“She was there at my place when I arrived home, totally catching me off guard,” Paige said, settling into her chair.

“It was a weekend of surprises,” Elizabeth said.

Paige thought of Jack’s kiss and how quickly things had gotten hot. “It was,” she agreed, trying not to smile too broadly. “Thank you again for my party. It was so fun, and so unexpected.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Elizabeth blew on her hot coffee. “But what’s different? You look rather glowy today.”

Paige arched a brow. “Glowy? Is that a real word, professor?”

“ ‘Giving off a steady light.’ An adjective.” Elizabeth grinned and sipped her coffee, attention fixed on Paige. “So, what’s the secret?”

Paige shrugged. “Nothing. Same old, same old.”

“But you don’t look same old, same old. You look . . . happy.”

“Hopefully, I look happy every day. I certainly feel happy every day.”

“You look happy when you’re with me, but you don’t always look happy. You often look . . . worried.”

“I do?”

“Or maybe just stressed.”

Paige frowned. “I walk around looking stressed?”

“You just always seem to have a lot on your mind.”

“Because I do have a lot on my mind, but I don’t want that etched all over my face.”

“You don’t today, though. You look . . .”

“Glowy,” Paige supplied, rolling her eyes. “Happy.”

Elizabeth sat back. “Yes. Like a cat who’s had a bowl of cream—” She broke off, eyes widening. “Did you and Jack . . . you know . . . ?”

“No.” Paige’s brows flattened. “No,” she repeated, reaching for her coffee. “Nichole was there waiting for me. Remember?”

“Oh, right.” Elizabeth’s face sagged with disappointment. “I just thought . . . Oh, never mind.”

Paige lifted her coffee. “But we did kiss,” she added under her breath.

“What?” Elizabeth cried, voice rising by a full octave.

Paige shushed her, aware that a number of the students studying at the outdoor café had glanced their way. “Be quiet,” she hissed, “or I won’t tell you anything.”

“Lips sealed,” Elizabeth answered, making a zipping motion over her mouth.

Paige fought a smile. “You’re so ridiculous but you make me laugh.” She lowered her voice, leaned forward. “But yes, he kissed me good night, we were outside on my doorstep. It was a good kiss.”

“What would you rate it? Seven out of ten? Eight?”

“Ten.”

“Wow. No wonder you’re glowing. You had a full endorphin, dopamine-fueled experience.”

“Can you try not to talk like a love scientist? It doesn’t suit you.”

Elizabeth grinned. “So, when do you two go out next?”

“I think we’re trying to go for a hike this weekend, but it’s not a date—”

“Says who?”

“Because it’s a hike, not a make-out session in the back seat of his car.”

“It could turn into one.”

Paige considered this. “Hopefully not after a hike. I’d need a shower.”

“He’d probably like your smell. Pheromones, and all that.”

She grimaced. “I’m not into odor, but now that you mention it, I do like whatever it is Jack wears. I don’t know if it’s aftershave or cologne. He smells good.”

“You really like him.”

“I always liked him. That’s never been the issue.”

“What’s the issue, then?”

“We’re teaching together, we’re colleagues—”

“Oh, stop. Live a little. Enjoy your life. Please.”

“I am enjoying my life. I’m sitting with my best friend, having coffee on a beautiful morning, on one of California’s beautiful campuses—”

“Yes, but I don’t make you light up. I don’t put that starry look in your eyes—”

“I don’t have a starry look.”

“You do. And that’s good, because kissing is fun. You should kiss him again soon. Don’t wait until December, that’s months away. Kiss him this weekend. Or even better, kiss him this week.” Elizabeth glanced at her phone and rose. “I have to go, but I’ll be eagerly awaiting updates.”

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