Jack laughed, the sound a deep rumble. “You are hilarious.”
“So I’ve been told.”
He pushed open the door to the building, holding it for her. “I was wondering if you’d like to go to Yellowstone with me. Not this weekend, but next. October fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth.”
They stepped out of the building into bright sunshine. Paige blinked at the light and reached into her bag for her sunglasses. “Yellowstone,” she repeated.
“I’ve been asked to fill in for a speaker who had to cancel for this year’s Yellowstone educator symposium. I’ve spoken at it before and it’s a really good group of people. We stay right in the park.”
She smiled as they passed two of her students from last year, even as she struggled to respond to Jack’s invitation. He was asking her to go with him on a trip. To a conference. Where he was the guest speaker. She tried to sort through her thoughts and answer carefully. “I’ve been to enough symposiums and conferences to know that it’s not necessarily the norm to bring a guest.”
Jack shrugged. “It wouldn’t be that strange. Others will be bringing spouses, partners.”
She glanced up at him, brow furrowing. “Which I am neither.”
“It’s going to be a really relaxed weekend. I’m sure you can get someone to cover your Friday classes.” He shrugged. “Or you could just cancel your Friday classes.”
“Oh, it’s that easy.”
“It’s not that hard, either.”
“Won’t people think it’s odd that I’m coming with you? Won’t they expect us to be in some kind of relationship?”
“I think you’re overthinking this.”
“I’m wondering if you’ve even thought this through.”
They reached the math and science building, one of the most nondescript buildings on campus, and he opened the glass door, holding it for her. “What is your objection?” he asked.
“I just don’t want to create gossip. Stir up speculation.”
“You are such a chicken.”
“I’m not a chicken. I’m cautious. I consider my reputation.”
They climbed the stairs to the second floor. He glanced down at her, expression teasing. “No one is worrying about your reputation, Dr. Newsome.”
“Well, certainly not you, Dr. King.”
“Do you ever have any fun? Or are you always so incredibly uptight?”
Her mouth opened and closed. Part of her was offended, and another part of her thought, Yes, I resemble that. Annoyance won out. “You do you, and I’ll do me.”
“I’d like to do you—”
“Ssssh. Someone might hear you.”
“The walls?”
They’d reached the end of the hall where their offices were, and she gazed up at him. He looked especially handsome today—rakish—with that bright glint in his eyes. She was drawn to him, and when he was charming and playful, she found him rather irresistible. “We’re very much opposites—”
“They say opposites attract.”
“Opposites also get on each other’s nerves. They can even grow to hate each other—” She broke off, wishing she hadn’t added that part. It was a little too personal, a little too telling. “Not that I know from experience,” she added quickly, drawing out the keys and unlocking her office door. “Reading and data and so forth.”
“You remind me of my former headmaster at the boarding school I attended as a boy. He was very proper, too, and took everything very seriously.”
“I’m not always proper and uptight. I have fun with my girls, and Elizabeth. We go to movies, and dinner, we go see shows, and have weekend road trips—”
“Then come to Yellowstone. I realize I’m not one of your girls or Elizabeth, but I can be good company, too. And we’re talking about Yellowstone. Staying in historic cabins inside the park. Great food. Smart people. Interesting topics.”
She spotted one of her students approaching. “I’ll think about it,” she said, because it did sound appealing. Very appealing. But then she remembered his kiss and how he’d made her feel so many things. But she couldn’t handle another Paris. Couldn’t handle disappointing him—or herself—again.
“When was the last time you visited Yellowstone?” he asked.
“I’ve never been,” she admitted before seeing his incredulous expression. “But it is on my bucket list,” she added defensively.
“Then join me. Check it off your list.”
* * *
After her office hours, Paige had one more class, and then she returned to her building to gather her things and check her mailbox in the math department. The math department office was empty. Andi wasn’t at her desk but since the office door was unlocked Paige suspected she’d just stepped out for a moment. Paige headed to the small staff room with the faculty mailboxes, and as she reached into her mailbox, she heard a soft hiccuping sound. Paige froze, listening. She heard it again. A soft, muffled cry.
Paige stepped from the staff room and glanced down the hall toward Dr. Nair’s office. Dr. Nair was out today, but in the shadows outside his door stood Andi, his executive assistant, head bent, a tissue pressed to her mouth.
“Andi, are you okay?” Paige asked, concerned.
Andi’s head nodded, making her long dark curls bounce. Paige walked to her. “Did something happen?” she asked, putting a hand on Andi’s back. Andi was such a sweetheart. Paige couldn’t stand to see her upset.
“No, nothing,” Andi said, using the crumpled tissue to blot her eyes and then dab her nose. “It’s just a hard day. I thought maybe this year it would be different, but I guess not.”
Then it hit Paige. “Is this the day Kevin died?” she asked carefully.
Andi had been widowed at fifty-four, just months before Paige joined Orange University. Greg Hsu told Paige that Andi had taken the job at Orange just months after her husband died, needing to feel needed since she’d never had kids of her own. Andi was very much the heart of the department, and Paige looked forward to seeing her smile every day.
Andi drew a shuddering breath. “It would have been our thirty-sixth anniversary today.”
“I’m so sorry, Andi.”