Look Again

I realize that I’m afraid Dr. Moreau is not rooting for me. She’s asking me how I’m working with Joey, and I have to assume she’s also asking Joey how she’s working with me. Could either one of us honestly say we’ve been working well together? Joey’s doing her things. I’m doing mine. I need to step up the collaboration aspect of this project. Because if Dr. Moreau asks if our partnership is a success, I might tell her that it was most successful when we were making out on my couch.

Kind of don’t think that will go over too well.

I pull out my phone and text Joey.

‘Can we meet to talk over plans? Friday after class? Saturday morning?’

There. If she also has a Tuesday deadline, this will make me look like I’m well on my way to real organizational success.

She answers quickly.

‘Sure. Staff room Friday at 4?’

She wants to meet in the staff room. No chance of getting too friendly when there’s a conference table between us and a couple of copiers snuggled against the wall. I should find this helpful. She won’t keep me wondering. Sounds like she has no interest in revisiting our kiss. Rules.

Fine. Now I know. Fine.

Except it’s not fine, because I can’t even look at her without getting distracted by that little quirk at the side of her mouth.

We can be colleagues. We can work together without any romantic thoughts intruding.

‘Sounds perfect,’ I lie.