“Jennie, I think the assignment is very easy to understand. It is testing what you have learned thus far in class. Professor Dunlap has talked extensively about the impact to the ecosystem and offered numerous opinions and suggestions about what may happen. There isn’t a right or wrong answer. Your grade will be based on how much thought and effort you put into it,” Tessa calmly explained.
Jennie rolled her eyes, clearly not happy to be stuck with the assignment. “Well, I guess we’ll see. Like I said earlier, Professor, my average cannot slide.”
I looked at her, smiled, but didn’t say a word. I didn’t give a shit what her average was. I didn’t appreciate being bullied or threatened by a freshman who was used to things being easy, and when they weren’t, she argued her way out of them. Not today, toots.
More students strolled through the door, making it impossible for me to chat with Tessa about anything other than the class. She seemed to sense my frustration and gave me a sexy smile before walking away and greeting some of the students.
I watched her, without actually staring at her. Jennie was watching me, and I didn’t want to give away our little secret by looking at Tessa like I wanted to ravage her. Jennie was young and naive, but she also seemed a little manipulative. She was one I needed to keep my eye on.
Class, with Tessa at my back, went by very fast. Anytime she was in my company, I felt like time flew by. I wanted to dig in my heels and make it slow so I could be with her, even if I couldn’t physically touch her. Her presence alone was comforting and always made me feel more complete. Cheesy and ridiculous, perhaps, but it was how I felt. I had to acknowledge it.
Tessa couldn’t stay for my second class, which left me feeling bereft. I missed her presence. Of course, that class dragged on. Once over, I headed for my office, praying Jennie wouldn’t seek me out again. I needed a break from the girl.
“Professor Dunlap! Just who I was coming to see!” a voice rang out.
I looked up from my phone and saw the dean standing outside my office door. It was too late to run the opposite direction, so I had no choice but to stay the course.
“Did we have a meeting?” I asked, suddenly worried that my obsession with a hot young student had obliterated too many of my brain cells.
She smiled. “No, I only wanted to check in with you. Can we talk for a few?”
I nodded and did my best to appear totally cool, but I was freaking out a little. Did she know something? Play it cool, man.
“Sure,” I said, unlocking the door and inviting her into to my meager office. Tessa had helped fancy it up some, but it was like putting lipstick on a pig. It was still a tiny, dingy, and a poor excuse for an office.
The dean looked around, and I had the feeling she too realized how crappy the space was. I gestured for her to take the plain wooden seat while I sat behind the desk.
“What’s up?” I asked, doing my best to keep it light, even though I felt like I had a bowling ball in the pit of my stomach.
“I wanted to see how things were going.”
I shrugged, trying to keep the guilt from appearing on my face. “Good, I think. Things are smoothing out, and I’m setting back into my rhythm.”
My mind was racing, wondering the real reason for her visit. Had Jennie complained? Did someone see Tessa and I in the classroom, making out like horny teenagers?
A slight nod was all I got. She cleared her throat. “I need to know,” she started.
The bowling ball had turned into a full-blown bowling alley—on league night. I could feel stomach acid rising in my gut, and burning my throat. She was about to fire me. Or confront me first, and then fire me.
“What are your plans for the future? Will you be sticking around another year?” she asked.
I nearly puked. That’s it? That’s all she wanted to know? Or wait. Maybe she was asking because she knew about Tessa and wanted to see if I would leave when she graduated.
Shrugging, I was still not quite able to speak.
She smiled, a real, genuine smile. “Okay, I understand. You don’t want to commit, yet, but I really need to know by the beginning of next semester, if you could. You’re doing a great job from what I can see. The students seem to be warming up to you, and the faculty likes you as well.”
Nodding, I tried not to blink too fast. Or too slow. My guilt was turning me into a giant wimp. I couldn’t form words or keep my features relaxed. Clearly, I would be horrible in an interrogation.
“I will,” I managed to say. Clearing my throat, I regained some of my composure. “I mean, at this point, I don’t see anything that would prevent me from staying on another year.” As long as she doesn’t fire me.
“Good,” she said. “That’s great!” She stood up from the horrible chair. “Well then, I’ll let you get back to whatever it was you were doing. Please, let me know as soon as you’ve made a decision. I simply wanted to let you know the job is yours if you want it. I’ll have a formal contract drawn up next week. We can negotiate salary terms a bit if that is what’s holding you back,” she added.
I hadn’t even thought about it, but now that she brought it up, hell yeah, we were negotiating.
“Thank you for stopping by,” I told her, quickly jumping out of my chair and opening the door for her.
Once she left, I shut the door, leaned against it and exhaled a long breath. That was close. My mind was completely muddled. I stared at my desk, knowing there was no way I would be able to concentrate on anything. Tessa had been on my mind since she left last night. Now, the dean’s little visit was in there crowding things up. I couldn’t focus. I needed to get away from the school and clear my head.