“You’re too young to understand the importance of discipline, Chance,” Derek said haughtily. “You are from the generation that was raised without it.”
I was about to come at him with a biting retort when Lindsey walked through the door with a cheerful greeting.
“Good morning, Professor William, Professor Stiller,” she said brightly. “How are you fine gentleman today?”
“Lindsey,” Derek nodded. He gathered up his papers, and after a hasty farewell, he left us to the empty copy room.
“Thank God you appeared when you did,” I told her. “The old bat was driving me crazy.”
“God had nothing to do with it,” Lindsey retorted. “I was standing at the door listening to that little argument. I just figured I’d stop you from saying something you might regret later.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s an old prude.”
“He’s not as prudish as he seems,” Lindsey said pointedly. “In any case, you need to be careful around him. Stiller’s a tenured professor at this university, in addition to which he has Mueller’s ear. One word from him and Mueller will send you packing.”
“And, I’d be heartbroken, naturally,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“You act like this job is not important to you.”
“I
t is,” I said. “It’s just that… I’m not going to kiss anyone’s ass to keep it.”
She shook her head at me. “I must say, that attitude is both misguided and sexy.”
I laughed. “Did you actually have something to copy or you were just eavesdropping?”
“Just eavesdropping,” she admitted calmly. “I was passing by on my way to lunch. Care to join me?”
“Why not,” I nodded, grabbing my papers. “Unless it’s against the rules for teachers to have lunch together, too.”
Lindsey smiled, and we left the copy room together. We found a small café on campus and sat down to a quick lunch before our respective lectures.
“So, anything you want to tell me?” Lindsey asked suddenly, the moment our food had been set down in front of us.
I wrinkled my eyebrows together. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, is there something you would like to tell me…anything specific?”
“Um, no.”
“Sure?”
I smiled. “Why don’t you tell me what you would like me to say?” I suggested.
“I happened to pass by your office yesterday,” she said. I tensed slightly, knowing instantly where this was going. “And I noticed this cute little brunette leaving your office.”
“She’s a student of mine,” I replied, keeping my tone calm and even.
“Uh-huh?”
“She just needed a consultation,” I replied, with a shrug. “That’s all.”
“You’re a good liar,” Lindsey smiled. “I’ll give you that.”
I frowned. Natalie had visited me yesterday in my office, and even though it wasn’t technically a consultation, we hadn’t done any hanky-panky, either. The most we had shared were a few stolen kisses before she had left my office.
“Are you trying to imply something, Lindsey?” I asked innocently.