The Professor (Forbidden Encounters 1)

“No, I’m getting to like Abigale from here a lot.”

Her smile brightens, like the sun rising in the middle of the night. She whirls around and hurries to her door, leaving me grinning from ear to ear.

I have a feeling I’m going to like Abigale from the west of Oak Valley more than Jessica from Vegas.

Chapter Five

Abby

Staring out the window, watching the snow flurries, I absently swirl a spoon in a cup of black coffee. My mind is far from here, on a certain sexy professor who refuses to take no for an answer. Deep down, I’m relieved he didn’t give up when I pushed him away. One week later, we haven’t gone on that date yet. Between school and working at the diner, it’s tight for me. He says he’s patient. We had that conversation last night over the phone.

The entire time I spoke to him I felt myself blushing like a virgin?well, I am a virgin?but getting heated over everything he says is just ridiculous. The man can mention the weather and my skin gets hot from head to toe.

“Earth to Abby.”

I start. “Huh?”

“Wow, this whole college thing sure is doing a number on you.” Lucy hops onto the counter.

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop putting your ass on the counter?”

“I’ve stopped counting, Mom.”

I suck my teeth when she plucks my mug out of my hands and takes a sip. “You’re such an asshole.” But I grin. This is our morning routine. She annoys me, I lecture her. We’ve raised each other since Mom died. She passed when I was eight and Lucy was seven. Things were never the same after that. Dad really dove into the criminal underworld after that. I think the grief was too much for him. Getting into trouble with the law, constantly, was his coping mechanism, I suppose.

“But you love me to death.” Lucy’s smile fades. “Look at you, Abby, when was the last time you slept?”

“What are you talking about? I slept last night.”

“I mean for more than two hours.”

“Now who’s the mom? I’m fine.” It’s a good question, though. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten a good night’s sleep.

“So fine you were just sleeping with your eyes open. I said good morning like three times and you didn’t hear me.”

“I was…” just daydreaming about a man. If I say that out loud, I’ll never hear the end of it. “Don’t worry. I’ll catch up on sleep soon or later. How’s the new job?”

She shrugs. “It’s whatever.”

“Typical eighteen-year-old answer.” I snatch my mug back and head to the dining table to crack a textbook open. I dozed off some time around three this morning before I got to finish reading.

Lucy hops off the counter and busies herself making breakfast. “I went to see Dad yesterday.”

I stop stirring my coffee. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Ugh, that’s why she needed the car last night.

She sets a frying pan on the stove and glowers at me over her shoulder. “Why, were you going to come with?”

“I had to work.”

“And if you didn’t?”

Giving her an equally fierce look, I proceed to sip coffee.

Lucy harrumphs. “That’s what I thought. I told him you were super busy with school and work so he wouldn’t feel bad about you avoiding him. He says he’s proud of you and he misses you. You should go and see him, Abby.”

Guilt slithers in my gut. I really should. Sure, Dad got his hands dirty. A lot. Our name will forever be looked down upon in this town. But he took care of us the best he could. He kept us clothed and fed, made sure we never missed school. I sigh. “I will soon. I promise.”

Seemingly satisfied, Lucy nods and returns to her task.