The Professor (Forbidden Encounters 1)

Dad’s satisfied grin? more like a sneer? rubs me the wrong way. “There she is.”

I follow his gaze, zeroing in on a pretty blonde in a figure-hugging emerald dress. So that’s Charlie Traverse, Abby’s best bud. Releasing a sigh, I give Dad a withering glare and head down the spiral staircase. I just have to let him see me talking to her. He’ll be satisfied and I can blow this joint after.

Making my way through the crowd, I offer polite smiles and greetings to a few familiar faces. Nearing Charlie and Chief Traverse, I hear her say, “Daddy, just relax.”

“This isn’t my scene,” comes the gruff reply.

I smile. Kenton Traverse is a rugged, no nonsense man. His gruff demeanor hides a great man with a heart of gold. I’ve seen him help countless townspeople. He takes his job of protecting the town seriously. I’m not afraid to say he’s a greater man than my father.

“Kenton.”

He turns around, scowl in place, but realizing it’s me, his expression relaxes. “Bryce.” We shake hands.

“Glad you could make it.”

His brows shoot up. “Really?”

“No, I don’t care, this isn’t my scene either. I probably want to be here less than you do.”

“I doubt that. Your father invited me. I just came to get him off my ass for a while.”

“Daddy.” Charlie gives him a reprimanding look. “Lower your voice, someone might hear you badmouthing the mayor. His son is right in front of you for goodness’ sake.”

Kenton’s eyes dance with mischief. “I don’t think Bryce likes his father much sometimes either.”

My roar of laughter garners us a few curious glances. I look toward the balcony where Dad is watching the three of us smugly. He thinks I’m working his angle. That elicits another laugh. “You’re a perceptive man, Chief. That’s why I like you.”

He chuckles and looks from me to his daughter. “You two haven’t officially met, have you?”

“Not officially but I know Professor Marshall,” Charlie says. “I took his class last year.”

“Oh, how about that.” Kenton shrugs. “Still, Bryce, this is my daughter Charlotte.”

“Please, never call me that,” Charlie interjects.

Kenton frowns, “What’s wrong with my mother’s name.”

“Not now, Daddy,” she huffs. “Nice to officially meet you professor...I mean Bryce.”

“Same here.” I take her hand in mine. I don’t even recognize her from my classroom. I never look too hard at my female student for fear of them misinterpreting my attention. I’ve gotten a few crazy ones hence, my constant caution.

“You two enjoy the rest of the party. I’ve got to...mingle.”

Kenton sighs, “I’ll be out of here as soon I can.”

I give Charlie a friendly smile and make my escape. Glancing over my shoulder, I see Dad watching me with a frown. Chuckling I hurry to the exit. I did as I promised, I met Charlie Traverse. I never said I’d do anything else. I’m almost free. My car is parked close to the gate, where I knew I wouldn’t be blocked in.

“You are so not ditching without me.”

I stop in my tracks and suppress a groan. So close. Slowly turning around, I demand, “Holly, get back inside.”

“Bryce, come on,” she whines, “don’t leave me, please. I’m dying in there. Do you know how hard it is to maintain a fake smile and pretend to

be into conversations about the state of the economy and whose yacht is bigger than whose? I’m seventeen. Why do those old folks keep pulling me into conversations?”

Laughter bubbles in my chest then erupts. Holly’s misery is printed on her face. “I feel your pain, really I do but I’m on my way to…” I was going to see Abby. Her shift doesn’t end for another two hours but I just want to sit in the diner and pretend not to know her while I flirt with her a little. It’s become our little inside joke.

Holly clasps her hands under her chin. “Take me with you. Please.” She pouts and I sigh. “Maybe we can stop and grab burgers or something. Real food.”