The Daddy Box Set

“What? No! Like a planned meeting? Or was it a chance encounter? Tell me, and don’t leave out any details, please!” Maria said, slapping my arm.

Throwing the car in reverse, I told her about running into Ian.

“There are some cosmic forces at work here,” Maria said, shaking her head with awe. “Seriously. What are the odds you two would end up at the same place?”

“Funny, we said the same thing. Fate or something, but it’s not. I don’t believe in that stuff.” I waved a hand in the air.

Maria shrugged. “You don’t have to believe in it. It’s happening whether you accept the reasons for it or not.”

“He’s my professor. I work for him. Plus, he’s like ten years older than me,” I reasoned. “Actually, I don’t even know how old he is, but much older, I’m sure.”

“Older isn’t a bad thing. Trust me; I went on a date last night with someone our age and older looks very good.”

“That bad, huh?”

“You have no idea. I’m not a fucking babysitter,” Maria grumbled.

“I’m sorry. Maybe we need to start hanging out in the teacher’s lounge or something if you are dead set on an older man,” I joked.

Maria shrugged. “It has to be better than the club scene. Maybe I’ll sign up to be a teacher’s assistant next semester and find me my own hot professor.”

I pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store. “I didn’t find a hot professor. He’s a widower. He isn’t going to be interested in a relationship, especially with someone like me. I’m like half his age.”

Marie rolled her eyes at that exaggeration but smiled anyway.

We got out of the car and headed inside. I mulled over what Maria had said. It did seem strange to keep running into him. That got me wondering if maybe we had been running into each other for months or years but never noticed each other. It took my sister dying and me needing some extra credits for us to be thrown together.

Was it the universe?

Chapter Nine

Ian

I managed to unfold my legs from the car that was too small for me and stood next to it. I needed to sell the stupid thing and get something a little more suitable for my size. It was Miriam’s car. I hadn’t been able to sell it after she died and opted to sell my big truck instead. A single guy didn’t need two vehicles. Especially an unemployed single guy. Now that I was working, it was time to find something I could actually fit in without banging my damn knees.

I walked towards the main door of the science building, a little nervous about what today would hold. Would Tessa be cold and aloof or would she treat me as a friend? Yesterday had been one of the best da

ys of my life since the accident. It had been a simple breakfast, but I loved every minute of it.

My phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw that it was Jake.

“Hey, I’m headed into class. What’s up?” I asked, pausing on the sidewalk.

“You didn’t call me back yesterday. I wanted to check in and make sure you were okay.”

I smiled. “I’m okay, thanks, Jake. I had a late breakfast and then spent the day catching up on work.”

“Is she there?” Jake asked.

“Who?”

My little brother chuckled. We both knew who he was referring to.

I caved. “I don’t know. I’m standing outside on the sidewalk, headed into class now.”

“Okay, call me back next time. I don’t like worrying about you, big brother. Remember, keep your hands to yourself, Professor Dunlap. No playing grab-ass in the broom closet or where ever you naughty professors do that kind of thing.”

“I’m hanging up now, Jake,” I said, quickly disconnecting the call.