Dirty Professor

“I can help you,” Liam offered as I smiled.

“I have been saving a ton of money living with Ginger and writing a lot. I got some money from the accident put away as well so I can do it, Liam. I am not here asking for help or money, just your presence in her life.” I smiled at him, seeing in his eyes that he would do anything for us.

“Anything you need, you tell me. I have plenty of money to help you, and I’d like you in a safe vehicle. The accident scared the fuck out of me and the idea that you were carrying our baby that night is…awful.”

“I know. I started crying immediately when they told me we were both fine.” I told him as I sipped more lemonade. It was sour compared to the sweet strawberry cake, but I welcomed it. “I was thinking of a smaller SUV with room in the back seat for her and room to take things around. I’ve heard that babies come with a lot of stuff.”

The sun was setting, and we were still talking together over tea and coffee. I couldn’t ignore the attraction that remained between us, but I didn’t want to focus on that. I was happy that he was willing to be with me on this journey.

Liam pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at it as we both stood to leave. He read the screen and put it away as he walked with me to the door. We hugged Marie, and Liam walked me to Ginger’s car, parked beside his older Jeep. Liam looked a

t the house and then into my face as he stepped closer to me. “I have a relationship to end, but I was wondering if you could give us another chance. Nothing is holding us back and everything pulling us together.”

“A relationship?” I asked as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Liam

“I have been seeing a woman for a few months,” I admitted as she looked down sadly. “I didn’t think we’d ever talk again, Elena. I kept telling myself to move forward, but she’s never meant to me what you did."

“Do you want to be with her?” Elena asked me as I reached out and cupped her face. I stared into her face as best I could in the light from the high lamp and licked my lips.

“Not more than you, Elena. She’s never felt like you did but she is a kind person, and I thought that she deserved a bit of a chance. Now that I know this and I’ve seen you, I want you back more than anything.” I wanted to kiss her, but I knew that I needed to wait until it was over with Nora. I wasn’t that man now and even sleeping with other women while Elena and I were apart made me feel guilty. I couldn’t kiss her and feel good about myself. “I am going to break things off with her immediately.”

“Are you sure?” She asked as I laughed softly. I could feel the heat between us drawing me to her and nodded.

“Positive. I am going to go do that, and I’ll call you later. Is your number the same?” Elena nodded as I stepped back to try and snap out of the fog that I was in. I needed to focus on the moment, and I looked at her for a moment. “Text me when you get home. I’ll call you later.” There was a part of me that was worried that I wouldn’t hear from her tonight, just like before.

“I will,” Elena promised me as she turned to head towards the car. Pregnancy suited her, and I watched her for a moment before getting into the jeep. I wondered if I should tell Nora that it was over in person or on the phone, turning down her road as the question answered itself. She deserved the best even if it was going to hurt her.

I parked in the lot and jogged to her door, my heart racing in my chest. I knew that tonight was going to be different starting from the text in the morning and now everything was coming together. I took a moment to catch my breath before I knocked on it, hearing her call out across the living room. “How is she? You were gone a while.” Nora told me as she opened her door with a wide, worried smile. I looked her over for a moment, not ignorant to the short, clingy dress that she wore and what it suggested.

“Yeah, it did. We were talking for a while.” I walked inside, brushing past her as my body screamed that this felt wrong. I went and sat down in the chair by myself, watching her frown as she sat on the couch across from me. “I had a lot to get out over there.” I didn’t plan to tell her about Elena and talking to her, or about the baby. I just needed to end this right now.

“Okay. What’s going on, Liam?” Nora asked, picking up on the vibe from me.

“You know I have that ex. Marie was friends with her, and they’ve talked a bit, so she came up in conversation tonight.” I glanced at Nora, seeing her face pale. “I had already been thinking about her a lot and talking about her…it’s not fair to be with you when my heart is still with her.”

“Are you getting back together?” Nora asked as she leaned forward, her hands clenched in her lap.

“I’m not sure,” I wasn’t lying, but I knew more than I was letting on. “I just need to figure my head out, and I don’t want to hurt you while I do that.”

“I knew that she was on your mind a lot. I didn’t like to think about it because I was falling for you this entire time, but I was aware of it.” Nora looked out of the window as she spoke, pain in her pretty eyes.

“I am sorry, Nora. Maybe I should have thought about this in the beginning. You’re a wonderful person though, and I wanted to try this.” I leaned forward and looked at her, watching a small smile cross her lips.

“It was fun, Liam. I had a great time with you, but I want you happy.” Nora told me, looking at the floor before she met my gaze.

“You are going to find someone that adores you. I just couldn’t be that man, and I’m sorry.” I told her as she nodded. Nora pulled uncomfortably at the revealing dress. “Stop. You’re gorgeous, Nora. I am just not the one.”

“I sure thought you were,” she murmured as we both stood. I licked my lips and looked around the apartment, stocking the good memories here away before I thought about Elena and a sweet baby girl.

I left after giving her a hug, walking towards my Jeep with a smile and hope for my future. It isn’t what I would have chosen, but I was excited now, thinking about moving Elena in and setting up a nursery in my place. Hell, I’d sell it and buy a house of that was what she wanted. I knew that she sent me a text when my phone vibrated in my pocket, but I didn’t read it while I was talking to Nora. I was hurting her enough.

I pulled it out now and read her words, calling her right back. “I’m done. I’m ready. Can I come over?”

“What? We just spent hours talking, Liam.” Elena sounded surprised, and I tried to rein in my enthusiasm.

“Yes, after months of no contact,” I reminded her as I glanced at the apartment building in front of me. This was right. “I couldn’t kiss you earlier, Elena. I wanted to be completely yours when I did that again, and I am.”