Page 14 of When Hearts Collide

The infamous California sunshine makes a reappearance, as though yesterday’s storm was a hallucination. Students greet me as I pass by, and I respond with a few curt nods.

With each step taking me deeper into the university, and my lungs raking in the lingering smell of rain in the air, I feel the stress slowly escaping from my body. My mind fights the daily battle to compartmentalize, to shove my unwanted thoughts regarding my role in the family business into the back of my mind.

When I stood in the rain after the first class, feeling the wetness soaking through my clothes, spreading over my skin, and witnessing the light show in the murderous skies, I felt free. In another life, I would be doing this for the rest of my life—teaching and watching those young eyes light up in the room. In that moment, I felt a tiny sliver of happiness, like my heart was waking up after a long slumber.

I felt cleansed in the rain. I felt minuscule. Insignificant. Like the world wasn’t depending on me, my family wasn’t relying on me, and the rules of the family trust binding every Anderson, whether by birth or by marriage, to the family business weren’t there.

Under the judgment of the brilliant skies, I didn’t have to contend with the guilt over the repercussions if I branched out on my own, how my entire family would lose our company and wealth to third parties under the damn irrevocable, perpetual trust set up by our forefathers.

In the pouring rain, Ryland, both the man and the professor, was enough, and I didn’t need to be Ryland Anderson, the COO, the public face of the family, the one taking on those duties because Maxwell preferred the shadows and because I was the glue that held everyone together.

Given everything he had done for me, and the twist of fate that allowed me a freedom he could never experience for himself—simply because I happened to be seven minutes younger than him, thus escaping the constraints of the curse—how could I complain? What right did I have to feel suffocated by life when he was the one to get the short end of the stick?

But in the rain, in the eye of the storm, with nature howling around me, its power unyielding, terrifying, yet breathtaking, I felt entitled to my thoughts and emotions. I could scream and yell my frustrations into the void, and no one would hear a thing.

No one would know my selfish resentment.

Except her.

The young woman with soulful eyes.

Millie Callahan.

She saw me from the windows. When my eyes caught her looking at me, my body lost its ability to move. It was a lightning strike, singeing my insides, shocking my senses back to life. Her piercing gaze sliced through my carefully crafted armor. I couldn’t explain it. I just knew she saw me somehow…the real me behind the suits. The burst of emotions—too many to name—left me reeling, and as I forced myself to walk away from her, I settled on the one I recognized the most.

Anger.

Furious at myself for responding so inappropriately to my student, mad at her for being temptation embodied.

It made no sense. It was impossible and ridiculous.

I quickly shove the thoughts aside.

Releasing a deep exhale, I see the five-story stucco building of Kepper Hall in front of me. A heat simmers in my veins as I anticipate the first debate in class and hear the students’ arguments.

Ping.

I pause on the front steps, taking out my phone and opening the new incoming email.

Subject: Important Reminder: University Policy on Faculty-Student Relationships

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As a new academic year begins, we wish to remind you of our university’s policies regarding faculty-student relationships within our community. It is critical to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in our everyday interactions.

1. Faculty-student relationships: All romantic or sexual relationships between faculty members and students are strictly prohibited.

2. Consequences of non-compliance: Failure to adhere to these policies will result in investigation and disciplinary action, which may result in termination of employment.

We trust you will continue to contribute to our university’s reputation for excellence by upholding these standards.

Sincerely,

University of Los Angeles Human Resources Department

This must be related to a sordid scandal between a TA and her much older, married professor during the summer session that rankled the academic community. Why would anyone risk their reputation for a quick lay is beyond me.

Unbidden, an image of Millie appears in my mind again.

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