Page 20 of Irresistible Professor

“There is a woman named Bonnie Kelly in this class,” he continued, his eyes still locked on mine. “She’s sitting right there, in fact. And I want everyone to know that I am head over heels in love with her.”

A gasp rippled through the classroom, followed by a murmur of surprise and excitement. I felt my cheeks flush with heat, a mixture of embarrassment and elation washing over me.

“In fact, I want the whole world to know,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “I’m not going to hide what I feel for her. She is the love of my life, and she is more important to me than anything.”

Tears filled my eyes as I listened to his words, my heart swelling with a mixture of love and disbelief. I had thought that ending things with him was the only way to protect him but hearing him declare his love for me so publicly made me question everything.

Ford walked around from behind the podium, his gaze never wavering. “Bonnie, I published the research you helped me put together. And it worked. We succeeded. I’ve received an offer of funding to open the research center.”

I could hardly believe what I was hearing. The research center had been a dream of his, something he had worked tirelessly towards, and now it was becoming a reality.

“The thing is,” he continued, his voice softening as he looked at me with a tender smile, “the offer comes from a university in Southern California. They’ve offered me a tenured position as well.”

A gasp escaped my lips, my mind racing as I tried to process what he was saying. Southern California? Tenure? It was everything he had ever wanted, a dream job that would allow him to pursue his passions and make a difference in his field. But what did it mean for us? He was leaving Illinois, wasn’t he?

Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to comprehend the implications of his words.

He began walking down the aisle towards me, his eyes never leaving mine. My heart pounded in my chest as I realized what was happening, the world around us beginning to fade from my vision as he came closer.

“I haven’t accepted the offer yet,” he said, his voice steady and filled with determination. “I can’t. Not until I know if you’ll come with me, as my wife.”

He stopped in front of me, and the classroom fell silent. I felt all eyes on us as he got down on one knee. My heart felt like it might burst from my chest, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment.

“Bonnie Kelly, you are my North Star,” Ford continued, his voice cracking with emotion. “You shine brighter than all the other stars in the sky. You orient me, ground me, guide me. I would be lost without you. I don’t care what job I have, where I live, anything—because none of it matters if I don’t have you. I need you by my side to do this thing called life. Please, will you marry me?”

Reaching into the pocket of his jacket, he pulled out a small velvet box and opened it to reveal a simple solitaire diamond ring. It was completely the opposite of the marquise antique-style ring Jonathan had given me, with all its intricate filigree and extra adornment. Instead, the single, bright, shining diamond caught the light, sparkling like the very North Star Ford had compared me to. In its simplicity, I saw Ford’s heart, his love for me shining brighter than anything I had ever known.

As Ford knelt before me, his vulnerability laid bare for all to see, the sincerity in his eyes was undeniable. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at him, overwhelmed by the depth of his love. He was offering me everything—his heart, his future, his dreams—and I knew, without a doubt, that he was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

“Yes,” I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. “Yes, I will marry you.”

A collective gasp echoed through the room, followed by an eruption of cheers and applause that reverberated off the walls. My classmates were on their feet, clapping and cheering, their faces filled with joy and excitement.

Ford slipped the ring onto my finger, his hands steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling around us. The ring felt cool and reassuring against my skin. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry—it was a beacon of hope, a testament to the love that had brought us to this moment and would carry us forth.

Rising to his feet, he pulled me into his arms, and I knew that whatever mysterious connection it was that had drawn us together would be strong enough to hold us for a lifetime.

Epilogue

Ford

The California sun cast a warm, golden glow over the campus as I made my way to the car. It was a typical southern California afternoon, the air pleasantly mild, with a gentle breeze rustling the palm trees that lined the university walkways. I had finished my classes for the day, and as I walked through the bustling quad, I reflected on how different life had become since moving here with Bonnie.

We had been married for a year now, and the changes in our lives had been nothing short of extraordinary. After my announcement during Bonnie's MBA lecture back in Illinois, everything had moved quickly. We got married soon after in a small ceremony, surrounded by our closest friends and family. The memory of that day still lingered in my mind: Bonnie in her simple white dress, looking more beautiful than I had ever seen her, and the joy I felt finally knowing she was my wife.

The move to California had been a big step for both of us. I had accepted the position at the university, along with the exciting opportunity to open the research center I had dreamed of for so long. Bonnie had seamlessly transitioned her MBA program to a local university and started her own event planning business. She was thriving as I knew she would, her reputation quickly growing as she impressed clients with her creativity and attention to detail.

I reached my car and slid into the driver's seat, setting a bouquet of vibrant wildflowers on the passenger seat beside me. Bonnie loved flowers, and I tried to bring some home whenever I could. As I drove through the streets of our new neighborhood, I thought about how far we had come. Bonnie had made our house a home, filling it with laughter and love. Her spirit and warmth transformed every space she entered, making our home a sanctuary from the world outside because of her gentle touches.

When I pulled into the driveway, I paused for a moment, taking in the sight of our modest but cozy house. The white facade glowed in the afternoon light, and the sound of waves crashing on the nearby shore provided a soothing backdrop. It was a dream come true, living here with Bonnie, and I felt grateful every single day.

I grabbed the flowers and walked up the pathway, unlocking the front door and stepping inside. The smell of something delicious cooking greeted me, along with the sound of Bonnie humming to herself in the kitchen.

“Bonnie?” I called out, closing the door behind me. “I’m home!”

“In here!” she replied, her voice carrying a cheerful lilt.

I followed the sound of her voice and found her in the kitchen, stirring a pot on the stove. The kitchen was filled with the scent of fresh herbs and garlic, and my stomach rumbled in response.

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