Page 43 of Tenure

A server shows up at the table staring at him expectantly and based on her expression, I’d say she isn’t disappointed.Cool.

“Hi, my name is—”

“I’ll have a negroni,” he interrupts her without looking at her. “Kiernan?”

I’m not old enough to drink here,I scream mentally, but he rolls his eyes at my face like he can tell what I’m thinking.

“She’ll have a glass of sauvignon blanc. Thank you.”

The girl gapes at him, and I stifle a snort.Yeah. He’s definitely a lot.She picks up what he’s putting down, which is very clearly afuck off and leave us alone, I’ll let you know when I’m ready for youvibe, and scurries away with her head down.

“Well, at least I know you’re this mean to everyone.”

“I’m not here to have a conversation with her,” he says. “I’m here to have a conversation withyou.”

“You know you’re kind of impressively romantic for a complete and total dick.”

He ignores my comment. “You should apply for exemptions to the introductory prerequisites so you can just start in the upper-level courses next fall when you come full-time. Most of thefirst-year classes aren’t like this. They’re all review and fluff. I guarantee you none of the students in those classes are reading peer reviewed journals on mathematics over breakfast.”

“I can’t get out of the prerequisites, James. They’reprerequisites.”

“You can. And you will.”

“How?”

“Prior knowledge challenge. Just write the test and you’ll get the credit.”

I chew on my lip. It would be nice to start with some of the classes I’m actually interested in, but . . .

“I don’t really want to fast-track the entire experience. The point of a four-year degree is to spend four years in school. If I challenge the first two years of my degree, I’ll be twenty when I graduate. Who would even hire me?”

“I would,” he says without hesitation, but he waves it off like it’s nothing. “Get your undergrad in two and do your master’s. Same number of years, twice the merit.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Isn’t getting into a master’s degree in this field kind of hard? I’ve heard it’s next to impossible.”

His eyes sparkle. “The admissions board is very . . .particular.”

“Is a blowjob in a park all it takes? Girls will be lining up for that deal.”

“Kiernan,” he says harshly, “I am particular about who I accept into the program because most students can’t handle the workload.”

“What if I can’t handle it either? I haven’t even taken one of your tests yet!”

“Yes, you have,” he says, pinning me with a stare.

We’re interrupted by the server dropping off our drinks. She moves so quickly it’s basically a drive-by, unwilling to linger, since we clearly haven’t touched our menus yet.

I pick up the glass and take a small sip.

“Oh!” I say, and take another. “This is nice.”

He makes a funny face. “You’ve never had wine?”

I shake my head. “High school parties are more of a vodka and cream soda crowd. Not many wine connoisseurs in twelfth grade.”

He grimaces. “Vodka and cream soda?”

I shrug. “Or beer.”

---