Page 6 of Where We Met

She doesn’t need to explain what’s going on in her head. I’m pretty sure we’re all thinking the same thing: that seeing these two attractive professors walk side by side is straight out of a porno.

Professor Luke looks at us as they pass by, nodding his head in our direction. “Ladies.”

“Okay, let’s get to the bar. We all need a drink,” I say.

It only takes us ten minutes to pile into my car and drive to the bar. When we walk in, I look around the room for an empty spot to snag. I see a high-top table in the back and make a beeline for it before anybody else can get there.

The bar is already starting to fill up as students are finishing their Friday classes. I happen to have this Friday off work, which usually doesn’t happen with my catering job, so this night comes as a much-needed break.

“Okay, I’m going to go get us all whatever’s on tap.” Shannon drops her things on a chair and walks toward the bar.

“I’ll come help,” Tricia says as she follows.

I look around at the crowd, enjoying the feeling of being out and about again. I’ve been kind of distant the last two weeks as I’ve been trying to figure out my new normal in my new apartment and newfound life of being dirt-poor.

“Holy shit.” Aubrey nudges my arm. “Look who just walked in.”

I glance across the room and my heart rate immediately picks up as I see our two professors walk into the bar. I watch on as Professor Luke motions his head to the bar and Professor Eric makes his way toward us in the back, all the way to the high-top table next to ours. He grabs a seat and takes out his phone while he waits.

Aubrey’s eyes are opened wide as her lips form a small smirk. She mouthsoh my Godin my direction and I do my best to ignore her.

“Did you guys see who’s at the bar?” Tricia laughs as her and Shannon place our beers down.

Before any of us can say anything, Professor Luke walks up to the table next to us with two beers in his hand. I motion my eyes for Tricia to look next to us so she doesn’t say something stupid and make us look like idiots.

Shannon holds up her beer for a cheers, managing to ignore the two hotties next to us. She never lets a good-looking man phase her. She’s much too spirited and energetic to let such a thing change her mood. I’m usually not too far behind her with her nonchalant way of living, but with Professor Luke in the vicinity, all bets are off.

“To our final semester together…” Shannon starts. “May we enjoy our time together and always cherish the friendships we’ve made along the way. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” We all join in and clink our glasses together.

The beer goes down smoothly as the cold contents hit the back of my throat. I can’t help but glance next to me, watching as Professor Luke laughs at something his friend says. In that moment, I make it my goal for tonight to rid myself of these stupidly inappropriate feelings this man brings out of me.

Shannon notices me eyeing the table next to us and I instantly know she's going to do something stupid when she winks at me.

She turns around in her chair. “Hey, Professor Luke.”

Shit. She really has no shame.

“Hi,” he responds to her, looking around the table. “You four are in my class, aren’t you?”

“You got that right. I’m Shannon.” She smiles and extends her arm for a handshake. “I look forward to winning the trip to Italy. I could use some Italian men in my life.”

The two men laugh at her brazen remark.

“You’re awfully confident. How do your friends feel about you claiming victory so early?” Professor Luke smiles at me.

I grin and look down at my lap.

Shannon shrugs. “We’re all adults here. I think they can handle a little friendly competition.”

“I told you that trip was going to make these kids go crazy.” Professor Eric gives Luke a stare that saysI told you so.

"Whatever I can do to make the semester more exciting,” Luke says.

“So, what year are you ladies?” Eric asks.

"We're seniors. This is our last semester,” Aubrey chimes in.

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