Page 99 of Beginning Fate

She surprised me when she hugged me.

“I’ll be in touch once we decide where we’re meeting this time.”

“Sounds good. Thanks.”

We parted ways and I went to find Kylie because I knew Denny had gone back to work and I didn’t want to disturb his first day back, though he had arranged for me to have dinner there on his shift tonight.

I found Kylie back at the temporary dorm room she was sharing with Autumn.

“Hi Lauren. Come on in.”

“Hi.”

“Kylie, can we talk?”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“I know we’ve discussed me staying here with Denny. But how would you feel if I taught ASL here?”

“What? Is that what the dean wanted to discuss with you?”

“Yes.”

I spoke aloud while signing for Autumn’s sake. It seemed rude otherwise.

“Wait, Professor Jones got back to us and said she was not staying. Are you saying that you’d be taking her spot?” Autumn asked.

“Apparently. How you feel about that, Kylie?”

“Will you teach my friends like we asked her to do?”

“Of course.”

“Of course, what?” Autumn asked.

“Of course I would teach you guys ASL. Whether you want to take the accredited class or do a basic conversations class without credit is up to you. I’d be willing to offer both.”

The more I considered it the more excited I was for the possibility.

My whole life I’d focused on my sister in a state of survival. I never even allowed myself to consider a real future. I hadn’t studied anything towards a career, though I’d insisted Kylie did. I worked multiple jobs just to make ends meet and Iwas fine with that. Coming here I realized that was not the life I wanted for myself.

Now, I had a mate and the opportunity of a lifetime.

Me? A teacher at the best shifter college in the world?

It was insane, but the more I said it, the more I believed it to be a possibility, the more I wanted it.

With Kylie’s approval, I went home to get dressed and drive myself to the restaurant to see Denny. I couldn’t wait to tell him the news.

*****

“Lauren, welcome. Denny told me you were coming in today. He’s put a table on hold for you in his section. Right this way.”

“Thanks, Monica.”

I was led to a table and sat down as I waited for my mate.

Within minutes, Denny appeared with a glass of water and leaned down to kiss me.

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