Page 41 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

“I didn’t realize you were going to make yourself so at home. I’ve been gone thirty minutes.”

“Just filling in,” Gio says, completely unfazed. Clueless. “I’m a natural. In fact, hook me up with a lecture hall and I’ll give a speech.”

“Don’t doubt it,” I deadpan, shooing him out of my seat so I can sit.

Rachel clears her throat, clearly sensing the shift in the room. “Um, Professor Adams, I stopped by to ask about the extra creditassignment for next week? Uh. I was wondering if you were willing to extend the deadline?”

She knows my policy on making exceptions: there are none.

“Put that in an email and I’ll get back to you by the end of the day,” I tell her, cutting her off so she can’t linger.

Rachel steals another lovesick glance at Gio.

“Oh. Okay.” She glances at him one last time, her curiosity evident, before scurrying out the door.

Paul, however, remains, torn between staying and leaving.

“Paul,” I say pointedly, raising my brows.

“Right, yep, I’m going,” he says, holding up his hands in mock surrender. But just as he reaches the doorway, he pauses, turning back to grin at me. “For the record, Gio is awesome. You should give him a chance.”

I’m startled, caught completely off guard as Paul finally steps out and the door clicks shut behind him.

What on Earth were they yapping about while I was stuck in my meeting?

The door clicks shut.

I turn my attention back to Gio, who’s now lounging in the chair opposite my desk, looking completely at ease—as if he belongs here, as if he hadn’t just derailed my entire day.

“Give you a chance?” I repeat, narrowing my eyes at him. “Care to explain what that’s supposed to mean?”

Gio leans back, his grin widening as he stretches his arms behind his head. “We were just talking. Paul asked some questions, I answered. Nothing scandalous.”

His eyes are practically sparkling as he watches me cross my arms over my chest.

“I doubt that.”

He raises a brow, his expression one of mock innocence.

“What? You think I was out here spreading lies?”

“I think,” I say slowly, “you were probably out here charming the pants off my students—and have not tried explaining to me what you’re doing here.”

He shrugs, completely unbothered. “Seemed like the best way to see you.”

I stare, dumbfounded. “Have you ever heard of texting? Or calling? Or literally any other normal method of communication?”

“Sure,” he says easily. “But where’s the fun in that?”

“You’re not supposed to show up at a person’s office unannounced—I wouldn’t do that toyou.”

“Right. You were giventicketsto my office.”

My mouth gapes. “That is not the same thing and you know it!”

“Isn’t it?”

“No!” I practically shout, eyes darting to the closed door. I lower my voice, pointing a finger at him. “This iscompletelydifferent.”

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