Page 5 of Thinking It Over

I chuckled at that. Barb had celebrated her fiftieth birthday for at least ten years, and she was the best of PAs during office hours, while she tended to slip into the role of mother hen during every other moment. I was lucky to have her care so much.

“My plan includes a nice bottle of merlot and a walk along Jepson’s Range.” I sent her a wink. “It’s about as edgy as I have the energy for.”

Concern filled her gaze, and no doubt a lecture would soon follow. I’d much prefer to locate Jasper to get my fill—

I clamped down on my thoughts. Maybe Barb was right, and I should head out and “cut loose.” Not tonight, though, but soon.

After disengaging myself from Barb’s withering stare, I wandered toward the faculty lounge, catching up with a couple of staff along the way and saying goodbye to a few others who were heading out.

When I arrived, my gaze landed immediately on Jasper. Alone in the room, he sat at the desk, a pile of books filling the space. A pen was stuck behind his ear, and his once neat brown hair was now disheveled. It made him appear a little older than his twenty-four years. Though I’d noted he had a birthday coming up during the summer vacation, making him technically midtwenties. That sounded less inappropriate than a guy in his early twenties catching my interest.

“How’s it going?” I asked, interrupting his quiet studying.

His eyes flicked away from the laptop Barb must have hooked him up with. “Good.” An easy smile liftedhis lips, and he stretched. His gaze then flicked to his phone. “I didn’t realize it was that time already.”

“George Orwell will do that to a guy, right?”

He laughed as he picked up the copy ofAnimal Farm. “It’s a modern-day classic all right, but I’m sure my dad once told me he’d studied this at school too.”

“True.” I nodded. “I know I did.” Stepping closer to where Jasper sat, I considered the stack of books. “Jim’s pretty old-school, and I know he didn’t mix things up a great deal.”

Jasper bobbed his head in understanding. “I get it. If it ain’t broke….”

“I think some others in the English department would be anxious to explore new texts for next year.”

Eagerness filled his eyes, a reaction I liked.

“I have so many ideas and also created several units of study that still fit the curriculum. I’d be more than happy to prepare for next year.” He paused a moment, that lovely pink lighting his cheeks again. “Not that I’ll necessarily be here, but honestly, that doesn’t matter. If it helps the department and will encourage classes to get excited about literature, I’ll be more than happy.”

I reached out to the chair on the opposite side of the large desk he worked on and clamped down on the chair’s back. “I’m sure the team will be grateful.”

A nod as he closed the laptop followed.

“Did Barb set you up with everything you need?”

“Yes, thank you.” He stood. “I have a morning shift at the Split Bean, and while I spoke to my boss and he’s told me he’d sort my cover and replacement, I don’t want to let him completely down, you know?”

His consideration was endearing, and I couldn’t help but note how unusual for a man so young. Though admittedly, I had moments of being jaded—sometimes a hazard of the job. “I’ve been there,” I said. “The café. A couple of times, actually.” The place had a reputation for good coffee and great pastries. “It’s been a while, but their éclairs were phenomenal.”

“Right!” Jasper laughed. “Davis is a god in the kitchen. He’s a magician or something. And those éclairs, you’re in luck. Apparently, he didn’t used to make them often, but Scott, his fiancé, they’re his favorite. Their wedding is in a few weeks, and it’s going to be éclair heaven.”

He was almost out of breath by the time he finished. And then there was that flush.

“So,” he said, as if recovering from his oversharing, “yeah, the éclairs are great. You should definitely stop by and treat yourself. And I’d better get on out of here and let you start your weekend.”

He swooped up the books, the laptop, and his belongings while disappointment slammed into me thatour conversation was over. My brain was also trying to process everything he’d said.

His boss had a male fiancé. The information had been shared effortlessly. While that didn’t mean anything beyond Jasper’s own comfort and acceptance, a sliver of hope worked its way through me. I could only wish that at some point soon I’d discover if Jasper dated men. Though maybe I should have been hoping he was as hetero as they came. That would be the safer option.

Then there was the invite, which was most likely an innocent and friendly gesture. I was overthinking all things Jasper. Ridiculously so.

But he would be at the café tomorrow morning….

“I may just stop by tomorrow for a coffee and an éclair if they’re on the menu.”

His eyes widened just a fraction before he seemed to gather himself, and his easy smile flittered back in place. “I’ll be sure to put one aside for you.”

Overthinking. Alarm Bells. The two-finger salute to my position. The three whirled around in my brain, but rather than encouraging my headache back full force, a current of excitement shivered through me instead.

---