Page 50 of The 21-Day Boyfriend
I stop in the faculty corridor.
“Did something happen?”
“She’s coming here. Tonight. For dinner,” Eric tells me, agitated. “She’s coming for dinner in the restaurant.”
“Okay…”
I hear him sigh heavily. “This has never happened before. She’s never been here.”
I don’t know what to say. I’m scared this thing is already doing more harm than it should.
“I…” He clears his throat. “I need you.”
I’m speechless, my phone grasped tightly in my hand, pressed against my ear.
“Do you want me to…”
“Please.”
I smile, letting go the tension accumulating on my shoulders.
“I need you,” he says again, his voice scratchy with fear that I’ll say no.
“I’m free.”
“Really?”
“I’ll happily come to the restaurant.”
Another sigh, this time heavier.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You could start by saying you’ll pay.”
He laughs. “Obviously.”
“What time do you want me to come?”
“Is six okay? I’ve asked my sous-chef to take over for a while so I can eat with you.”
“Six. I’ll be there.”
“So… See you tonight, then.”
“See you tonight.”
I hang up, a smile still playing at my lips, my phone hugged against my chest, and a new and dangerous emotion trickling through my veins.
I know it’s wrong for me to feel like this – I know this whole thing is wrong. But I’m involved now, right? Twenty-one days – twenty, now. What could possibly go wrong?
“Professor…” His voice brings me straight back down to Earth.
“Mr. Walsh,” I say, cordial.
“You’re looking well.”
I hold back the response he deserves and simply nod.
