Page 51 of The 21-Day Boyfriend
“I haven’t seen you around much recently.”
“That’s because you don’t take my classes anymore.”
“I was thinking I might make up for that.”
“What do you mean?”
“I saw there are two spots left in the Comparative Literature course. And I’ve also noticed that you’re teaching it this semester.”
“Why would you want to take a Comparative Lit module?”
He steps closer, his hands in his pockets and his asshole manipulative gaze on me – the same as always. I can’t believe I ever fell for it, and I can’t believe he seems to have some supernatural power over me even now.
“It’s always good to have a little extra credit.”
I nod slowly and adjust my glasses, stepping towards him to speak under my breath.
“If this is a way for you to—”
“It is,professor,” he confirms, taking a step back to study me, making sure his words have the desired effect. “You bet it is.”
IGETTO THE RESTAURANT at six o’clock on the dot. Eric’s mother is already here, sitting at a table in the middle of the room.
“Hey,” Eric says, before I can head over to join her at the table. “You’re here.”
“Sorry, I’m a bit late…”
He shakes his head. “No, you’re not. I’m just… Nervous.”
“It’ll be fine, you’ll see. It’s just dinner.”
He shakes his head again. “I was scared you wouldn’t come.”
“Oh… Well, I said I’d be here.”
“You did.”
“I always stick to my word.”
Eric studies me for an indeterminably long time.
“Good to know.”
I follow him over to the table and say hello to his mother, before sitting down next to her as Eric stays standing.
“If you’ll excuse me, I want to take care of our dinner myself, tonight.”
I smile at him, an inappropriate sense of pride filling my chest.
“You’re so kind,” his mother says distractedly. “But I was hoping you’d eat with us. Don’t you want to spend some time with your mother?”
Eric grimaces, and I close my hands into fists under the table.
She didn’t understand or appreciate his gesture.
“I trust you know what you’re doing,” I say to him, as everyone’s eyes land on me. “You should trust him, too, Mrs. O’Shea.”
His mother turns slowly in her seat to look at me. I can’t tell whether or not she appreciated my little intervention. I’m guessing I’ll find out over the course of this evening.
