Page 44 of Roman
“An enforcer,” I said, interrupting. “Sorry. I feel like an ass because I never made the connection. That means your father is Rainier and…oh, that’s how.”
Calum laughed. “I am really surprised since both of your brothers arenottigers.”
I winced. “True. I have spent so much time stuck in such a small circle that I didn’t think outside of the fact that you are a fox and I was trying to think of other fox shifters,” I whispered. We were basically alone in the hallway, but I was still being cautious.
“I’m the only one that took after our omega dad. Pierre still lives in Europe, and I’m not sure we’ll ever get him out of there. Or out enough to meet his perfect someone.” Calum patted me on the shoulder, and I started walking with him again. “This floor is all of the offices. All of the classrooms are on the second floor.”
I looked back down the hallway and realized there were a lot of offices. “Are all of these offices for instructors? Or are there general admin offices as well?”
“Both,” Calum said. He gestured for me to go to the left, and it was obvious that the room he was directing us to was anadministration office. The double windows on either side of the door gave everyone a clear view of what looked to be an office at a high school. Calum opened the door, allowing me to enter first. I did, and it seemed as if all eyes were suddenly on me. Calum came in behind me and tilted his head toward the counter.
As we approached, an older woman, most likely in her sixties, if I were to guess, approached from the other side. “I know who you are, Dr. Ward, but I’m not sure about your companion here.”
“Gladys, it’s so good to see you again,” Calum said.
“Of course it is. But don’t think I’m going to let you leave without you showing me a picture of your precious baby girl.” Gladys smiled. “How are she and Asher doing?”
“Good. She’s keeping Asher busy, but that’s expected,” Calum said as he pulled out his phone. He opened up his photos app, and after he found a specific image, he turned it to show Gladys.
“Oh, look at her. She’s growing so fast.”
Calum smiled. He was an obviously proud alpha father, but Gladys wouldn’t know that. “She is. Asher has already started hinting at the fact he’d like to look into adopting another.”
I had to roll my lips inward a bit to keep from smiling at the lie that I knew Calum had just given. There would be no need for them to adopt as Asher would be able to give Calum babies just as Beau would me.
“Well, you best work on that and keep your hubby happy,” Gladys said. “Now, tell me who you have with you so I don’t have to make two trips. You know how much these old bones can ache at times.” Gladys looked over at me, then back at Calum. “That is, unless the two of you don’t know each other.”
Calum smiled. “We do, actually. This is Roman Nelson. He’s one of the new history professors.”
“Ah. Yes, we have all been curious about him.” Gladys stared at me for a long moment before she narrowed her eyes. “Youlook too young to have your PhD.” Gladys shook her head before pointing at Calum. “Then again, so does he. I don’t suppose either of you are willing to share your beauty secrets.”
“Umm…” I looked to Calum for guidance. I had no idea what to make of Gladys. She seemed nice enough, but perhaps a bit…nosey?
A throat clearing had Gladys rolling her eyes. “I’ll get your packets,” she said before she looked directly at me. “I have a few extra papers for you to sign,” she said before she turned and walked to the other side of the room. I glanced at Calum, who looked like he was trying not to laugh. I had no doubt he would fill me in once we were back in the hallway, but any chance of discussing anything in here went out the window at the appearance of a man who looked to be about Gladys’s age.
“Director May,” Calum said, immediately cluing me in as to who was standing in front of us. I tried to stand up a bit taller, but I was already standing at my full height.
“Dr. Ward, welcome back,” Director May said. He then focused on me. “It’s good to have you as a new addition, Dr. Nelson.” He paused for a moment before he huffed a bit and then nodded. “Montana is quite a distance from Georgia.”
I nodded. “It is indeed. Montana just happens to be where my brothers and I settled.”
Director May stared at me a moment before he nodded. “Well, welcome. We’re happy to have the position filled after it being empty for so long.”
“I’m happy that Calum suggested it.”
“Here you are,” Gladys said as she returned. She handed a large envelope to Calum, who took it and held it up in thanks.
“You said I needed to sign some papers?”
“Yes. There were a few that seemed to have been overlooked when you did your onboarding,” Gladys said.
I nodded. I wasn’t sure what all had been missed, but if there was more paperwork to be signed, then I’d practice my signature.
“Here,” Gladys said as she pulled out a page that had a bright pink tab stuck to the side of it. “And this one.” She pulled out more papers and finally found what she was looking for. “Here’s the third,” she told me as she pulled out a yellow form. “You didn’t fill out your spouse’s information for the medical insurance or the life insurance.”
“Oh, I’m not married,” I said without thinking. Immediately, I looked at Calum with wide eyes. Shit.
“Yeah, but you two are almost married. Your wedding is within the next month,” Calum said while looking at me intensely.
