Page 9 of Tops
“Vanessa,” I said, turning back to Professor Cage with a polite smile before breezing in the door. I started my name exchange with everyone in the room as we all spread out and engaged in everyday conversation. Professor Cage shut the door after he entered, and the voices quieted but continued. He gave a slight nod of approval, and the students’ voices rose.
“Arizona,” I said, pointing to the girl’s backpack as I saw her approach.
She gave me a broad smile, extending her hand to shake. “I didn’t get yours, though.”
“Nessa,” I said.
“Nessa. Professor Cage, her secret agent double name she was debating earlier, is Nessa. Might want to make sure both names get run through her federal check,” the guy from the hall who put his hand on me shouted out to the entire room.
I felt my cheeks heat as I attempted to push down my embarrassment. Hannah never was around when her advice bit me in the ass. She was always going on and on about me standing up for myself and being a little more assertive.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Professor Cage said, looking at me before winking.
More heat. All through me now.
Was I attracted to my professor?
I think I really was.
Fuck.
A light turned on above the couch, illuminating Hannah sitting in the dark, waiting for me to walk through the apartment door. It was almost eleven.
“You would not believe what my professor had us do tonight,” I laughed, setting my backpack on the ledge.
“Were you with Tanner?” Hannah snipped, making my whole body stop.
Turning to her in what felt like slow motion as my brain attempted yet failed to make the same leaps she did. She must have a fucking mental pole vaulter in her mind to be jumping to shit like that.
“Why would I be with Tanner? You were there for most of our interactions. I’m pretty sure I completely wrecked his night. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m banned from stepping foot in Tops ever again.”
“He called me today,” Hannah started, her voice slightly hitched. “The first time Tanner Ryland calls me is to ask about you.” Her tone entirely accusing at the end.
“What the actual fuck, Hannah? Are you seriously mad that your boss called you about me? One, I wasn’t even aware of that conversation. Two, I know how you feel about Tanner. Yes, he is insanely hot, as you have described him. But I’m pretty sure he hates me, Hannah.” I flicked on the overhead light before sitting next to her melodramatic ass. She was trying to teach me to let go a little more, and I was trying to teach her how to calm down before jumping to assumptions.
“I thought you two decided to have a secret affair in his office. Hiding it from me. Laughing behind my back,” Hannah confessed. Some tears and a little bit of laughter escaped her. She was getting much better about realizing the spirals of her mind.
“Ok, let’s go with your worst-case scenario. After meeting this crazy screaming woman who took his phone hostage, Tanner decidesyes, I need that.” I made my best impression of Tanner’s voice, which sounded nothing like him. But it did make Hannah laugh a little. “So, he calls you; my gorgeous, limber, mildly intimidating roommate. Even though,” I exclaimed, pointing my finger to the sky as I brought down this logic bomb. “He has my phone number, so he wouldn’t need to call you to arrange a meeting with me.”
I let silence ring after my last bit. Watching Hannah’s brain attempt to shove that little nugget inside her well-crafted villain fantasy plot.
“And if he was interested in me, do you think I’m that kind of friend?” My voice was soft as I looked my best friend in her eyes.
“He would be lucky to have someone like you,” she said with a smile, her hand coming over to rest on top of mine.
“I don’t think you need to worry about Tanner being interested in me. Other than chopping up my body into little pieces and making me disappear rather than risking bumping into me.”
Hannah snorted a laugh, covering her mouth as her back straightened up. “You don’t like him, do you?”
“I mean, I don’t have a reason not to like him. I judged him before I even knew what was going on. There isn’t a reason I would want to endure his presence again because of the sheer amount of embarrassment that will constantly hang over my head. This is a matter of first impressions actually mattering.”
“You know, weirdly, I can see it now. I think the two of you would be cute together. If you ever get a chance to see his dick, you better not turn that down. And I want full details,” Hannah said with a strange little smirk on her face.
“You went from pissed at me for imaginary sex to demanding I take part in this imaginary sex. And I’m sure you have not forgotten that I’m still not looking for a relationship right now,” I said, getting up and heading toward the kitchen for a glass of wine. Might as well pour one for Hannah, too. Tomorrow was clear now that anthropology moved. I could stay in and work on some of my online credits. Maybe just watch movies in bed all day. I was pretty sure the weather called for rain tomorrow.
I handed Hannah her glass of wine, and she gave me an apologetic smile. “You know you don’t need to lose your virginity in a relationship. You could just go out and have fun. That way, you’re ready to settle down here in a year. When you leave me,” she jutted her lower lip in an impressive pout. She wasn’t ready to leave New York yet. After this year, we would officially part ways.
“My new professor is really hot,” I said, catching her off guard with a smirk. I sort of caught myself off guard as well. I hadn’t planned to tell anyone that little revelation I made today.
