Page 75 of Overeager
Eli cupped Noah’s cheek. “It will be okay,” he soothed again. “There are other universities. And in the meantime …” He cocked his head, a smile that might even have been genuine playing on his lips. “Did you know I’ve always wanted to write a book? I have more than enough research material. Faith’s been hounding me about it for years. If I had a break from lectures and grading …” Eli shrugged, letting the rest go unspoken.
Noah’s smile returned. “I don’t take summer classes,” he mused tentatively. “So I have the whole summer off. The plan was for me to join my dad’s business after undergrad. But I could always decide to pursue my MBA, stay a student a while longer. We could rent a place over the summers,” he said, picking up steam. “Some cabin in the mountains or maybe on the coast. You can write. I can hike and swim and make sure you remember to eat.”
Eli could picture it. The two of them coexisted so easily together already—what would it be like to have all that time together, just the two of them?
Heaven. It would be heaven.
He pressed a kiss to Noah’s cheek. “That sounds perfect, sweetheart.” He tried to stand, only to find himself locked in place by Noah’s broad arm. He slapped at it gently. “Come on. Enough dillydallying. You need to get in touch with your professors.”
Noah nuzzled his head into Eli’s shoulder. “I have one of my professors right here.”
Eli laughed, but he still managed to slip out of Noah’s hold with some sly twisting, dancing out of his reach when Noah tried to catch him again. “No, no. No more snuggling. There’s work to be done.”
Noah had a bemused look on his face as he sat there, staring at Eli. “I’ve never seen you so … amped. I thought you’d be more upset.”
“You know what?” Eli said as he gathered both their laptops. “It’s kind of exhilarating, actually. I never got to stand up for myself much before. I’ve always been one more for … quiet perseverance, I guess. For better or for worse. But that phone call feltgood. And the meeting with the dean will go how it will go.” He placed Noah’s laptop in front of him, then leaned in close enough to poke a finger into Noah’s firm chest. “No regrets.”
Noah gave him a broad grin, dimples and all. “No regrets.”
Eli strodedown the university hallway, trying to breathe out his nerves in time with his steps. Left foot, breathe in, right foot, breathe out.
The dean had agreed to a Monday afternoon meeting, and the speed of his reply was confirmation enough that Richard hadn’t been bluffing.
The dean knew.
Eli had taken the weekend to catch up on his grading and get his classes in order. If he was fired—whenhe was fired, most likely—at least he could say he wasn’t leaving a mess for anyone. It was a small point of pride but not one he was willing to let go of.
Now the time for his reckoning had come, and Eli’s earlier bravado had fled the premises. He’d never liked getting scolded by teachers growing up—that fear of reprimand was part of what had made him such a good student—and he didn’t think he was going to enjoy getting scolded by his boss any more than that.
Still, he let himself into the outer room of the dean’s office, greeting Ashley, Dean Poke’s assistant. “Morning, Ashley.”
She smiled at him warmly. “Professor Miller.”
Ashley wasn’t looking at him like he was a creep or a pariah, so Eli had to assume she hadn’t been informed yet. He smiled back, although the gesture felt a bit awkward on his lips. “Is he ready for me?”
“Go right in.”
“Great.” Eli swallowed through a tight throat. “Thank you.”
He entered the inner office after a swift warning knock, closing the door quickly behind him. Dean Poke didn’t rise togreet him, but he did turn away from his computer, giving Eli his full attention.
“Eli.”
Apparently they were still on a first-name basis, never mind that it had been over a year since the last dinner party they’d both attended. One Richard had thrown.
“Tom,” Eli greeted, equally succinct.
The dean—Tom, to his friends—was an affable man with gray hair, a squashed nose, and a considerable paunch. He reminded Eli a bit of his own father, but he’d be mortified to admit as much out loud. Eli had always liked him well enough, but it didn’t make sitting in the hot seat any easier. It was worse, in a way, to lose the respect of someone he generally admired.
Speaking of.
Tom gestured to the chair across from his. “Take a seat, Eli.”
Eli sat, and Tom was kind enough to lay it all out immediately. “This meeting was by your request, but I’m going to go ahead and get it started, if you don’t mind.” He didn’t wait for Eli to respond either way. His face settled into a severe frown. “Richard called to inform me that you’re dating a student. One currently enrolled in one of your intro classes. A certain Noah Teller.”
“Yes, sir,” Eli confirmed. First-name basis or not, it suddenly seemed wise to be extra polite.
Tom tapped at his desk. “You’re not refuting his claim, are you?”
