Page 88 of Olivia's Only Pretending
“You have?” I asked, trying to keep my voice professional and calm. I took a seat.
“I want to really discuss your future here at the school. I know you’re taking on a new class. You have a lot of ideas we’ve briefly touched on.” She swallowed, shuffling through a stack of papers on her desk. “But before we can start there, I do have a few questions about things that were recently brought to my attention.”
“I’d love to answer any questions you have,” I said, scooting to the edge of the chair.
“Well, are you familiar with our rules and regulations regarding relationships between professors and students?”
“Yes, of course,” I replied, caught off guard.Relationships between professors and students?My mind raced. Did this refer to my book club with the students? Was it too close, too casual?
“We have a strict policy against romantic relationships,” she said, an edge to her voice.
“I’m confused,” I stuttered. I’d never had a romantic …anything, with any students.
She cleared her throat and leveled me with a gaze. “It was brought to my attention that you are dating a student, Dr. Rhodes.”
My jaw dropped. Of all the ways I imagined this meeting going, being accused of dating a student, which was a big no-no in our faculty rules and regulations, was not one of them.
“I’m not dating a student. I’ve never dated a student and would never date a student,” I said firmly. “I don’t know who is saying otherwise, but they’re entirely mistaken.”
A groove appeared between her eyebrows.
“You’ve met the man I’m dating, or might be dating,” I stumbled over my words for a moment, “at the department dinner a few weeks ago. His name is Victor. He isnota student.”
A memory flashed through my mind: Ryan accusing Victor of being a student following me around, as a way to belittle him.He wouldn’t start this rumor, would he?
“I do remember meeting him.” Her shoulders dropped, the tension in the room melting away. “I didn’t want to believe you would do something like that, but I’m also not one to let the education and care of our students be compromised in any way. If a matter is brought up to me, I have to face it head-on.”
“I can assure you. Someone was sorely mistaken.” I placed a hand on my chest. “The education and care of our students is my biggest priority, too.”
She gave me a small smile. “I see that in you. You’re one of our best professors. I know the students love you. Our whole department loves you.”
I felt my breathing regulate for the first time all morning. “I really care about our students.”
She cleared her throat, then with a smile said, “Let’s talk about the next steps for your class. I know you’ve been considering taking on Dr. Lewis’s course idea, and I think that’s a fine idea. We’ve wanted to offer that course for a while.”
There it was, an easy route I could take: avoid putting myself out there, avoid the chance of making things more complicated or difficult, avoid any chance of rejection. I could nod along and teach a course already approved by the department.
It would make Dr. Oates happy. And it didn’t mean I wouldneverexplore my own ideas. I would just postpone a little while longer until I had more seniority.
Until the timing felt safer.
“Dr. Lewis’s course sounds great …” I began but stopped. The same part of me that cracked open to my mom and Lucy last night cracked open again. My real, honest feelings pushed to the surface. “But I actually have an idea for a class that I think our students would love. I got the idea from our campus book club.”
Her eyes lit up. “This sounds interesting. Tell me more.”
I took an excited breath before digging into the details of what I envisioned. My stomach fluttered as we spoke. We spoke at length. She got as excited as I did and helped answer even my smallest questions or doubts.
Before I left her office, she said, “I’ve seen your passion for your students and have been waiting to hear what you had up your sleeve, Dr. Rhodes.”
After my successful meeting, I was too giddy to stay indoors. I stumbled outside for a breath of fresh air. It was cool and crisp outside, with the sun hiding behind thick gray clouds. I walked down the sidewalk toward my favorite tree. Its leaves were shades of gold and red. I sank down to the ground, resting my head against the rough trunk, and closed my eyes. A breeze rustled the leaves and brought goose bumps across my skin.
My meeting had gone so well.She’s been wanting unique classes like the one I had on my mind. She was hoping my class was just the first of many like it.A smile pulled at the corners of my mouth.
I reached for my phone—an urge to share the news. On pure instinct, I pressed on Victor’s contact.
He’d been the one encouraging me to chase my passion, my inspiration, whatever it was Ireallywanted.
My finger hovered over his contact.
