Page 8 of Olivia's Only Pretending
Three
Tall trees with autumnal leaves freshly turning scattered the campus. We walked the sidewalk paths, weaving through the green lawns peppered with students hauling thick books and shouting across the way to one another. Red brick buildings surrounded us.
“Our campus is pretty small in comparison to big universities,” I said, leading him toward the history building where I taught. “But I love it.”
“I can see why. It’s charming.” He grinned. “You walk this way every day?”
“Every day.” I nodded. I tipped my chin toward the building ahead. “That’s where my office is and where I lecture.”
“I want to sit in on one of your lectures,” Victor said, pushing back his hood and running a hand through his hair. “What if I crashed one of your classes one day?”
“Please don’t. I can only imagine the chaos you’d cause.”
“Like interrupting class to confess my undying love?”
I elbowed him. “Shut up.”
We passed the fountain in the center of campus, weaving right toward a patch of grass shaded by a big oak tree. Its leaveswere just starting to crisp, the colors fading. I came to a halt in front of it.
“This is my favorite tree.” I patted the trunk fondly.
“It’s a mighty fine tree,” Victor said, giving it a once-over.
“It’s where I come to work sometimes. I eat my lunch here. Sometimes, I read. My book club meets under it.”
“The cartoon book club?” Victor asked, crossing his arms.
“Myromancebook club, yes,” I corrected him. A few students and I had bonded over our affinity for romance novels, so we started meeting to talk about them. Word got out, and the club kept growing.
Now, it was a big book club that met once a month outside the history building by the oak tree. It had become a respite for all of us during the ups and downs of tough semesters and dense reading assignments. I even had a couple of students write me a thank-you letter for starting it, even though it was kind of an accident.
“I like that you share your favorite tree.” He reached up and rubbed a leaf between his fingers.
“I’m happy to share it. You can come sit by my tree anytime, you know.” For a moment, I imagined how nice it would be to have Victor invade all the areas of my life—not just renovations and friendly hangouts, but getting to have him everywhere.
His eyes landed on mine, making me feel like the sun was shining directly on me.
“Oh, next you have to see my coffee stand!” I grabbed his hand and pulled him down the sidewalk to the little coffee cart outside the steps of the history building.
“Today is fun,” he said, trailing behind me.
We chatted in line waiting for coffee, and I told him more of the school’s history than he’d probably wanted to hear. Eventually, it was our turn to order.
A new barista stood behind the counter—someone I’d never seen before. “Hi,” I greeted her, but her big green eyes weren’t on me.
“Victor?” she squealed, tucking a long strand of blonde hair behind her ear.
“Hey there,” Victor said, all friendly. He paused, just for a second, scanning her, and only I could tell he was trying to remember her name. “Annie!”
“What are you doing here?” she demanded flirtatiously. “What got you out of Sweet River?”
“I’m here with Olivia.” He slung an arm around my shoulder. “She’s a professor here.”
Her face fell. He made us sound like a couple. Before I could clarify or say something about how we were just good friends, Victor blew right past it, asking her how long she’d worked here and how she’d been. They chit-chatted while we ordered, typical small talk.
I smiled along, but inside, I felt like a balloon with all the air sucked out of it. Totally deflated.
My sisters were always asking why I didn’t date Victor. There was an evident attraction between us. I’d never pretend there wasn’t. We obviously got along.
