Page 84 of The Love Interest
She recrosses her legs and leans forward. “I haven’t told anyone what I saw yet.”
Yet.
“But I don’t like my grade. I know you only gave out two A’s and one of them went to Fiona. Which is interesting, especially since you had been surprisingly harsh on her work in the workshop. I mean, I didn’t disagree with your assessments, of course, but there was a palpable tension between the two of you. I can’t say I noticed it before I saw what I saw. But things were much clearer to me after that. And they’re very clear to me now.” She waits for me to speak, but I don’t. She sighs, as if I’ve inconvenienced her by forcing her to tell me what she wants instead of offering it to her. “I am aware of the school’s personnel policy regarding consensual romantic and sexual relationships between teachers and students. I’m sure you are as well. It’s ‘a cause for concern.’” She takes a dramatic breath before continuing. “If you give me an A, I won’t tell the department chair what I saw. But I’ve already made an appointment with Professor Delancey at two tomorrow afternoon. So you have until then to let me know your thoughts.” She stands up, zips up her coat, smooths down her hair. “You know how to get in touch with me.”
She pauses with her hand on the doorknob. “Would you like me to leave the door open or closed?”
I glare at her.
She closes the door behind herself.
I can’t believe I didn’t even realize she was outside the door when I was cleaning up in here. I was so consumed with thoughts of Fiona I barely even heard a word Veronica said during that meeting. From September until Christmas, the words “Persons found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action and/or appropriate sanctions” marched through my head like Stormtroopers. Now the only words that come to mind when I think of Fiona are:I think I’m in love. I need to tell her.
But I need to decide what to do about this surprising development before it turns into an actual shit storm that affects my dad.
I pull out my phone and call the only person I can think of to talk to about this right now.
When she picks up, I breathe a sigh of relief. “Is this a butt dial or are you actually reading Bettina’s mind now? Because she literally just asked when you can come over.”
“I need your advice. Not as a former attorney but as my sister.”
“If you mean you don’t want me to charge you for it, then too bad. My advice is worth even more as your sister.”
That actually makes me smile a little, but I can’t laugh.
“Did I lose you?”
I scrub my face with the palm of my hand. “No. But I may have lost my head a little over here.”
“What’s wrong? Tell me?”
I don’t know what to tell Celeste, other than everything. Everything I can tell my sister, that is. So I start with the night she called me when I was on the way to the diner. Because that was when everything changed.
40
FIONA
The uneasiness I was feeling earlier today never dissipated.
Fortunately, Jed is now dating someone who owns a wine bar and Jed just bought a case of wine from him at cost. Three hours ago, I insisted that I should not start drinking before I see Emmett. I wanted to be sober when I tell Emmett that I love him for the first time. Two hours ago, I agreed that it was rude to let Jed drink by himself.
Now I’m feeling fairly tipsy and very uneasy because I haven’t heard from Emmett at all this evening. I called him an hour ago and it went straight to voicemail, but I didn’t leave a message. An hour later I sent a heart emoji text. After I started drinking, I sent him an eggplant emoji. Followed by an angel face emoji. Followed by a grimacing face emoji fifteen minutes later.
I need to separate myself from my phone so I don’t text him something really stupid. Keiko has been in our room for the past hour, so I’m trying not to go in there. That’s a problem because the wine is out here and Jed keeps filling my glass so I have no idea how much wine I’ve consumed. Somewhere between two glasses and way toomush.
“You should send him a nipple pic,” Jed advises.
“I’m not sending him a photo of my nipple, Jedediah. He’s still myprofeshor.” That sends me into hysterics. “I saidprofeshor.”
“I wasn’t suggesting you send him a pic ofyournipple.” He lifts up his shirt to expose one of his nips and then frowns when I tip over on the sofa, laughing.
Tears are streaming down my face, but it wasn’t that funny. I am so nervous about Emmett. I hug a throw pillow to my chest. “What if it’s over? What if I never see him again?”
“I think you’re overreacting,” Jed says, sounding very sage-like and reasonable. “You should text him again.” He hands me my phone. “Have another big gulp of wine first.”
I sit up and take the phone and the wineglass from him. “You’re right.” I take two big gulps of wine because I am an overachiever.
ME: Hi! I how you happy a wondering not. I knowing well said well meet up tonight but it’s totally that I have health from you. Just wait you to know that! I’m hanging our with my roommate and well have wine so I’m super Christmas.
