Page 89 of Protect My Heart
My phone rings. Jason’s name lights up the screen. ‘I think he heard us talking about him.’ I show her my phone, then answer the call. ‘Hey, Jason.’
‘Hey. I was wondering about this weekend.’
‘What about it?’
‘I need to know what time to be there.’
‘For the graduation? I thought you weren’t coming.’
‘Of course I’m coming. It’s Saturday, right? I was thinking I could come Friday after work. We could take your parents to dinner.’
‘Um, yeah, that’d be nice.’
‘Great! I’ll be there around five. Just text me your address.’
‘Okay. But wait, don’t you have a game on Friday?’
‘It’s tonight. And tomorrow I’m having an end-of-season party for the team. Nothing fancy. Just pizza and ice cream. Mia, I hate to run, but I have to grade quizzes before class.’
‘Okay, bye.’ I end the call and text him my address.
‘What’d he want?’ Nora asks.
‘He’s coming to graduation.’ I set my phone down. ‘And he wants to take my parents out Friday night.’
‘See? He’s not angry at you. You’ve been worrying for nothing.’
‘He’s only doing this for my parents. To keep the fake engagement story going.’
‘Or he has feelings for you and wants to see you.’ She spots the professor guy by the trash can. ‘I’ll be right back.’ She bursts up from her chair, taking her tray with her. She stands beside the guy, waiting for him to clear his tray. ‘Are you new here?’
‘I am.’ He turns to her and shakes her hand. ‘Steve Wren.’
‘Nora West. Where are you from?’
‘Arizona. I worked at a small college there. I assume you work at the university?’
‘I’m a professor in the physics department.’
‘Physics.’ His brows rise. ‘Impressive. I work in the English department.’
‘Have they given you the campus tour?’
‘Briefly, but I still find myself getting lost.’
‘I’d be happy to show you around.’
‘I’d like that.’ He smiles at her like he’s interested in more than a tour. ‘Do you have time now? I’m supposed to pick up my staff ID and I have no idea where the administration building is from here.’
‘I can show you.’
‘Great! Let me get this for you.’ He takes her tray.
As he’s dumping it, Nora texts me,He’s even hotter up close! And he smells amazing!
‘Ready to go?’ the guy asks.
‘Just a minute.’ She runs over to me. ‘Sorry to rush off but—’
