Page 124 of Because of Dylan

Dylan.

He’s leaning on the tree, legs crossed at the ankles, hands in his jacket pocket, looking casual and absolutely perfect.

He pushes off of the tree and takes lazy steps my way. People call his name and wave. He acknowledges them and continues to walk in my direction. My heart takes a dive into my stomach when he stands in front of me. He hasn’t shaved in a few days.

My hands ache to touch him, I cross my arms and grasp my elbows.

A lazy, sexy smile grazes his lips. “Hi.”

I want to taste that smile. “Hi.”

He flexes his fingers, steps closer, inches between us. “You did it.”

“I did it.” Everything and everyone fades away. It’s just the two of us standing here.

He reaches for me, touches the tassel, letting it slide between his fingers. “You’re all done now.”

Shivers run down my spine, and it has nothing to do with the cool breeze ruffling my hair. “Not quite. I got accepted for a master’s program. Starting all over again in September.”

“Here?” He searches my face, a smile spreading on his lips.

“No.”

His face falls, the smile gone. “Where?”

“UV.”

“As in the University of Vermont?”

“That’s the one.”

His smile returns. “Not too far, then.”

“No, thirty minutes away.”

“Why? I thought you wanted to stay here and work with Magda.”

“I did. I do. I’ll still work with her. She’s helping me with a job. But there was another little matter to deal with.”

He tilts his head. “Which little matter?”

“You know, the matter of a grad student dating a professor.”

His smile broadens. “You know there’s no policy in the books against it, right?”

“I do. But still. I didn’t want to call attention to it and have anyone talking. Especially when he’s a professor of ethics.”

“A professor of ethics, huh? Who’s this lucky guy you plan on dating?”

I almost make a joke, come up with something clever or evasive. But decide the plain truth is best. “You.”

“Oh my God, get a room already. The eye-fucking is killing me!”

River. Of course it had to be her. So much for not calling attention to us and having people talking. Everyone is looking for whom she’s talking about. We take a step back from each other.

“Nothing to see here, move along, people. You graduated, now go away.” She approaches us, followed by her new guy. She engulfs me in a tight hug, then play-hits Dylan in the shoulder. His reaction is comical. Brows pop up, he sidesteps and glances at me.

“I knew it.” River goes on. “Called it almost a year ago. First week of classes.”

---