Page 9 of Fall Twice

Lena steps away, and I know she wants me to lead. “We should stay in touch since we’re practically neighbors,” I suggest.

“Sounds like a plan.”

We both stall, and when she is about to pivot to leave, I don’t hold back. “I don’t know if you have any plans tomorrow, but I only have a morning lecture. We could grab lunch, or I could help you with any moving logistics.” It sounds casual enough, an offer a friend would make.

Her face lifts, and the corners of her mouth twist. “That would be great. Tomorrow then.” She turns to walk away but stops and looks over her shoulder at me. “Good night, Reid.”

My mouth quirks at her sentimental tone before we finally part ways.

4

LENA

Islide into the second row of the lecture hall as the busy room gets settled. Reid just entered, but he has no clue I’m here—hazards of the university publishing the class schedules online.

Turns out my morning errands went quicker than planned, and I figured this would be kind of fun. I sip on my to-go cup of tea as I watch the students pull out their tablets and laptops. It may have been a decade ago, but we were more paper notebook kind of people.

I glance down at my phone.

Annie: Should I just hand you the match since you’re seeing him again?

I roll my eyes. We spoke last night, and I caught her up. I’m positive it was five minutes before she stopped a slur of continuousno ways.

Me: Considering how my year has gone, trust me, that romance is nowhere on my agenda. Especially with Reid.

Annie: I’m going to grab my popcorn.

I turn my phone face down to ignore her.

Reid closes the door, then turns on the PowerPoint presentation with a little remote as he perches on the edge of the desk like he owns the place. I’m curious how long it will take for him to notice that I’m here unexpectedly. There are about fifty people in the auditorium.

He pushes his blazer to the side as he tucks a hand in his jeans pocket. “Okay, everyone, we’re going to get right into it. If you are here today and haven’t handed in your assignment due yesterday, then you best believe you are seeing me after class.”

A few from the crowd chuckle, and I have to smile to myself. I can picture Reid as relatable to the students, but a complete hard-ass when needed. My eyes blink closed for a second, and I remember sitting in a similar row and the way we would chat before the start of a lecture or how he would look over my shoulder at my notes.

Here he is, the ruler of the kingdom.

This isn’t how I predicted my week would go. I didn’t expect for him to be single, a survivor, or the guy that feels like a magnet when I’m around him. Nor did I plan for us to see one another again. This morning I woke after the shock had worn off and found instead that relief filled me, that in a way Reid and I have both had a loss, and for that, we can relate to each other more than with other people.

Reid propels off the desk to pace a few steps as he changes slides. “We continue our journey to understand Glasnost at the end of the Cold War.” His eyes scan the room, and when he spots me, I flash my eyes. He pauses for a second in his speech and I see the subtle tick of his jaw as if he wants to smile, but he stops himself and continues.

The entire hour, I watch in awe at the way he captivates the room. He knows when to ask questions and invites discussion. By the time the lecture is finished, I can’t help but smile at the way Professor Reid is in reality.

I stay put as a group of students approach him, and behind me, I hear two girls speaking in hushed tones. “I fucking hate this topic, but I will literally listen to him talk about rice if it means I can stare at him for an hour,” one of the girls mentions, and I try to keep my chuckle from escaping. “I would kill to have him as my thesis advisor and have weekly one-on-ones. I bet we could negotiate some extra credit.” The other sighs.

Now, I just shake my head gently to myself. With the room becoming more vacant, I slowly approach the professor as he leans against the desk.

“Professor Stone” I greet him with knowing eyes.

His grin now emerges as he scans the room. “Wasn’t expecting you here.”

“I know we were going to meet for lunch, but I couldn’t resist.” I smile as I stand in front of him. “It was too easy, and besides, I hear extra credit could be fun with you.” I wink.

He scratches his cheek as he keeps his grin in control. “I don’t even want to know.”

“You have a fan club.” I tilt my head in the direction of the door.

“And you are probably the guest of honor at their meetup this week,” he jokes as he packs up his laptop.

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