Page 26 of Falling for Mindy

“Yeah, but my problem was how I thought women who worked there were trashy or unfeminist or something. When the fact is, if I’m going to go around talking about how women can do what they want with their bodies and should have autonomy, I’m a hypocrite if I judge women who earn money as Hooters waitresses or strippers. I had this shitty—sorry, this unfair idea that I was better than them,” I said, “and I was really uncomfortable when I figured that out.”

“What did you do about it?”

“Katie and I found the nearest Hooters, went there, and left a big tip after we ate. Katie even posted a pic on social media of us there. Because either I’m in solidarity with women or I’m in an ivory tower helping no one.”

“That’s true and it’s admirable. But I’m sure you understand why I won’t be going to Hooters and posting a picture. As a white man, I have influence and I can command attention, but it would be creepy at best if I posed with Hooters waitresses.”

“Yeah, don’t do that,” I said with a laugh.

I was grinning at him and thinking how easy it was to talk with him. I didn’t really want the conversation to end, but my stomach let out a huge, T-rex level growl right then. I glanced at my midsection and looked up at him.

“Is that the time already?” he asked, glancing at the clock on the wall. I was just as surprised as he was. It was over an hour past the end of my meeting with him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you here so late.”

“No worries. I feel a lot better after talking to you about Alicia. I’ll get out of here.” I gathered my things and got to my feet. I excused myself and decided to grab something quick to eat.

I had yogurt and salad at home, but I was in the mood for a cheeseburger and fries. I headed to Cal’s, my favorite local burger joint, and hoped it wouldn’t be too crowded.

CHAPTER 14

KYLE

Never mind the fact that I had plenty of food at home since I did my meal prep on Sundays. I decided to indulge. I like to eat a healthy diet and exercise six days a week. But part of health is moderation, and I knew when to let myself have a little slack. On my way home, I swung my car into the lot at a burger joint I hadn’t been to in ages. Usually if I ate out, I went for Japanese, but tonight, I wanted something quick, specifically the bacon burger with avocado at Cal’s.

Standing in line to make my takeout order, I saw that the place was as packed as I’d expected it to be at this time of the evening. When I got to the counter, I quit scrolling the headlines on my phone and glanced around. I saw Mindy sitting alone at a table. On a whim, I made my order for dine-in instead of taking it to go. When I had my tray, I went over to her table. She looked up from her phone and grinned, a smile that indicated she was happy to see me, natural, not awkward or unsure.

“Have a seat,” she said, moving her drink over to make more room.

I sat across from her and found that I was happy to sit and eat at a table with her. Never once in five years had I joined a student for a meal or a drink. Not since the ill-advised holiday party I held the first semester I taught. I shook my head at the memory.

“What’s wrong?” she said, taking a huge bite of her cheeseburger.

“Nothing. I was just thinking of the time I thought it would be fun to have the students from my senior independent study course over to my house for a holiday dinner.”

“How’d that go?” she asked mischievously.

“I didn’t serve alcohol. I ordered pizza. I had sodas for them. They brought booze. By the end of the party, I’d had to break up a game of spin the bottle and sent two of them home in an Uber. I paid the driver extra to let me know they got inside their apartment safely because they were half drunk. And I considered moving so no one would know my address,” I said. She laughed.

“That’s about how I figured it would go. Don’t you know college students are about as mature as twelve-year-olds?”

“I found out the hard way. I thought they’d enjoy relaxing and discussing their final projects. I have no idea why I thought that was a good idea. But it’s the last time I ever did something like that.”

“Yeah,” she said. “You know Dr. Amboy does an end of semester potluck, but the rules are pretty clear. No booze, no shenanigans. And if you have to ask what she means by shenanigans, you’re not invited.”

“She’s a brave woman,” I said. “Braver than me.”

“Most of the professors don’t mix with the students. Except that creeper in the math department,” she made a face.

“Stay away from him,” I warned. “And have your sister stay away from him, too. If he offers you extra help, report him.”

“We know,” she said, “but thanks for the heads-up. The first day Katie had his class, she messaged me and said, ‘this call-me-Nat prof is shady as fuck’. Sorry—I didn’t mean to cuss in front of you. Again.”

“Don’t apologize. Although now I’m concerned you’d think it was shady as fuck if I told you to call me Kyle.”

“That’s different. I’m not eighteen years old, which she was, and you’re not a predator offering me extra help after hours,” she said, “it’s so obviously different.”

“Maybe not to everyone,” I said carefully, “if you’re uncomfortable with me sitting here—” I cleared my throat and she laughed.

“Oh my God, would you stop? You’re not him! Plus, I asked you to sit with me. After I hung out in your office way past time to go because I like talking to you. Quit acting weird. It’s not weird. Plus, if you’re worried that I’m uncomfortable—which I’m not—then it shows you’re not harassing anyone. Here,” she offered me a fry. “Eat something and calm down.”

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