Page 45 of One Night With My Grumpy Professor Daddy

“Hey there, pumpkin,” I reply, trying to match her energy. “How was your day?”

“It was great! Guess what?”

“What?”

“I spoke to Katie today.”

The name Katie sends bells off in my head. “Katie? The girl who made fun of you?”

I frown, ready to defend my princess. I thought we decided the girls would be separated.

“I met her on the playground,” she says. Answering my confusion about how they met up. “She tried to bother me again today, but I handled it just like Ava told me. I stayed strong, and she backed off. And then I told her that if she’s nice to me, I’ll let her be my friend.”

Pride swells in me as I listen to her explain. I’d told my daughter to avoid the girl. But it seems that Ava’s guidance has an even better effect, and it feels good to hear that Zoe stood up for herself. “I didn’t let her words bother me because I am awesome!”

“You are… that’s fantastic, Zoe! I’m so proud of you, honey, and I know Ava will be too if she hears how brave you were.”

“Yeah! I can’t wait to tell Ava.” Zoe says, and then her voice shifts from excited to curious. “Dad? is Ava your best friend?”

It’s a simple question, but it sets my thoughts into a whirlwind. I know that Zoe is smart enough not to be deceived by a dismissive answer, so I choose my words carefully.

“Well, Ava is one of the very few people that I can talk to and be comfortable around. She listens to me and cares for me.”

“Just like she did with me,” Zoe chimes.

“Exactly.”

“So, she’s an… extra special friend?”

“Yes, sweetie. An extra, special friend,” I echo back.

However, all throughout the day, and even late at night when lying in bed, the silence of my home envelops me, Zoe’s innocent question echoes in my mind.

What is Ava to me?

Chapter twenty-seven

Ava

“You’ve got this, Ava; you can do this.”

I stare at my books as the pressure of final exams looms over me. I try to convince myself one more time I can, indeed, do this. A soft knock on the door distracts me from my thoughts. A delivery man is holding out a little box, a cake and a bouquet of flowers. He announces, “Delivery for Ava.”

Curious, I sign for them. After closing the door, I take a minute to examine the box before opening it to reveal a beautiful diamond tennis bracelet with a card that reads:

“You’ve got this kitten. Ava, when I was your professor, I wasn’t at liberty to say, but now that I’m not, I can confidently tell you that you’re the smartest student I’ve taught. I have one hundred percent trust that you’ve got this. Knock those exams out of the park. - Drake.”

Holy shit… It’s gorgeous. My heart flutters and heat engulfs my body. I don’t know about you, but this is some gift for a professor to give to his student. Why would Drake give me such an expensive gift? Warmth spreads through my chest, a mixture of surprise and disbelief fills me. I place the cake down, and feeling an insurgence of happiness, I do a little dance, overwhelmed with excitement, I have to move the energy through me. I read the note over and over again and allow myself to be filled with the warm feeling that’s spreading throughout my entirety.

I take out my phone with shaky hands and begin to type a thank you message to him. Maybe I could find time between studying so we can see each other, maybe at least talk…

The phone in my hand suddenly rings, startling me as the word ‘Mom’ appears on the screen. The timing is odd, and a flurry of emotions shoots through me…An eerie combination of shame, anxiety, fear, and guilt. I shouldn’t be thinking about Drake; I shouldn’t be fraternizing with the son of a man who ruined my family, especially not when the exams that may make or mar my life lie ahead. The phone is still ringing, and I take a deep breath before I pick it up.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, Sweetheart. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck on your exams. I know you’ll do great.” What should be an encouragement suddenly sounds like a forewarning.

“Thanks,” I reply awkwardly. Talking to my mom is never awkward, even after the scandal, she was the one to make me feel like we could still talk like friends. But today, things feel… tight.

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