Tenure

35. James

35

James

I’m embarrassed to admit that I feel a bit like I’ve smoked a joint. It’s the best date I’ve ever been on, bar none. I hadn’t really thought about it much when I got in my car on a whim to pick her up, but if I had, I’d probably have started worrying about what the fuck I was going to talk about with a high school student.

Answer? Everything.

As we head towards the exit, I can’t help but wonder how long it’s been since I enjoyed myself this much.

“James?”

I pause as I see Armin meandering over, his tweed-suit buttons pulled tight across his belly. Everything about him screams “professor” and I feel Kiernan clam up next to me.

Shit.

Armin holds out his hand and we shake.

“I didn’t think you ever left the office!” he says. “Join me for a drink?”

“I’m just on my way out, Armin. Next time.”

He waves his hand. “Oh, come now, just one! I’ve been wanting to talk to you about the summer semester anyway. I was thinking we—”

“Not this time,” I say firmly. “But let’s do something next week. Alright?” He blinks at the dismissal but then his eyes finally wander over to Kiernan who is fidgeting like crazy. I fight the urge to elbow her.

Fuck it, I think, and I slide my arm around her shoulders.

Armin’s eyebrows raise but he clears his throat, obviously trying to recover from the surprise.

“Kiernan, this is Armin. Armin, Kiernan.”

She looks like she’s going to faint, but she takes Armin’s hand as he leans down and kisses the back of her hand. His lips linger, and I frown as he stands back up but doesn’t drop her fingers.

“I’ll call you,” I say, my voice sharp. He glances up at me and pales a little, dropping her hand.

“Sounds good, James. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“See you at school.”

I steer her through the doors and into the parking lot, my blood pumping and mind going a mile a minute. Why am I being like this?

But as I glance down at her, bottom lip trembling with nerves, I already know the answer.

Because she’s mine.