Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 59489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
The class felt like it dragged on far longer than it should have, and it was a relief when I got to the end of my lecture and looked down to see there were only a handful of minutes left in the session. I gave the class their homework assignment for the night, reminded them to connect on the online platform I used to support class projects and promote engagement. Slater wasn't as technology focused as most other institutions, but I tried to find ways to incorporate more into my courses. It helped keep work organized and connected more with the students whose entire worlds were defined by technology of all kinds.
The students took notes on the assignments and filed out of the room. I didn't have another class for a few hours, so I collected my things to head to the lounge to get some coffee. As I was zipping up my bag, Camden walked up to my podium. My spine went stiff, and I felt my mouth tug down into a deep frown.
"Hey, Kristen," he said with a cautious smile.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, not bothering with the pleasant small talk.
His expression faltered. "The same thing the other students were doing. Taking the class. Your class, I guess."
"Did you follow me here?" I asked.
"What?" he responded, sounding shocked.
"Don't you think it's a little strange that we met in a bar, then suddenly you're showing up all over the place where I am? You just happen to be in the same buildings I am, you're waiting outside my class, then you show up in it?"
Camden's expression went from confused to almost offended. His eyes narrowed, and his head tilted to the side quizzically.
"Are you really asking me if I'm following you around? Like some kind of stalker?"
"It does seem like a strange coincidence," I said.
"That I was at a bar on a college campus, and then ended up on that same college campus to take classes?" he asked. "You realize you did the exact same thing. Are you stalking me?"
"I'm teaching classes, not taking them," I pointed out.
"So, you probably know that this class has had full registration for over a month. If you check your roster, you'll see my name on it," he said.
"You really are in this class?" I asked.
He nodded, and I noticed him take a slight step forward toward me. It didn't seem like he meant to take that step, but that his body did it for him. Like he was drawn closer to me. I felt the same pull but was doing everything I could to resist it. I couldn't feel the same attraction to him now knowing he was in my class. The heat was strong between us, and my lips tingled to get another of those kisses, but I had to push back against it.
"I didn't finish college when I was younger because I wanted to focus on my ranch. Now I want to get my degree and build my business further," he said. "But you didn't know that. Just like I didn't know you were a professor. I was planning on us getting to know each other when we go get drinks."
With all my discomfort trying to figure out why he was in my class, I'd forgotten about Camden's invitation to go back to the bar with him. Now that he reminded me, I knew that couldn't happen. I shook my head, slinging my bag over my shoulder.
"We shouldn't do that," I said.
Before he could protest, I turned on my heel and walked out of the lecture hall as fast as I could without breaking into a jog. The spring breeze outside cooled my sizzling cheeks when I burst out of the building, but I didn't hesitate. I didn't want to risk the chance that Camden would come out of the building to find me. I needed to get him as far out of my mind as I could. As of now, he couldn't be anything but a student.
"Now, full disclosure, I don't really remember the details of that particular encounter, but from what I do remember, he was really cute."
I gave Brianne a look and reached for another tiny organza bag to fill. The conversation didn't exactly fit thematically with creating her wedding favors for that weekend, but I had to talk it through with her. The whole situation was bothering me.
"Not remembering the details clearly is being very generous to your condition that night. I'm surprised you remember that you left home."
"I wasn't that drunk," she said. I gave her a look, and she shrugged. "All right, I was. But that's on Viv. She didn't tell me how much alcohol was in those Jell-O shots."
"Did you think she just brought you a refreshing snack?" I asked.
"Possibly." She shook her head. "Stop trying to redirect the conversation. This isn't about my bachelorette party. This is about you and the cute guy."