Chapter 5

• They stayed in the coffee shop until closing time. The hours passed by like minutes, and while Professor Henderson chose to listen more than talk, Hayleigh grew comfortable talking about anything and everything with him. She shared her passions, hobbies, worries... practically her whole life story, and it felt good to confide in someone again. In turn he offered advice that only someone of his age could give, and by the end of the night, she felt infinitely closer to him than she’d been with anyone in a long while.
• “You’d make more money as a therapist than as a Math teacher,” she concluded as his car stopped in the parking lot of her dormitory. “Ever considered switching careers?”
• “I’m on a bond with this university,” he answered. “In return for teaching, they absorb some of my student loan.”
• “That’s not a bad setup. Maybe I should do the same.”
• “If you’re fine earning less for a few years, then go ahead.”
• “Is that why you look like you hate teaching?”
• He pulled on the brake. “Excuse me?”
• Hayleigh bit her tongue. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me.”
• A hollow laugh rumbled in his throat. “No, it’s a fair observation. I’ve been teaching for five years. But I’ll say this: I dislike teaching less than I did when I first started.”
• “Ever thought of changing your teaching style? You know, maybe be less strict or something?”
• “No. It’s easy for students your age not to take things seriously. It’s easier to manage fearful students than unruly ones.”
• “So like a dictatorship.”
• He chuckled. “Something like that.”
• “You’re crazy.” She shook her head with a laugh, which continued to an unstoppable giggle. “I’m sorry. I think I’ve had too much caffeine.”
• He only regarded her with a pensive smile. Over the course of that afternoon his smiles were always reserved and far in between, and usually no more than a smirk at best. It almost felt like an achievement to earn one in succession now, aimed directly at her.
• Suddenly, that realization made her become hyper-aware of everything, from the quiet darkness outside to the way he felt closer beside her inside the car.
• Hayleigh uneasily cleared her throat. “Well, I had fun today.”
• “Me too,“ he said. “Let’s do this again sometime.”
• Despite having spent most of the day with him, she was still yet to figure out what he must’ve seen in her to ask her out. It felt wrong to keep questioning it, and yet it nagged in the back of her mind. Perhaps if he wasn’t her teacher, it wouldn’t bother her as much...
• “Thanks for driving me home, Professor.” She undid her seatbelt. “You didn’t have to.”
• “Call me Rowen, please.” He shifted in his seat to face her completely. “And I hope it’s okay if I call you Hayleigh.”
• “That’s fine,” she said in a small voice. Her gaze darted to the steering wheel, to anywhere else except those intense, grey eyes. Her heart began to race, though it was hard to tell how much of it was from the coffee.
• She placed a hand on the door. “Well, have a good night.”
• His fingers gently reached for her arm to hold her back. When she faced him again, his lips claimed hers.
• Her mind went blank. For seconds, all she could think about was how his mouth felt warm and full with the faint taste of black coffee. His lips were assertive but gentle. Testing her, asking her.
• The right thing, the proper thing would be to push him away. It was wrong to be kissing her teacher in front of her goddamned dormitory. So what if it was in his tinted car on a late Saturday night? Anyone could still see, and then they’d both be in major trouble...
• And yet, the voice of reason could do nothing to stop what was happening. His lips felt so nice, and despite the overwhelming feeling that nearly robbed her of her breath, she couldn’t break away.
• His hand moved to her nape, deepening the kiss. She felt so inexperienced and yet the desire to please him grew stronger with every second they remained lip-locked. A voice in her head whispered for more, but the thought vanished as soon as she pulled away for air.
• She put trembling fingers to her swollen mouth. She closed her eyes, unable to look at him. “I’m sorry, I…”
• “It’s fine.” His voice sounded strained. Slowly he released her, and her body suddenly felt cold.
• “See you around,” she stammered, feeling more foolish and mortified by the second. “Good night.”
• It was rude not to look at him before leaving, but she had already clambered out of the car. She raced up the steps to her dorm and headed inside without turning back. She bolted straight for her room, slamming the door behind her. She leaned against it and breathed hard, like she’d just run for miles. Thankfully, Tara was still out.
• Oh God. She squeezed her eyes shut. What did I just get myself into?