by Ivy Smoak
Professor Hunter escorted me out of the restaurant and back toward the entrance of the country club. The woman with the large breasts was still standing at the reception desk. "Have a good evening, Mr. Hunter."
"You too," he said to the woman and nodded at her.
It was annoying how she didn't even acknowledge my existence. As if sensing this, Professor Hunter squeezed my hand.
As soon as the valet saw us come out of the country club, he hurried off. I began to shiver as we waited for him to get the car. Professor Hunter took off his suit jacket, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me in close.
"Maybe your roommate will find your story more believable if you wear this back to your dorm."
I leaned into him and took a deep breath of his cologne. Is this really happening? "I barely believe that I'm dating you, so it'll be hard to convince someone else that it's true."
He rested his chin on the top of my head and only moved away when the valet handed him the keys to his car. He opened up the door for me and walked over to the valet.
"Thank you," he said and slipped some money into the valet's hand. Professor Hunter climbed into the driver's seat. The car started before I even buckled my seatbelt.
After he turned out of the country club, he put his right hand on the center console. Without hesitation I let my hand slide into his, and his fingers intertwined with mine.
"What will happen if someone finds out that we're dating?" I asked.
"It's frowned upon, but the university's policy isn't explicitly stated in their handbook. It's more a question of ethics than anything else."
"You've looked it up?"
He looked at me. "Yes."
"So you won't actually get in trouble?"
"That depends on a lot of things."
"Like what?"
"Well, if there was even a whisper of sexual harassment, I would get fired. Or if someone in your class found out about us and thought you were getting favoritism, they could file a complaint. Or..."
"I'm not going to tell anyone, Professor Hunter."
"Then I don't think we have anything to worry about."
"Would you still have pursued me if the university's policy was explicitly against it?"
He paused for a moment. "Yes," he finally said. He squeezed my hand.
"Even though you could get fired?" I realized the question was ridiculous as soon as I let it slip. Professor Hunter clearly didn't need this job. If he could randomly buy a country club, he probably didn't need to work at all.
"I know that you want this just as much as I do. I believe that my ethics are sound, so no one can make me question them."
We drove in silence for a few minutes.
"What did your startup company do?"
"Tech."
He was being so vague. "What happened to it?"
"I sold it. But I still have a seat on the board."
"Then why are you teaching?"
"For the same reason I left New York. I needed a change."
"And if it wasn't because of how loud and busy the city was, then what was it? A midlife crisis?"
"How old do you think I am, Penny?" he laughed.
"Actually, I thought you were probably a grad student when I met you in the coffee shop. You can't even believe how shocked I was when I found out you were my Comm professor."
He laughed again. I wasn't sure there was a sound in the world that I liked better than his laugh.
"So take a guess," he pressed.
"Well, Professors have to go to grad school and then get their master to teach right?"
"Yes, but I didn't do that. I was busy running a company in my early twenties. They granted me an honorary degree at the last university I worked at if I agreed to teach a few entrepreneurship classes in their masters program. I have the same arrangement here."
"So, maybe you're 29?" Please don't be over 30.
"Close. I'm only 27."
Only 27. If I was 22 like he thought I was, there would only be five years difference between us. An eight year difference seemed worse. But my birthday was soon. I'd be twenty in a few weeks. I needed to tell him. This was the perfect opportunity.
He pulled up outside of my dorm and cut the ignition. "What, you're sad that I'm not older?"
I laughed. "No. No, that's not it. I just..." I took a deep breath. I needed to tell him.
He leaned in and kissed me. "Like I said, you have nothing to worry about."
Chapter 29
Sunday
As soon as I locked the door, Melissa switched the lights on.
"Where the hell have you been?! I texted you like ten times, Penny!"
I pulled Professor Hunter's suit jacket tighter around myself. I just wanted to be back in his arms. "I..."
"Oh my God. Oh my God! Were you on a date?"
"No." Crap, why did I just lie? I'm so bad at this!
"Penny, you're wearing a men's suit jacket."
"Yeah, sorry. I meant yes. Yes, I was on a date."
"I knew it! You and Tyler were being so ridiculous earlier, but you just needed a little persuading. He ditched that party on Friday night just to hang out with you. There were tons of girls there. He chose you. He's like the complete opposite of Austin. I'm so happy for you."
"No, not with Tyler."
"What?"
"I wasn't on a date with Tyler."
I could tell she was getting annoyed with me.
"Yeah, I heard you. I meant who were you with?"
"It was someone new."
"Penny, who?"
"His name is James." I could feel myself start to blush, remembering when I had challenged him and called him James on the golf course. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt and began to change.
"Well, where did you meet?"
I should have known I couldn't get off that easily. "My Intro to Marketing class," I lied.
"No wonder you like him," she said and picked up his suit jacket from the back of my chair. "He wears the same cologne as that professor you had a crush on. Yummy."
Oh shit! "Oh, really? I hadn't noticed."
Melissa laughed. "Don't pretend you didn't snuggle up to your professor's sweater at night."
I didn't know she had seen me do that. "Okay, fine, I did notice. That's actually what first attracted me to him." That seemed reasonable enough.
Melissa no longer looked mad at me, just super curious. I'd rather her be mad and not speak to me. I was going to have a hard time keeping track of all these lies.
"So tell me about him," she said and sat back down on her bed.
"I'm pretty tired. Can I tell you about him tomorrow?"
"Yeah, not happening. You made me worry about you till...what time is it? It's 2 a.m., Penny! I think I deserve at least a few details."
"Okay." I sat cross-legged on my bed and looked at her. If I stuck to true things, it wouldn't really be lying. "Well he's unbelievably handsome, apparently wealthy, and he's a little older than me." I thought about Professor Hunter's suggestion of telling her how it was the best sex of my life, and blushed.
"Wait, how much older? I thought you said you met in class? Is he like a foreign exchange student or something?"
Why am I so bad at this? "I meant I met him after my marketing class. I ran into him on Main Street. Literally."
She knew how clumsy I was, so she seemed to accept that answer. "Why didn't you tell me you had a date with him?"
"I don't know. I didn't want to jinx it I guess. He's way out of my league, Melissa."
"Don't be ridiculous. You know that you're a catch. You probably made him drool in the dress you were wearing."
"Thanks, Melissa."
"So, where did he take you on your first date?"
"To this country club. It was at least half an hour from here."
"Well that's super fancy. I can see why you think he's wealthy. I don't know any other students who are members of a country club."
I didn't want her to
assume he was a student. I wanted her to think that he was always busy so that she wouldn't be hurt if she didn't get to meet him. "He's actually not a student."
"So what does he do?"
"He founded some tech company."
"Impressive." She thought about that for a moment before adding, "How old did you say he was?"
"27," I said quietly. I shrugged like it was no big deal. My stomach was still in a knot from not confessing my age to Professor Hunter in the car.
"I thought you said he was only a little older than you. Penny, that's like...eight years."
It was time to take Professor Hunter's advice. "Melissa, you don't even understand how sexy he is. I can't even think straight when I'm around him."
She laughed. "Okay, I need some sleep. Next time text me back so I don't have to worry all night."
"Sorry about that, Melissa. I was distracted."
"I bet," she said and turned off the light.
I was too tired to go get ready for bed, so instead I laid down and pulled the covers on top of me.
"Poor Tyler," Melissa mumbled. I heard her turn in her bed.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
Chapter 30
Monday
It was going to be so awkward to see Tyler. I hadn't spoken to him since he had walked out on me at the dining hall. I had encouraged him to see other people because I cared about him. He had become a really good friend. But he was probably never going to talk to me again. And I had basically molested his abs, which definitely gave him the wrong message. The cold shoulder would make me feel horrible, but at the same time I would be kind of relieved. I was sick of lying to him. Maybe it was better for both of us if he pretended I didn't exist.
When I walked into the room I was surprised to see that Tyler was already sitting in his usual spot. I had been expecting him to be seated on the opposite side of the room.
"Hey, Penny," he said as I approached.
"Is this from you?" I picked up the single red rose that was on my desk.
"Yes. Look, I'm really sorry about Saturday. I acted like an idiot."
I sat down and smelled the sweet aroma from the rose. Why can't he just give me the cold shoulder instead? He was so sweet.
"I'm sorry too, I..."
"You don't need to be. You've made it perfectly clear that you just want to be my friend. I just can't seem to resist making a fool of myself around you. But I'm going to try to start acting like your friend. No more hidden agendas. If that's really what you want. Because I just enjoy being around you."
"So you had a hidden agenda on Friday night when you came over? I had no idea."
"I mean, I did want to help you get better. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for a kiss." He laughed.
"Okay, Tyler. Friends for real?" I stuck out my hand for him to shake.
"Friends don't shake hands, weirdo." He high fived me instead.
Professor Hunter walked into the room and locked eyes with me. And then he looked down at the rose on my desk and his expression darkened. He ran his hand through his hair as he put his satchel on his chair. I could tell he was mad. Crap.
"Speeches start next Monday. And this time we'll go backwards in the alphabet. So last names beginning with Z through N will go on Monday and M through A will go on Wednesday."
Is he punishing me? Now I'd have to be one of the first people to present.
"I don't want nerves to be as big of a factor for this speech. It's important to feel comfortable in this room. So let's all share something a little more intimate today." He paused. "Oh, I have an idea. I had an amazing date this weekend."
A few girls in the classroom sighed but I ignored them. I was dying to see what Professor Hunter had to say.
"Romance, dinner. The whole package. So how about everyone shares what their ideal first date would be. And let's switch things up today and start at the end of the alphabet so we get a feel for how next week's speeches are going to go. Adam Zabek, start us off."
I tuned Adam out and tried to think quickly of what I was going to say. Did Professor Hunter want me to talk about our date too?
"Penny Taylor."
I stood up and said the first thing that came to my mind. "I like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain. And the feel of the ocean and the taste of champagne."
Most of the class laughed. Thank you, Jimmy Buffett.
Professor Hunter smiled and leaned back in his seat. "Tyler Stevens?"
Tyler stood up. "Hmmm. My ideal first date is probably making love at midnight in the dunes of the cape."
I couldn't resist laughing. Professor Hunter's smile immediately disappeared. Damn it, Tyler!
Professor Hunter cleared his throat. "Okay. Let's move past the Jimmy Buffett lyrics."
I smiled at Tyler and he stuck his tongue out at me. After everyone was done describing their ideal dates, Professor Hunter started talking about enunciation. But when he turned to write enunciation on the board, I stopped paying attention. Instead, I was looking at how his khakis hugged his ass. And how he bit his lip when he was concentrating. When class was finally dismissed, I said goodbye to Tyler and waited for the class to empty out.
Not knowing what to do about the rose, I grabbed it and held it down by my side. Please don't be mad.
"I see that you are continuing your relationship with Mr. Stevens, despite my request," he said as soon as I was close to his desk.
"I'm not."
He eyed the rose in my hand.
"It's just a friendship rose."
He rested back on the side of his desk and folded his arms across his chest. "Penny, there is no such thing as a friendship rose."
"But we really are just friends."
He gave me a challenging look. "I'll be picking you up at 1."
I hadn't expected him to change the subject. I was busy thinking of examples of how Tyler and I were just close friends. "Wait, what?"
"I'm taking you on your ideal date."
"But, I can't. I have a class at 2."
He put his satchel over his shoulder. "So skip it."
"You're a terrible influence, Professor Hunter."
"I don't think you really believe that. I'll see you at 1." He winked at me and walked out of the room.
Chapter 31
Monday
"A delivery came for you," Melissa said as she stood up from her chair. She was all smiles.
There were a dozen red roses in a vase on my desk. I put my backpack down and walked over to my desk. A bow was tied around the vase, and a card was attached to it.
Penny,
I know that you think roses symbolize friendship, but believe me when I say that these ones do not. I hope you're excited for our date. Thank you for skipping class.
-James
The roses were beautiful. No one had ever bought me flowers before today. Except for my parents when I graduated from high school. I read the note again. It was sweet, even if he was a little cocky. And even though he was just trying to show up Tyler. But Professor Hunter was right, I was going to skip class.
"When did these come?" I didn't even realize that flowers could be delivered that fast.
"Just a few minutes ago. So, who are they from?"
I laughed. "You expect me to believe that you didn't read the card?"
"I didn't!" she protested. "But I confess that I did read who they were from. James. So what did you do to earn those?" Melissa asked.
"Nothing." I made him angry.
"You are one lucky girl then."
I leaned in and smelled the roses. I'm so lucky. I thought about the date he was planning. I like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain? And the feel of the ocean and the taste of champagne? What the hell was I thinking? I was basically asking Professor Hunter to get me tons of illegal drinks.
"So what are you doing here anyway? Don't you usually just grab lunch and go to class?"
"Pro..." I coughed. Shit. I almost said Professor Hunter! I took a d
eep breath and tried to think of a quick recovery. "Probably gonna skip it." Who the hell talks like that?
Melissa stared at me. "Skip what? Lunch? We can go to the dining hall together real quick if you want."
"No, I'm going to skip my class."
"I can't even imagine you skipping a class. You never break the rules." She paused. "Are you feeling alright? Does your stomach hurt again?"
"No, I'm fine." I was tempted to tell her that I was about to go on a date with a professor. I knew how to break the rules too! But of course I couldn't. I could mention James though. "James had some free time this afternoon and I didn't want to miss getting to see him."
"He's turning you into quite the bad ass."
If only she knew.
"So where are you going?"
It was a beautiful, warm September day. And if we were going early, it was probably because the destination was far away. I eyed the new bikini in my closet.
"He didn't really say. But he dropped some hints. I think he's taking me to the beach."
"It's good that we went shopping last week then."
"I know. Thanks for helping me pick out a new bathing suit. I always appreciate your fashion advice."
"Mhm. So tell me more about him. I want all the juicy details."
"Well. He's spontaneous."
"Obviously. Last minute beach trip. But I mean like...what's he like?"
"He's funny, but serious. There's just something about him that's so intriguing." I stopped talking. The more vague I was, the better. "I honestly don't know him all that well. Hopefully I'll find out more about him today." I did have a lot of questions for Professor Hunter. It was true that I barely knew anything about him.
"So I guess that means you didn't do much talking on your last date then?" Melissa gave me one of her challenging looks.
I felt myself blushing. I knew what she was hinting at. And she was right.
"I've never seen you this flustered before, Penny! So when exactly do I get to meet this mystery man?"
I laughed awkwardly. "I'm sure you'll get to meet him soon." I changed into my new bikini and pulled on a pair of jean shorts and a tank top. I rummaged around in my closet until I found a canvas bag. After mentally checking off a beach towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hoodie, I was ready to go.