My friend appears in the doorway. “Ready?” she asks.
“I am.” I grab my handbag and head out.
“So, a little over a month down with Professor Moody Pants. Things work out after the last time I saw you?” Ella asks.
“Yes. He’s not that moody one on one. I know how to handle him.”
“I see that. You might make a new record if you can last the whole term.”
“I don’t find him that difficult to work for. He can be a bit brusque and he has expectations, certainly, but he’s not unreasonable. Just particular.”
“You must have the magic touch.” She laughs. “Brusque, huh? That’s pretty fancy English just to call a guy blunt. Must be a British thing.”
I grin. “Perhaps.”
“Do you mind if Dixon joins us?”
“Not at all.”
“Cool. He said he’d meet us at the cheesesteak stand.”
“Okay.”
We walk across the square brimming with students and faculty soaking up the crisp autumn weather. Leaves fall from trees and spill over us. I reach up and grab one and tuck it into my bag.
“What did you do that for?” Ella asks.
“I liked it. I’ll put it on my memory board at home.”
She shrugs. “Okay. There’s not exactly a shortage of leaves around here, though.”
“I know. I just liked this one.”
She looks at me oddly, but when we see Dixon, Ella waves excitedly. She must really like him. As we get closer, I see a familiar face and freeze. Nico is next door, talking to a girl who stands very close to him. Intimately close. Pangs of jealousy course through me. I guess I just got the answer I’ve been asking myself. He’s not interested in me.
The girl laughs, throwing her head back and resting her hand on Nico’s chest. He wraps his arm around her tiny waist and pulls her close, kissing her neck as she giggles. Why is he even here? We get on queue to order our food and I try to ignore him, but I can’t. Then, my eyes open wide as I see Professor Di Roma walking in his direction. The professor looks up and I can tell he knew he was meeting Nico there. He looks around and I quickly turn my attention back to my friends, watching discreetly as Nico introduces the girl by his side to the professor. They have a brief conversation and then go inside the restaurant, disappearing from my inquisitive eyes. Well, at least the brothers have made up.
We order and sit down at a nearby table. “I’m happy it’s still nice enough to eat outside,” I say.
“Me, too. Pretty soon it will be wicked cold,” Ella says. “So, hey, I’m having a birthday party at my mom’s house in Somerville in a few weeks. You two wanna come?”
Dixon smiles. “Who’s birthday?”
“Mine,” she says. “My mom insists on throwing me a party every year even though I’ll be twenty-six.” She rolls her eyes as she speaks.
“Sure, I’ll come. Londyn?”
“Absolutely. Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Yay! You guys can meet all my friends. It’ll be fun.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” I say.
“To what?”
I turn to see the professor standing behind me. Dixon and Ella stare at him without saying a word.
“Hello, Professor,” I say. “Do you want to join us?” I don’t know what else to do.
“No, no,” he says, chuckling. “I just came to say hi since I saw you here. Ella. Dixon,” he says, acknowledging my dining companions.
“That was nice of you. We were just discussing upcoming plans,” I explain.
“I hope you have something fun in order. I won’t keep you. Enjoy your lunch.”
“Bye,” I say. I watch him walk away then turn back to Ella and Dixon.
“I seriously would’ve shit my pants if he sat down to eat with us,” Ella says.
“Me, too,” I say. “Offering just seemed like the right thing to do.”
“For sure,” she agrees.
“See?” I add. “He’s not so bad. He can be quite pleasant.”
“Yeah. That’s wicked awesome. Wonder what he does for fun,” Ella says.
Me too, but I keep that thought to myself and take another bite of my sandwich. We talk about the party and all the things Ella’s mum has planned. I’m a bit excited. It sounds like it will be fun. Looking down at my watch, I announce that we better head back.
“You go ahead, Londyn,” Ella says. “I have a few extra minutes today.”
“Okay. See you later.” I can tell she wants some time alone with Dixon. I should remember to tell her she doesn’t have to ask me to lunch every day. While I appreciate the company, I’m just as happy to be alone. Solitude doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
Entering the office, I see the professor sitting quietly staring out the window, a classical song playing quietly. I thought we didn’t listen to music anymore, but maybe he does on his lunch break. He looks at me as I enter the room and nods his head. His hands move through the air, as though conducting the beautiful melody filling the room. I watch him, completely mesmerized. I can’t tell if he is happy or sad or a mixture of both. The song ends and he smiles.
“I love that song,” he says.
“It was lovely.”
The professor is silent for a moment before speaking. “I have a proposition for you.”
Proposition? “Yes?”
“Would you like to do some research with me on my new book?”
Research? “What kind?”
“Various things. References, quotes, check my citations. I’d love to share my ideas with you and get your thoughts. I could really use your help.”
My help? “I can do that.”
“We’ll start tonight if you can.”
Tonight? “Um, sure.”
“We’ll spend some time in the library, but tonight you can come to my place.”
His place? Bloody hell. I get to see the professor’s home. I can’t even find my words.
“Is that okay?” he asks.
“Oh. Yes, it’s fine. As long as you’ll tell me what to do.”
“I will. Can you come with me straight after work today? I’ll make dinner and let you read what I have so far.”
I am downright ready to pee myself. He’s going to cook for me? “Yes, that works fine. I’ll phone Madeleine and tell her.” I decide to excuse myself to the hallway so I can release the proper squeal of delight building inside me. Dialing Maddie’s cell, I wait for her to answer.
“Guess what?” I say as soon as she answers.
“What?”
“The professor invited me to his house after work.”
“What?!”
“He wants me to help him research some of his writing. He’s going to cook and everything.”
“Wow. That’s bloody fantastic. He must really trust you.”
“I know! I’ve been driving myself mad imagining his personal life.”
“I hope it’s everything you’ve ever dreamed of,” she says, laughing.
“Har Har. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“You better.”
“Talk to you later, Maddie.”
“Yep.”
Hanging up, I return to my seat. The professor’s mood seems to have lifted slightly. I’ve decided the music is a help to him. A form of therapy for whatever demons haunt him. Perhaps I’ll find out more tonight.
WHAT AM I DOING? I invited Londyn to my house and she accepted. I’ve never allowed a student or an assistant into my personal space, but I was almost compelled to ask. I want her there. I’ve convinced myself that I have a legitimate reason. It’s for research. That’s all. Research.
How is this young, unassuming woman getting so far under my skin? What is it that draws me to her? I can’t pursue anything with her, even if I wanted to. Even if I was somehow capable of loving anyone. I would never endanger our working relationship and further, she deserves a man who can give himself to her completely. That man is not me. What I can’t understand is why I am even having
these thoughts.
I steal glances at her across the room as she answers emails. She is doing that lip chewing thing again and I watch with a smile on my face as she smears Chap Stick over them. She seems completely oblivious to me, focusing only on her tasks. I can’t imagine she would find me attractive. To her I’m likely some old codger. She’s far more interested in someone like Nico- young and hip. He’s only, what, four years older than she is, while I’m a full decade ahead. She does have an old soul, though. Maybe that would make me appealing to her.
God, I need to stop. This is a professional interaction only. Suddenly her eyes meet mine and instead of looking away, I hold her gaze. She smiles, but maintains that ubiquitous inquisitive expression of hers. Of course she wants to know what I am thinking. I couldn’t possibly tell her.
“Would you like to get a coffee, Miss Harper?” The question slips from my lips.
“Sure. I will just finish this email. You seem pensive today, Professor.”
I love that she just used the word pensive. It does not escape me that I am acting like a fool right now, but at least I’m the only one who knows it.
“Yes, just thinking of all I have to do. That’s why I could use a bit of caffeine.” I smile and wait for her by the door. On her way out, she grabs her journal.
“Do you need that right now?” I ask.
“No, but I always keep it with me. It’s very private.”
“I imagine it is. Tell me, do you write stories in there or is it more of a diary, a daily detailing of your life?” Londyn’s cheeks flush and I realize I’ve embarrassed her. “If that was too personal, I apologize.”
“No, not at all. I’m just not used to being asked about it. I’ve always carried one, even before I could write. I would just doodle in it. My friends and family are so accustomed to it they have a nickname for it.”
“Is that so? Can you share it with me?” I hold the door open for her as we step outside.
“Boodle,” she says and then smiles up at me.
“What does that mean?”
“When I was little I called it a bood instead of a book. Then when my mum saw my drawings she decided to name it. Book. Doodle. Boodle. So, it’s referred to as Londyn’s boodle.”
“That is a very charming story.”
She shrugs her shoulders as we walk across the courtyard to my favorite coffee place.
“What would you like, Londyn? My treat.”
“A caramel macchiato, please.”
“Two of those, please,” I say to the barista.
We gather our drinks and sit at one of the tables outside for a moment. Londyn sips her coffee then licks a bit of foam from her upper lip. It’s an innocent gesture, but still very compelling to me.
“Do you like it?” I ask.
“Very much. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” A leaf escapes the branch above us and lands softly in Londyn’s hair. She looks up and giggles as I reach over and remove it.
“You know, Professor, everyone says you are really hard to get along with, but I don’t think so. I find you quite agreeable.”
“That’s because you’ve given me no reason to misbehave, my dear girl.”
“That makes me happy.”
“You make me happy.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I want to swallow them back up again. Londyn looks up at me with those big, blue-green eyes, wide and questioning. I must salvage this before I make her uncomfortable. “I can’t tell you how much it puts me at ease to have someone as competent as you are. Your work is quite impressive. Next year, I’ll be able to give you some extra responsibilities.”
“I would like that.” She grins and takes another sip of her coffee.
“Shall we start back?” I ask.
“Yes.”
We walk back to the office, both of us quiet. The silence between us is oddly comforting, but I’ve come to learn that Londyn has this effect on me. No one could be more surprised by that revelation than me.
I MAKE HIM HAPPY! He said it. Happy! Oh, I could simply float to the moon. The one thing I set out to do when I got this job was to prove to him I could meet his expectations. As each day passes, we grow closer and closer. He is opening up to me; I can tell. It’s why I told him about my boodle. And in just a few hours, I’ll be in his home. I’m dying to know what he is like away from work.
I do my best to contain my excitement, but eventually I take my boodle and sneak into the loo. I need to write this down before I pop. I jot my thoughts as fast as I can, sitting in one of the stalls. When I come out, I see Professor Lance standing at the sink washing her hands. She looks up at me and smiles.
“Good to see you, Londyn,” she says.
“You as well.”
“We haven’t had much chance to chat. How are things for you so far?”
“Very good.”
“Wonderful. Ella talks about you all the time.”
“All good things, I do hope.”
“Absolutely. Luca speaks fondly of you as well. He was very lucky to find you.”
“I was lucky, too.” I set my journal down and quickly wash my hands.
“What part of England are you from?”
“Essex.” We both walk towards the door.
“Oh. I haven’t been there. My husband was stationed in England when we were younger and we traveled to many places, mostly the countryside.”
“There’s nothing to see in Essex, really.”
“Well, I enjoyed our time in England. That was, oh dear, let’s see. Thirty years ago, I think.”
“It’s nice you were able to live there. I do miss it at times, but I call Boston home now.”
“Well,” she says squeezing my shoulder, “We’re glad you’re here. I think Luca may have gone crazy if he lost yet another assistant.”
I laugh. “Thank you. I imagine I’ll be around for quite some time.”
“I agree. Nice to see you, dear.”
“You too, Professor Lance.”
“Call me Angela,” she says with a wink before she disappears down the hall.
She seems nice. It’s kind of sweet that the professor talked to her about me. He’s not the ogre I was led to believe he was at all. I walk back into the office and he looks up at me and smiles.
“I just ran into Professor Lance.”
“She’s great, isn’t she?”
“Yes, very nice. She seems fond of you.”
“She’s always been kind. I consider her a friend.”
“That’s important to have.”
He glances up at me. “Yes, it is,” he says softly.
I sit down to finish my work for the day. The professor has so many emails and meetings, it is nearly a full time job just managing these things. He was right. He needs me.
“Shall we go?” Professor Di Roma asks me.
“Absolutely.” I shut down my computer and put my things in my bag. As I do, my heart starts to palpitate. Moments from now, I’ll be in the private sanctum of the professor.
“You don’t mind a short walk do you?” he asks.
“Not at all. Do you walk in the winter?”
“I do. It’s literally minutes from here. It would be silly to do anything else.”
“Do you take the train into the city when you need?”
“I have a car.”
“That’s good.”
“Do you drive?”
“No. I’m not very good at it. Maddie has a car if we need it, but it stays parked most days.”
“Driving in Boston can be challenging.”
“I don’t think I ever adjusted to driving on the wrong side of the road here.”
“It’s not wrong.”
“Dear Professor, England existed long before Massachusetts did, therefore, your way is wrong and my way is right.”
The professor laughs. “Well said. I have no rebuttal.”
“I’m wicked smart, sometimes.”
“Indeed.” He points down the pavement. “I’m just a fe
w blocks this way.”
As we walk, I notice the chill settling into the air as the sun starts to fall in the sky. Cambridge is such a pretty town, all tree lined streets and grassy knolls everywhere.
“Well, here it is,” the professor announces as we approach a quaint light blue house and walk up a small flight of stairs. Opening the door, he gestures for me to enter and flips on a switch behind me, illuminating the room with soft lighting. “Make yourself at home. I’ll make some dinner.”
I look down as my shoes clack across his hardwood floors. His home is beautifully furnished in a contemporary design. The cream sofa that dominates his living room looks too pretty to sit on. There is a large square coffee table in front of it with art books stacked neatly. I notice right away there is no television in the room. It’s lovely, but stark and cold and not at all how I would have pictured a professor’s home.
The dining room is equally refined with a large rectangular dark wood table filling most of the space. Silky drapes frame the large window that looks out onto his tiny front yard. Glancing into the kitchen, I see just a peek of granite counters and an island in the middle. The whole home is beautifully and richly decorated. It’s a mixture of Old World and contemporary design. I wonder if a woman decorated it.
“Excuse the dust. The upper floor is being renovated. This used to be two apartments, but I intend it to be one larger house.”
“It doesn’t bother me.”
“Do you like pasta?” the professor asks.
“I like most everything,” I say. “May I use the loo?”
The professor chuckles softly. “The loo, as you call it, is down the hall, last door on the right.”
“Sorry. Bathroom.”
“Don’t be sorry. Your use of the English language is quite endearing. Makes me want to take a visit across the pond.”
I smile and find my way down the hall. I don’t really have to go. I just want to take a quick look around. The door right before the last one is slightly ajar and I can’t stop myself from looking inside. Flipping on the light, I step inside what I’m sure is the professor’s study. It is quite possibly the most inviting room I’ve ever laid eyes on.
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