Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
I think I’m going to throw up. My career, everything I’ve worked for, is about to disappear before my eyes.
“However, the fact that she is not a young woman but an adult with experience behind her does help your cause. As does the fact that you stepped aside while class was going on. You covered the exams, made them impartial, and handled things with impartiality.”
His hard stare doesn’t allow me to read his final thoughts at all. I stand, hands clenched, shoulders tense, and wait.
With a frown, the dean says, “I can’t say I like it or that it’s going to make things easy on us going forward … but you would also have a case against us for unlawful termination if I fired you. Which I don’t want to do. You’re a good professor. A solid addition to the faculty. And you got a raw deal twice, first at your last school and now again here. I knew Dan was a loose cannon, and I did nothing to prevent him from causing trouble again.”
“So where does this leave us?” I ask.
Dean Frost extends his hand. “It leaves you with your position intact, Professor Warden.”
“Thank you, sir.” Relief filling me, I clasp the other man’s hand. “I appreciate your understanding.”
To my surprise, Dean Frost smiles, dropping the stern formality he held on to throughout our meeting. “I met my wife when I was eighteen. It was love at first sight. I’m not going to deny you what’s obviously true love.”
I grin. Although I didn’t say the words to myself, I know it’s true. Why else would I be willing to give up my job for Amber?
“So what are you waiting for?” Dean Frost asks. “Go get your girl.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Amber
I finish my exam, too afraid to hope. Yes, I think I passed. But did I get a C? C-? D? It is anybody’s guess. I need the D to pass the class, and I really believe in my heart it is possible. But even with that huge concern off my shoulders, I’m not free of worry because I still don’t know what Shane’s Don’t worry, I have it handled text meant.
I step into the bright sunshine and look around. If I hoped to see Shane, I am disappointed. There are plenty of happy students whose final test of the summer has ended but no Shane.
I make my way home, taking the long way, needing to walk and clear my head. L.J. is coming home tomorrow with his grandparents, and real life is about to descend on me. I am so excited to see my baby, but I know it means more responsibilities, more routine, more schedules. I’ll have to find ways to find time to see Shane … if he still wants to see me after what went down with Dan.
By the time I arrive on my street, I decide I’m going to Shane’s house to talk to him and find out what is going on. Except I don’t need to.
Shane sits on my doorstep, waiting for me.
With trepidation, I meet him at the bottom of the porch.
“Hi.”
“Hi. How was your test?”
“You’re a hard teacher, Professor Warden. But I think, I hope I passed.”
A pleased smile lifts his sexy lips. “I asked Eric to grade them this afternoon,” he says of the teacher’s assistant. “They should be posted by morning.”
I blow out a deep breath. “Good. Another night tossing and turning.” I smile wryly. “Don’t worry, I expected to have to wait to find out.”
I pull my purse in front of me and look for my keys, extracting them from my bag. “Want to come inside?” My heart pounds in my chest, the fear of not knowing what is going on consuming me.
“Sure.” He smiles at me, but I still don’t know where we stand.
After letting us into the house, I close the door behind us and turn to face him. “I can’t take it anymore. What happened with Dan?”
“I took him to Dean Frost myself and showed him the video. Dan has a history of reporting people for cheating when he doesn’t do as well as he’d like in a class. The dean wasn’t pleased with him. I don’t think he’s going to be my problem anymore. As for us…”
“Oh, my God. Is he angry? Am I in trouble? Are you?”
He shakes his head and tries to breathe deeply and evenly.
“Then what did he say?”
Shane’s serious expression makes my stomach twist with uncertainty.
“At first he asked for the night to think, which was why I didn’t want to explain things last night. I didn’t want to leave you hanging the night before a test. Well, any more than you already were.” He shakes his head, a wry twist to his lips.
I twist my hands in front of me, nerves getting the best of me. “And this morning? What did he say?”