Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Poems?”
“Yes, you do write poetry, don’t you?” she asked in a severe tone.
“I teach poetry, and I study it. I don’t write it professionally.”
She frowned. “Surely you have a piece you can share.”
There was no way I was reading one of the raw, heart-wrenching poems I’d written recently. “I can share one of my favorite poems from my recent research.”
She waved a hand dismissively. “Fine, fine.”
I had just enough social acumen not to yell at her, stomp off, or even roll my eyes. Who was she anyway, and why was she giving commands? I’d probably been told at some meeting or via email–I tend to skim correspondence from Buxton these days. A few moments later, Mrs. Renquist released us. I had started to worry she might teach us all a dance routine or musical finale, but apparently we were just going to walk up on stage in the usual manner.
From my vantage point on the steps leading to the stage, I scanned the room for Connor. Sadly, before I could spot him, I was waylaid by Thornton Ash, the most arrogant man in the School of Humanities—and that was saying a lot.
“You won the Alston prize this year? Good for you.” Translation: The committee is made up of imbeciles. He clapped me on the back, nearly making me fall down the steps. “I am a bit surprised they chose someone who’s going to be leaving us, though.”
I frowned at him. “I haven’t left. I’m on sabbatical.” I most likely would be leaving—this gathering certainly wasn’t doing anything to endear Wentworth to me—but I hadn’t shared my future plans with my colleagues.
Ash raised a brow. “You’re wealthy now. What need have you for all this?” He swept his hand around like he was indicating the whole Wentworth experience rather than just a room full of socially awkward people forced to dress up and mingle.
“I’m hardly rich. I received a small inheritance.” It wasn’t precisely small, but my finances weren’t any of Ash’s business. “As of right now, I’m planning to return to Wentworth in January.”
Ash grinned like a Cheshire cat. “That’s not what I heard.”
Fuck. Had Buxton said something?
“I heard you’d been offered a position at Campton.” The son of a bitch was so smug about having inside information.
I’d had to ask Buxton for a reference for the position, and he’d asked if I’d heard anything. I told him about the offer—and told him to keep it quiet. “As I said, my plans are unclear.”
“You’d be a fool not to take the position, but of course…” Ash’s words trailed off, his jealousy crackling in the air like lightning.
I needed to get out of there before Connor came looking for me.
“Look, Ash, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say anything.”
“You got an offer?” Angela asked, clearly having overheard as she walked up.
“Yes, but I wasn’t going to say anything until I’d decided what to do.”
“You aren’t thinking of turning it down, are you?” she asked.
“Well… probably not but…”
The back of my neck prickled. Connor was there. I was sure of it. I was going to turn around and he’d be standing there, and he would know. Please let me be wrong. I glanced to the side without turning. Fuck. There he was, holding his wine so tightly I expected the glass to shatter.
“I have to go.” I walked away before Angela and Ash could say anything else. “Connor!” I called, but he was already walking toward the door.
“At least talk to me,” I said when I caught up to him.
Connor turned to face me, his expression flat and cold. He set his wine down on an empty table by the door. “Congratulations on your award. It sounds like you have a bright future. Best of luck with it.” He turned and left before I could say anything.
I longed to run after him, but I couldn’t leave before the ceremony.
“May I have your attention?” Mrs. Renquist was at the podium now. I glanced back and forth between the formidable elderly woman and the door Connor had just blown through. What should I do?
Angela caught my eye and waved me toward a seat next to her. After a final glance toward the exit, I gave up and joined her. I’d find Connor as soon as the awards portion of the night was over. Maybe it was a good idea to let him calm down first.
Or maybe you should go after him. You don’t want to be here, you want to be with him.
I also don’t want to make a fool of myself, even if I’m not returning in the fall.
Even if it’s for Connor?
I ran a hand through my hair.
“Are you okay?” Angela asked.
“Yes. No. Physically I’m fine, if that’s what you mean.”
She nodded like she actually understood my convoluted answer. “Trouble with your new boyfriend?”