Page 12 of Gin & Sin (Last Call #2)

TWELVE

STEWART

“Don’t forget to read chapters fifteen through eighteen. There may or may not be a quiz before we head into winter break.”

Several students groan in complaint as they gather their notebooks and laptops. I chuckle to myself, amused by my own form of torture. If you threaten them with a potential quiz, the majority of students will actually read the material.

A group of three guys and one woman pass me. One of them, Bryant, softly wolf whistles, saying, “Looking good, Professor Hanley,” as they filter out of the room.

I pull my head back slightly, awash in confusion. Do I look good? Is it obvious that I spent a few minutes on my hair today instead of just dragging my hand through it after my shower?

I don’t know why I did. It was a strange urge, like I thought I could run into Kit during my workday. Even if I did, he’s seen me in my natural state. I shake off the weird thoughts and focus on sorting my papers. It’s a quirk I can’t stop, but I insist on printing and alphabetizing every student’s assignments. If I don’t, I’m preoccupied the whole time I’m grading. It also helps me quickly see who didn’t turn it in— something I can’t do digitally.

I have a thirty-minute break before my next class, so I head over to my office to put these assignments in my grading folder.

“Knock, knock.” Theo appears in my doorway with a huge grin on his face. “Can I enter or do I need to contact your people?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re the newest campus celebrity. Haven’t you heard?”

“Still don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shake my head, digging through my messenger bag for the blue folder for this class.

Theo drapes himself over the chair across from my desk. He’s like a piece of silk, elegantly laid out for all to admire.

“You’re carrying yourself differently. Your hair’s styled too. It’s a noticeable glow up.”

“Glow up?”

He waves his hand in the air. “Like a makeover. What’s going on? Is this about the guy?”

Is it? “No. I just felt like brushing my hair.”

“That’s not all that’s going on though. There’s a pep to your step.” He cackles. “It’s cute.”

Hmm. Maybe I am feeling more confident. “Silly. I’m just me.”

“Okay, but you’re being noticed.”

I shrug, ready to deflect the compliment, but my phone buzzes. Before I’ve even looked at it, my stomach flips.

“Answer it,” Theo says in a teasing voice.

I pull my phone out of the desk drawer where I keep it during class time. Sure enough, it’s a text from Kit. I swipe the lock screen to read it.

Kit: Hey, gorgeous. Hope you’re having a good day.

It’s simple and innocent but it still makes me tingle inside. All I have to do is think his name and memories of how he expertly unravels me rush back. It’s pretty inconvenient in the middle of a lecture when I have to duck behind the lectern to avoid showing off a semi.

Me: Hi! It’s an ordinary day. How are you?

Kit: Pounding coffee. Just woke up. The late nights are hard on a guy.

Me: I slept like the dead after you left.

Kit: Did I wear you out, beautiful?

A smile tugs at my lips as I type out a response.

Me: Yes. Care to do it again?

Kit: What time is your workday done?

Me: Four. No office hours today.

Kit: Perfect. I don’t have to go in until six. Can I pick you up? I’d love to visit my alma mater.

The idea of Kit visiting me here and people seeing a man like him with me is… thrilling.

Me: Sure. I’m in the Psych building on the third floor, room 310.

Kit: See you at four, Prof.

Me: See you then.

I put my phone down, then startle as I realize Theo is still here, watching the entire interaction.

He kicks his legs as he throws his head back and barks out a laugh. “Oh god, you are so done for. If you could’ve seen your face. You are smitten.”

“It’s not that deep, Theo. I like him, but it’s casual.”

“Uh-huh. Okay.”

“It’s just different,” I admit. “I’ve never gotten ‘good morning,’ or ‘have a good day’ texts before.”

“Straights.” He shakes his head. “I suppose it’s the man’s job to send the texts in straight relationships?”

“Generally speaking, yes. Don’t forget, I was married forever, but before that, none of my relationships or whatever this is were like that. They were more…constrained.”

“Constrained?” He looks horrified. “Well, thank fuck for Kit then. Sounds like you need this.”

“Is it…normal? I mean, between men. Is it normal?”

“Normal?” He taps his chin as if he’s lost in thought. “For a fuck buddy situation, not so much, but Kit could just be an affectionate kind of guy.”

“It doesn’t read as affection. Mind you, I’m not the best at picking up social cues, but he just seems like he’s being nice. That’s all.” I chew on my lip for a second. “Maybe he feels sorry for me.”

“Why would he?”

“Because I’m new at all this.”

“Let me see your phone.”

“No.”

“Oh come on, Hanley. There’s nothing on there I haven’t seen or done myself. Let me see his message.”

I’m reluctant, but a part of me could use some insight since I’m generally clueless unless someone very directly tells me what they mean. I hand over the phone, squirming in my chair.

Theo reads them over, scrolling slightly to read the previous ones. When he hands it back, he smiles.

“Definitely doesn’t feel sorry for you. He’s into you. Casually, but into you.”

“What does that mean?”

“He’s having fun. He likes you, and I think he cares. At least a little. He wants to make sure you’re okay, which makes him a solid dude in my book.”

“I can handle that.”

“Gonna have a quickie before he has to go work?”

“Shut up, Theo.”

“Scandalous. You could invite him to see your office, close the door, and?—”

“Theo.” My tone is scolding even as my cheeks heat and my cock twitches in my pants. “I would never. Please tell me you wouldn’t. Not here.”

Theo raises his hands in mock surrender. “I can neither confirm nor deny.”

“Oh god.”

He cackles as he stands, then leans forward, his hands planted on my desk. “Have fun with it, Stewart. Kit sounds like he’s up for the adventure.”

I wave him off, acting annoyed, but I’m secretly so thankful for him and his perspective. Kit is probably going to make it that much harder to find a guy when this is over since he’s obviously raised the bar, but I won’t complain about my good fortune. I’ll just enjoy it while it lasts.