Page 12 of Learning Curves

Audrey parked across the street from Stuart’s house, then reached for the bottle of red wine she’d brought, as well as another handmade vase filled with seasonal flowers, her standard gift when she was invited to someone’s home.

The department chair was hosting a “welcome back” cocktail party tonight, something he apparently did every September.

It was a chance for the faculty and staff of the art department to mingle, catch up, and talk shop with each other.

For Audrey, it was an opportunity to get to know her new coworkers in a more casual setting.

So far, the only person she’d spent any time with off campus was Mercy.

Most of the rest of the art professors were a lot older, but that didn’t matter to Audrey.

She’d always prided herself on her ability to make friends outside her own demographic.

The evening air was cool when she stepped out of her car, with a certain crispness that only came in the fall. It was her absolute favorite time of year, and nowhere else did fall like Vermont. She couldn’t wait to experience it again.

With the vase cradled in her left arm, the bottle of wine in her right, Audrey crossed the street and walked up to the front door.

Stuart’s home had a stone facade with burgundy shutters and lots of light shining out from the interior of the house.

She could hear muted music and the buzz of conversation from within. No question that this was the place.

She knocked, then listened as footsteps approached the door. It swung open to reveal a smiling silver-haired woman.

“Are you Audrey?” the woman asked.

“I am,” she responded, with a smile of her own. “How did you know?”

The woman laughed, motioning for Audrey to come inside. “I’m Linda, Stuart’s wife, and I took a lucky guess since I haven’t met you yet. You’re the only new face we’re expecting tonight.”

Audrey stepped through the doorway into a tastefully decorated entrance hall, holding out her vase and the wine. “I’m so glad to meet you, Linda. Thanks for having me.”

“It’s absolutely my pleasure. We love hosting the department at our home, and oh my, what a beautiful vase.”

This one was done in shades of blue, a neutral color since she had no idea what the decor in the Hollingers’ house was like. “I’m a potter. If you tell me your favorite colors, I can make you something to match.”

“Oh, how I love having artists at the house, but I would have told you I love blue, so this is perfect. Come, let’s get you a drink.

” She led Audrey into a chef’s kitchen with double ovens and a large quartz center island, currently displaying a variety of drinks and finger foods.

“Would you like some of this wine?” She held up the bottle Audrey had brought.

“We’ve also got everything you see here on the counter.

There are two versions of the punch, with and without alcohol. ”

“The punch is damn good too,” a voice said behind her, and Audrey turned to see a man she vaguely recognized as Pablo Becerra, one of the other younger professors in the department.

“I’ll try it,” she told Linda. “With alcohol.” Then she turned toward Dr. Becerra, extending a hand. “I don’t think we’ve officially met yet. I’m Audrey Lind.”

“We haven’t, but I’ve seen you around. Welcome to the department, Audrey. I’m Pablo.” He gave her a firm handshake. “How are you settling in?”

She smiled, thanking Linda as she handed Audrey a cup of ruby-red punch. “Right now, I’m just soaking it all in and loving every moment.”

He chuckled. “Nothing wrong with that. I’m glad you’re enjoying things so far. Let me know if you ever have questions I can help with.”

“I will. Thank you. I’ve seen some of your paintings, and I’m a fan. Do you sell them locally?”

Pablo shook his head. “I don’t paint much anymore, to be honest. Teaching takes up all my professional time. I appreciate that, though. I used to exhibit locally, but these days, I mostly demonstrate techniques to my students.”

“I hear you. I imagine it’s going to be harder for me to find time for my art now too.” Although Audrey couldn’t imagine ever giving up her time at the pottery wheel entirely. It was integral to who she was as a person.

She and Pablo spoke for a few more minutes before he left to find his wife.

Audrey had a lively conversation with Linda while she polished off her first cup of punch, making a mental note to alternate with cups of the nonalcoholic version because it was strong, and getting drunk at a work event was never a good idea.

“Well, if it isn’t my newest professor,” Stuart said as he came into the kitchen. “Welcome, Audrey. I hope you’re enjoying yourself so far. I see you’ve already met my wife.”

“We’re old friends at this point,” Linda said with a laugh.

“Linda’s great,” Audrey agreed. “I’m having a great time. You have a lovely home and clearly know how to throw a party.”

Audrey talked to Stuart for a few minutes before he excused himself to greet Thomas Rivard and his wife.

As she was refilling her cup with nonalcoholic punch, Audrey bumped into Mercy and Colin.

They circulated the party together for a while, until Audrey felt like she must have talked to everyone in attendance, which had been one of her goals for the evening.

She was here to make connections, which was all part of her larger goal to make herself invaluable to this department.

Because the more time she spent here, the more she knew this was where she wanted to stay.

Her classes were fantastic. She loved her students.

She loved Vermont. She loved teaching at the university where she’d once been a student.

It was all a dream come true.

There was one professor she hadn’t seen yet tonight, though, one she had really hoped to see. Where was Michelle? After her apology last night, Audrey felt like they’d taken their first real step toward being friendly with each other, which had been both unexpected and amazing.

Audrey had only seen her in passing on campus today, so she’d hoped tonight would be a chance for them to pick up where they’d left off after the Sustainability Committee meeting.

Audrey’s friendship offensive was still in full effect, and she was looking forward to calling Michelle by her first name tonight.

“Is Michelle here?” she asked Mercy, who raised her eyebrows at the question.

“I saw her in the garden earlier, I think.”

“Oh, I haven’t seen the garden yet.” Audrey turned to look out the window.

There was a small green yard behind the house, with a large patio area to the left, where a group of people was clustered around a metal firepit.

Beyond that, she glimpsed rosebushes and an ivy-covered trellis, lit with twinkling white lights.

“You should go have a look,” Mercy said. “I’ll walk with you. I could use some fresh air.” Colin was in the kitchen talking about food with Linda and one of the other wives.

“Okay,” Audrey agreed, telling herself it was because of the garden and not because she was eager to see Michelle.

She and Mercy went out through the sliding glass door in the living room, skirting the patio on their way into the garden. “I bet this is gorgeous in the springtime,” Audrey commented as they walked past a row of rosebushes, which were long past flowering for the season.

“I bet it is,” Mercy agreed. “Colin and I have some rosebushes behind our house too. The previous owner planted them, but I love them. There’s nothing like the smell of fresh roses, is there?”

“One of my favorite scents.” Although she could understand why the garden wasn’t a bigger draw tonight, since none of the plants were flowering right now. Two women stood at the end of the path, backlit by the white lights strung over the trellis, but Audrey was pretty sure ...

“Looks like you found her,” Mercy said quietly, gesturing toward the women. “Not sure why you’re looking for her after the way she acted on your first day, but you do you, I guess.”

Audrey’s cheeks flushed hot. “I ... well, we’re on the Sustainability Committee together, and I think we’re becoming friendly. I want to be friendly with her. She was such an inspiration to me when I was an undergrad, even if she isn’t quite the same person now.”

“I get that. Mentors are important. Just don’t give her second chances she doesn’t deserve, okay? Because there’s a reason most folks in the department don’t like her.”

“I won’t.” Audrey drank some of her punch. “But if you could have seen her then, Mercy ... she was really something.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Mercy looked unconvinced. “Anyway, let’s go say hello.”

“Okay.” Audrey led the way toward the two women. Michelle was talking to a tall, slim woman with snow-white hair, and at her approach, they both turned toward her.

Michelle’s lips curved in a small but genuine smile that made Audrey’s heart beat way too fast. She had on a black blouse and wide-leg black pants that accentuated her curves.

Her hair, which she usually wore pulled back into a neat twist at work, was down tonight, hanging over her shoulders with a loose wave.

The effect was devastating, in the very best way. Audrey’s knees went weak, because my god , Michelle was stunning tonight, not that that was an appropriate thing to say ... or even to notice. Her gaze shifted to the striking woman beside Michelle. Was this her wife?

“Audrey, this is Greta Elkin, Marcus’s wife,” Mercy said. “And you already know Michelle.”

Greta held out a hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Audrey said as she shook the hand of this woman who was not Michelle’s wife.

Mercy and Greta commented on the weather while Audrey’s gaze slipped to Michelle’s left hand, which held a glass containing an amber liquid, her ring finger noticeably bare.

There had been a gold band there when Audrey was an undergrad. She was sure of it.

How had she not noticed the lack of a wedding ring until now?