Page 52 of Learning Curves

“She, um, she actually quit her job, so we’re both leaving.”

“Get out!” Mercy slapped a hand over her mouth because she’d practically shouted those words. Luckily, they were the only two people in the break room. “Michelle’s leaving? I didn’t see that coming. Where’s she going?”

Audrey smiled as she speared a bite of her salad. “She’s going to write textbooks to start, but her long-term goal is to publish a series of historical fiction novels about female artists. She’s a really talented author.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Mercy looked thoughtful. “You know, I think that might really suit her. That’s great, except for the part where you’re both leaving.”

“I know.” Audrey swallowed, her throat thick with emotion. “I’m pretty devastated, but I’ve made peace with it, I guess. Hopefully it won’t be too hard to find something new.”

“Hopefully,” Mercy agreed. “And we’ll keep in touch. That’s the beauty of social media.”

As she left the break room after lunch, Audrey was feeling better about things. She’d invited Mercy and Colin over for dinner with her and Michelle later in the week. The connections she’d made at NU would last, no matter where she ended up teaching.

Her afternoon was dedicated to office hours, and since only two students showed up, she spent most of it searching for jobs.

From there, she crossed the hall to Michelle’s office for tea.

The rosebush Audrey had given her for Christmas was on the shelf behind Michelle’s desk, with several pink buds visible. One of them was starting to bloom.

“Did you get a different rosebush for the pot I made you?” Audrey asked as she sat.

“No, why?” Michelle turned to start the kettle.

“Because the rosebush I bought was supposed to have white flowers.”

“Well, it looks like there was a mix-up.” Michelle tapped one of the pink buds. “But I love it. Just another way you’re adding color to my life.”

Audrey was still smiling about that several hours later as she packed up for the day. She and Michelle walked downstairs together, headed home, but Heather waved from the reception desk.

“Audrey, I was just about to call you,” Heather said. “Do you have a minute to stop by Stuart’s office before you leave?”

Audrey’s stomach pinged as she and Michelle exchanged a look. Had Michelle been right in thinking the university would try to rehire her? Was that even what she still wanted? The intense surge of longing in her chest said yes . She still wanted to stay. Desperately so. “Sure.”

“I’ll wait for you in the lobby,” Michelle said.

Audrey walked toward Stuart’s office, trying not to get her hopes up. She’d committed to leaving, and now ... even wondering if he might rehire her put her at risk of being disappointed all over again. His door was open, and she hesitated in the doorway.

Stuart looked up with a smile, gesturing for her to sit in one of his guest chairs. “I hear you and Michelle are an item?”

Audrey sat, her stomach plummeting. This wasn’t about her job after all.

He’d found out about her and Michelle, and she was probably about to be reprimanded for not being up front with him about their relationship.

She felt sick. “We’re dating, yes. Sorry we didn’t come to you about it directly.

We wanted to keep things low key for now. ”

“Not a problem. I just wanted you to know I’m happy for you both. I’ve never minded intradepartmental relationships as long as they don’t affect your job performance.”

Audrey nodded, wondering if that was it. Should she go?

“Anyway, the reason I called you in here today is that with Michelle quitting last week, the department has an open faculty position we need to fill. It’s not your current job, or hers.

This is a brand-new position, just approved this morning.

We need someone to teach several introductory art history classes, as well as Women in Art.

It’s a permanent, tenure-track position, and it’s yours if you want it. ”

Tenure track? Oh. Adrenaline fizzed in her stomach. Oh wow. This was everything she’d been working toward for the past decade! “I want it.”

“You won’t be teaching ceramics in this new position,” he warned. “Enrollment was too low to continue those classes, but it’s something we could discuss further down the line.”

“I understand.” That was disappointing, but—like Michelle’s contract with McGraw Hill—it was a stepping stone. Audrey left Stuart’s office a few minutes later, dazed and blinking back unexpected tears.

She had a job. She could stay at Northshire, and she got to keep her Women in Art class. She wanted to jump up and down like an excited child. She’d made peace with leaving, but she’d always, always wanted to stay.

Michelle stood from the chair she’d been sitting in. “Good news?”

Audrey nodded breathlessly. Her eyes were still watery, and there was a real chance she’d burst into tears the moment she shared her news. Maybe Michelle sensed this, because she led Audrey outside, away from the students and colleagues milling around in the lobby.

Outside, the February air slapped Audrey’s face in a rush of cold. The campus was blanketed in knee-deep snow, making the sidewalks look like trenches. Audrey would be seeing a lot more of this campus in the wintertime. And every time of year.

Tears spilled over her cheeks, happy tears, tears of relief .

“The hiring committee has approved a new position, kind of a combination of our jobs because of the budget cuts,” she said in a rush. “I won’t be teaching ceramics anymore, but it’s tenure track, and it’s mine ... on one condition.”

“What condition is that?” Michelle asked, her breath crystallizing in the air between them.

Audrey blinked, and more tears broke free. “That you want to stay in Vermont with me. I need to know it’s what you really, truly want.”

“Darling, this is exactly what I’ve been hoping for.

” Michelle reached out to tuck a lock of Audrey’s hair behind her ear.

“I told you I don’t feel trapped here any longer, now that it’s my choice to stay.

I quite like my little house on the hill.

In fact, I hope you’ll move in with me and Muse when your lease is up. ”

Audrey grinned, swiping at her cheeks. “Oh my god, are we U-Hauling right now?”

Michelle scoffed, even as a smile tugged at her lips. “Hardly. We’ve been together for months already. If anything, we’re moving slow by lesbian standards.”

“I’m not a lesbian, but I still love it.” It was starting to sink in now. She had finally landed a tenure-track job, and it was right here at NU, teaching one of her favorite classes. She and Michelle both had new jobs, and they were going to be so happy together.

“I’m sorry about your ceramics classes,” Michelle said.

“Me, too, but it’s okay. Maybe I can teach ceramics at the community center or something.” She paused as a new idea occurred to her. “What if I bring you in as a guest lecturer in my Women in Art class? You could teach about Eliza St. Claire.”

Michelle’s lips curved. “That might be nice.”

“And we’ll spend our summers in the UK and wherever else we want to go. It’s going to be perfect.” Audrey grabbed Michelle’s coat and pulled her in for a kiss. Her heart was absolutely bursting with joy.

“Oh my god!” someone squealed behind them.

Audrey turned to find Gia from the Pride Coalition standing there in a purple puffy jacket. “I knew there was a vibe between you two at the Halloween party. Sapphic kissing in the middle of the quad? I’m so here for it! Carry on ...” With a wave, she continued down the path.

Michelle chuckled. “What do you say we head home before we create any more of a spectacle of ourselves?”

“Home, yeah. I like the sound of that.” Audrey gave her another quick kiss. “So, how soon can I start moving in?”

“As soon as you like, darling. As soon as you like.”