Page 76 of Love and History
“Yes, he lent it to me when he spilled soda on my sweater at the Del Taco last month.” Her gaze took on a dreamy look that spoke volumes. “I haven’t had a chance to return it.”
“Del Taco,” I repeated lamely.
Mallory wrinkled her nose, then pushed her glasses when they slipped. “I don’t make a habit of frequenting such establishments, but I wanted to chat with Ezra about you.”
“About volunteering?”
“And transferring schools.”
I frowned. “I’m not following.”
“As you may know, Ezra works at Rossman and Engle. I haven’t done well in your class, and my father thought Ezra might be able to help me through his connection to you. And he did.”
“How? Knowing Ezra has nothing to do with your Physics grade.”
“My father disagrees and he’s rather smart about—”
“Shakespeare, you’re on. I need to take this robe off and cool down before—Mallory.” Ezra’s royal robes twisted around him as he spun to face her. “Uh, what are you doing here?”
She pushed his jersey at him, fluttering her eyelashes behind her thick glasses. “I’m here to check in for volunteer duty and to return your jersey. Dad offered to bring it to the office for you but I wanted to personally thank you for your help. Did you get the roses?”
Ezra’s mouth hung open for a beat. “Yousent those roses?”
“Yes. Well, Dad’s secretary did. I forgot that you haven’t been working for him this month. Jules would have spilled the beans and you probably would have called me, but that’s okay. I’d like to personally and formally thank you in person for helping clear the path for my transfer to USC.”
Ezra shook his head vehemently. “Honestly, I didn’t do anything.”
“Nonsense!” A slick-looking older man pushed past the curtain barrier and patted Ezra’s back, flicking the feathers on his hat. “Check you out! You’re a star. I gotta give you credit, Ezra. You really throw yourself into an assignment, man.”
Ezra sputtered. “Yes, but I—”
“Dad, this is Professor Galymer,” Mallory interjected.
The man thrust his hand at me. “I’m Tag Rossman, Mallory’s dad and Ezra’s boss. He told us about your involvement in the Renaissance fair, and while it’s not usually our cup of tea, this is fun. We were happy to donate to the cause.”
“Donate?”
“Yeah, between you and me, it’s a beneficial arrangement for all. One of the board members at USC is a big animal rights activist. He loved that Mallory was involved by association with your cause. It’s a nice feeling to kill a couple of birds with one stone…or a few grand,” he added with a smug laugh.
“Oh, right. Thank you for your philanthropy,” I replied numbly.
“You’re welcome, Professor.” He nodded in acknowledgment, then punched Ezra’s bicep and winked. “See you at the office tomorrow. Let’s go, Mallory.”
Mallory hung back and sidled next to Ezra. “Dad told me that you were concerned about our age difference. It doesn’t bother me. I’d be happy to go to dinner with you sometime.”
She smiled sweetly and kissed his cheek, then waved good-bye to me.
Ezra took his hat off and raked his fingers through his hair, turning to be sure we couldn’t be seen or overheard from behind the oak tree. “None of that was what it sounded like.”
“I was your assignment?”
“No. I didn’t take an assignment. I just—”
“You helped my student transfer schools. Her boss gave money to the HRS. You knew, and you never mentioned it. That’s what it sounds like.”
He growled. “No, no. That—no. I mean…yes, he asked me if I could finagle a meeting with you or whatever, but I told him that wasn’t in the cards ’cause A, that’s creepy and B, you were busy here, so—”
“You suggested volunteering instead,” I replied matter-of-factly.