Better Deeds Than Words (Words#2) (33 page)

“I just said I had some good news and some weird news. I didn’t want to freak him out by saying bad news…”

I lost my train of thought as Daniel emerged through the doors and began walking across the courtyard. He was wearing his sunglasses and had a jacket slung over his shoulder, sexy as hell.

“God, I love those jeans,” I whispered.

Julie smiled. “Can’t say I blame you. He definitely puts the ‘tight ass’ in TA.”

I snorted with laughter. “Don’t I know it. He makes my ovaries ache.”

“That sounds like PMS to me.” She chuckled.

I swatted her leg, shifting my chair around so that Daniel could sit between us. He put a take-out cup of coffee on the table and stowed his bag under his seat.

“Do I dare ask what you two are giggling about?” he asked.

I shook my head. “Not a good idea.”

“Yes, I get that distinct impression. Well, this was a great idea.” He scanned the Hart House quad. “What a beautiful day.”

“Yeah, Julie thought it might be quieter out here, too,” I explained.

“Good point.” He sipped his coffee and looked back and forth between us. “So? How do you feel? That’s it. No more classes.”

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” I said.

“It will. When you realize you don’t know what the fuck you’re doing with your life, it’ll sink in fast.”

Julie cocked her head.

“What?” he asked.

“You and the F-bombs. It’s so not you.”

“Julie,” I said, patting her hand. “He’s a foul-mouthed horn dog. Might as well accept that and move on.”

“Thank you, sweetheart,” he said, tilting his head and smiling graciously.

“You’re welcome, dear.” I beamed back at him sweetly, batting my eyelashes.

“You two are so adorable,” Julie whispered. “I can’t wait until you can be a real couple.”

I shrugged. “Meh, whatevs.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I’ll make you eat those words.”

My imagination quickly whipped up a variety of scenarios in which Daniel made me do all sorts of naughty things. “I look forward to it.”

“Ahem, excuse me?” Julie knocked on the table. “I’m still here.”

“You’re right, Julie,” Daniel said. “Aubrey gets carried away from time to time. I apologize on her behalf.”

I rolled my eyes and settled back in my chair. The easygoing banter felt good. In fact, I was so relaxed, I’d almost forgotten the reason we were meeting. Daniel had not.

“As much as I’d love to sit here and shoot the shit for the rest of the afternoon, I’ve been on pins and needles all day thinking about your cryptic message. What the hell’s going on?”

“You should tell him about your mom’s email,” Julie suggested.

“Okay, the good news,” I said. “My mom wrote to tell me she and my dad are paying for my trip overseas—as a graduation present.”

Daniel’s face lit up. “That’s amazing! You, of course, accepted this gift very graciously?” he asked, raising his eyebrow.

“I did my best,” I said.

“Good. You must be relieved. I know you were worried about paying them back.”

I tried to decide if he was getting in a subtle dig about my stubborn refusal to accept money from him, but he looked entirely sincere. I decided to take his comment at face value.

“It’s a weight off my shoulders.”

“No doubt. So, let’s hear the weird news. You got a strange email, you said?”

Julie looked down at her hands in her lap, as if she felt like she was intruding on our conversation. I didn’t feel that way at all. I was infinitely more comfortable with her there. I turned to Daniel and lowered my voice, which was completely unnecessary, but since Cara’s warning I’d felt more paranoid than ever.

“I got an email from the English department telling me to go over there today to make an appointment. They want to interview me for some reason. My first instinct was that they’re calling me in to question me about something to do with you—with us.”

Daniel visibly blanched. The blood actually drained from his face. He took his sunglasses off and rubbed his eyes wearily.

“I wanted to wait until I knew more about why they want to see me,” I said, “but I knew you’d be upset if I didn’t tell you right away.”

“No, of course, I’m glad you told me. You have no idea what it’s about?”

“I made an appointment for the interview after class. Julie came with me. I asked the secretary what it was about. She said she makes appointments, but she’s not privy to the reasons behind them.”

“I thought maybe it had something to do with her GPA,” Julie suggested. “You know, maybe they want to meet with students who are probably going to graduate with distinction—”

“But it’s the
graduate
office, Julie, not the undergraduate office, so that doesn’t make sense,” I pointed out.

Daniel put his glasses back on and sighed. “When did you schedule it for?”

“Wednesday,” I said. “After I finish work, I’m heading straight there.”

“Well, don’t waste time and energy worrying. I’m sure it’s nothing to be concerned about.”

“Are you just saying that to try to make me feel better?” I asked him.

He smiled wryly. “Yes and no,” he said. “I have no clue why they want to see you, but don’t leap to conclusions and start fabricating all sorts of crazy scenarios.” He paused briefly. “That’s
my
job.” Even though he was smiling, I got the sense he was trying to placate me.

“But what if something really awful
does
come out of it?”

“Let’s cross that bridge if we get to it,” he said. “You need to focus on your exams. Your first one is Friday, right?”

“Yeah. I had to rearrange my work schedule for the next two weeks. I feel bad for Gisele—my exams totally mess up her routine, but I can’t do much about it.”

“And you’re going to stick it out there until July even though you don’t have to pay for your trip?”

“I have no plans to leave. I’d say things are pretty much back to normal with your dad. We’re getting along great, so July will be a breeze,” I explained.

“Mmm, we’ll see,” he said pensively. He sipped his coffee.

“Well, that was cryptic.” I looked at Julie. She just shrugged.

“Sorry. I don’t mean to be mysterious. I guess I’ve got a lot on my mind. Speaking of which, I can’t stay long. Martin wants to sort out tutorial grades, participation, attendance, that sort of thing. He’s expecting me any time.”

Julie cleared her throat conspicuously. “I’m gonna scoot and give you two a few minutes alone. Is that okay, do you think?”

“I think it’s fine,” Daniel said. “I’ll be leaving shortly, anyway. Thanks for being here today, Julie.”

“No problem. Okay, if I don’t see you before, maybe I’ll see you at the exam?” she asked as she packed up her bag.

“I might drop by for a bit, I’m not sure. Once the exam is over, well, I imagine I’ll see you then.” He glanced at me, his mouth turning up in a small, secret smile. God, it was great to hear him say that.

I stood up to hug Julie.

“Let me know what happens, okay? And if you get any inside scoops on the exam, text me.” She nodded her head at Daniel with a mischievous grin.

“She’s the best,” I said as Julie walked away. “Somehow having her here for a bit made me feel less like I’m letting your father down. That probably doesn’t make any sense.” I bit my lip. “So, are you worried about this interview thing?”

“I’m sure there’s a logical explanation. Unfortunately, I don’t know what it is.”

“You don’t think Cara said something?”

He laughed cynically and took his glasses off, rubbing his eyes once more.

“What?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Oh, God. Nothing. If this plot gets any thicker, you’ll be able to stand a spoon up in it, that’s all.” He sighed. “Will you call me on Wednesday when you finish up with the interview? I know you’ve been avoiding calling, but I’d like to know what’s going on as soon as possible.”

He was right. With the exception of the panicky messages I’d left him when he’d disappeared for the weekend, I hadn’t phoned him once since I’d promised his father I’d cease contact. It was ridiculous at this point not to agree to call him. It was difficult spending time with Dean Grant, knowing I was going back on my word, but it was harder still being cut off from Daniel. I’d simply have to live with the stirrings of my conscience. I couldn’t have it both ways.

“Of course I will.”

“Good. Thank you. I don’t know how else I’ll get through the next ten days,” he whispered. “If I thought I couldn’t talk to you…” He shook his head, reaching for his bag and rifling through it.

“Ten days,” I said. “What are we going to do?”

“I’ve been trying not to think about it.” He handed me a large envelope. “But maybe this will help.”

“What’s this now?” I sighed.

“God, woman, you are so infuriating!” he said in a tone of mock exasperation.

“Okay, don’t get all Huffy McHufferson.”

His brows shot up with amusement.

I laughed and shook the envelope. It was open at the top, so I peeked inside. It was filled with numerous smaller envelopes.

“There are ten in there,” he said. “They’re dated. You get to open one every day between now and next Thursday, starting tomorrow.”

“Really?” My heart lifted a bit. “You’re so thoughtful, you know that?”

“Not really,” he said. “I’m actually a selfish bastard. This is to make sure you don’t forget about me while we’re apart.”

I chuckled. “Don’t even joke about that. That’s not remotely possible.” I glanced into the envelope again. “I’m so excited to have something to look forward to every day.” I stowed it in my bag. “But I don’t have anything for you. What will you have to look forward to?”

He licked his lips and made a great show of staring hungrily at my mouth before slowly lowering his eyes to my chest and then my legs.

“Don’t worry, Aubrey. I think I have
plenty
to look forward to.”

I was early. Too early. It was too late to walk around the block or something to burn off nervous energy, so I sat in the chair in the English department office waiting room. I clasped my hands together and tried to remain calm. It didn’t work.

I thought back to my morning and the meeting I’d had with Dean Grant. He’d been awarded the provost position and was leaving Vic. He was thrilled; I was not. The student residence advisor, Elaine Armstrong, had been named his successor, and I was not a fan of her. Matt had experienced her wrath in his first year over alcohol infractions, and she’d been less than compassionate. In fact, she’d been a downright bitch. Working with her would not be pleasant—I was almost sure of it.

I groaned. Thinking about Elaine Armstrong was not inspiring calmness. I needed a distraction. I pulled my backpack onto my lap and fished around for the two envelopes from Daniel I’d already opened.

I took out Tuesday’s card. A photograph Daniel had taken of Professor Brown’s classroom was attached to the front. I peeked inside to re-read the Shakespearean quote he’d included with a comment underneath:

“Did my heart love till now?”

I’m with Romeo on this one. My unsuspecting heart didn’t know what hit it that day. Nine days, poppet. I love you. ~D

I ran my fingers across his words, marveling at the way he could communicate so much with the smallest gesture. He remembered everything; our earliest meetings and exchanges were just as etched in his mind as they were in mine. I popped the card back into my bag and took out the one I’d opened this morning before heading off to work. On this one, he’d attached a picture of the old seminar room to the front of the card.

I gazed at his accompanying words.

I was inexplicably drawn to you from the first moment
I saw you in Professor Brown’s classroom, but everything became clear when we sat together in that seminar room. You were the beautiful, warm, outspoken, intelligent, sexy woman I’d been looking for. I sat beside you, looked into your eyes, and thought, “Well, there you are. Where’ve you been all this time?” Eight days. So very close. ~D