Free Limits by Liz Reinhardt, Steph Campbell Page B

better.” I gesture out to the roaring ocean. “It’s easier to accept that I’m just a blip in the universe here.”
    Genevieve looks at me, her face small and surrounded by the large hood. “Yeah. I get that. I come here when I can for that exact reason.”
    “I remember being nervous as hell when I was getting my BA,” I say. “You’re smart and hard working. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Maybe you can start visiting the ocean, you know, just to sunbathe and stuff.”
    Her smile is tight. “I know—the way I dress, how I present myself sometimes—it may seem like I’m shallow. But I’m way more into contemplating my place in the universe than I am into making sure I don’t have tan lines.”
    “I didn’t mean—I just wanted you to know that I have faith in you. That I think you’re gonna be just fine.” I want to touch her face again, press her hair back like I did before, but I don’t. And I probably never should have in the first place. She’s not mine to touch.
    “Whoa, Teach. Back up,” she says, a nervous giggle erupting out of her throat. “It sounds suspiciously like you’re trying to break up with me.”
    I brush my finger over her wrist and down her hand. She sucks her breath in and looks at me for a long second.
    “I would never choose to not be able to help you, Genevieve. I know I sometimes complain during our sessions, but I really do enjoy working with you. It just...it might not be my decision. Whether I stay or not.” I hold my breath and watch her face register what I said.
    Her brow furrows and her eyes narrow. “I’m sorry. Maybe it’s too much sea air, but I thought you just said you’re maybe not going to tutor me anymore?”
    “Cody is great. I’ll make sure he’s your tutor when I leave—”
    “What?” I’m shocked at how loud her voice is. “Cody is not going to work! I need you , Adam! You and only you! Do you hear me? I will fail without your help! I will flunk out , and that’s not possible, Adam!” She’s standing on the slippery rocks now, a few feet away from the foaming, frothing explosion of ocean below.
    “Genevieve, sit down,” I say, keeping my voice calm and trying to make eye contact, but she’s flying off the handle. I stand next to her, try to lead her away from the edge. Man, karma is biting me in the ass hard. “Listen to me. It’s out of my control.”
    “Why?” she demands, her hands clutching at the front of my shirt. “Is it another program? Are you transferring colleges? Because I’ll just travel to see you. You have no idea how my life will fall apart if I lose you, Adam!”
    She means if she loses me as a tutor. I have to tell myself that, because, when I look down into her wild eyes, she makes my heart thud with a want I’ve never felt for anyone before.
    “It’s more complicated than that,” I tell her, but I can see from the way she pulls her mouth to the side that she thinks I’m lying. She thinks I’m giving up on her. “Genevieve, it’s legal stuff. It’s nothing I have any control over. There isn’t anything else I can do. Trust me, I’ve tried.”
    “There’s always something else.” She pulls closer to me, and I can feel the heat of her skin through her clothes. “Tell me. I’m amazing at solving problems. You tell me what’s wrong, I’ll help you figure it out. Okay?”
    I shake my head, and I get up the guts to put my hands on her face again. It may be one of the last times. Her skin is softer than I expected. I rub my thumbs over her cheekbones and watch her lips part. “I fucked up. I have no time left on my visa. I’m out of time, and I’m going to be sent back to Israel.”
    “Why? Your yeast trays, they aren’t done yet, right? You’re still checking them all the time. You have to finish those—”
    “I’ve used up all my extensions, Genevieve. They’re going to send me back.” I wonder if now is a good time to kiss her. I want to. God, she looks gorgeous, her