Free Professor Cline: Redeemed (Professor #2) by J. M. La Rocca Page B

replied, her eyes full of interest.
    “Mel and I went out the other night, and guess who high-jacked our one-on-one dinner? John Cline, Tim’s dad, and Tim.”
    “No way.”
    “Yeah. John insisted we sit with them so we didn’t have to wait for a table. And it actually wasn’t so bad. I mean, they mostly talked business and all, but I had to endure a conversation with Tim. Can you believe he asked me out on a date?” I said with a laugh.
    “What about the bimbo?”
    “He said they weren’t seeing each other anymore.”
    “What did you say to Tim?”
    “I never had the chance to respond because John started asking me about school and how Mason was treating me in his class. I don’t fully remember the entire conversation, but somehow my dating life got brought up, and I may have mentioned I was seeing someone. Tim pretty much ignored me for the rest of the night after that.”
    “Oh, wow,” Victoria said after taking a sip of her coffee.
    “Yeah, I probably wouldn’t have said anything either if Mason hadn’t texted me.”
    I picked up my coffee, drinking slowly as she looked me over.
    “He sent you a text?”
    “Yes,” I responded then went into detail about the rest of the night.
    “Well, I guess that answers my question on how things are going then.”
    “There’s nothing going on,” I said, trying to convince myself, along with her.
    She raised an eyebrow at me. “When he kissed you, did you kiss him back?”
    I looked out the window as the memory of that kiss played back in my head, and a small smile formed on my lips.
    “Never mind,” she said with a laugh. “You don’t even have to tell me. I know the answer by the look on your face.”
    I met her gaze and my smile grew bigger.
    “So, what are you going to do?”
    I shrugged. “I have no idea. Have you ever been in a situation where you knew you should back away, but if you did, you might miss out on something wonderful?”
    Victoria shook her head. “No, I can’t say I have. And that, Em, is exactly why I keep asking you how you’re doing. I know you’ve said the relationship you guys share is nothing and you’ll try to blow it off as some casual fling, but that’s the furthest from the truth and you know it. There is something there. I know he hurt you, but if you feel like there’s something worth fighting for then why not try? There are too many unhappy people in the world. Make yourself happy, Em, because no one else can do that for you.”
    “I don’t think it was just some casual fling, but yes, I am scared. He has a lot of baggage and—”
    “Who doesn’t?” she replied, cutting me off. “He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who gives up something he wants.
    “I know,” I said with a smile. “He’s kind of dreamy, isn’t he?”
    She laughed.
    “He did tell me that night that he didn’t care that he was my teacher. I know what he was trying to say, that if he got caught, it wouldn’t matter to him. But if I’m caught, it means my whole career could go to shit.”
    “I don’t know what to tell you,” she said, shaking her head. “You just have to be careful. Don’t do anything to get yourself caught. Stay out of the public eye, or go to a different part of town where you’re less likely to be recognized. It’s only for a few more months. If you want it to work, you’ll make it work.”
    I held the cup in my hands and looked out the window, letting her words sink in. She was right. She was always right. I’d swear she needed to be a counselor or a therapist. She always gave me the best advice or made me think of things I never would’ve dreamed of. She helped me put things into perspective.
    I did want things to work. I liked Mason. He was gorgeous, smart, successful, dominant, and mysterious. There were things about him I didn’t understand, but that just intrigued me more.
    “Maybe I should give him a call.”
    “Maybe you should.”

 
Twelve
     
    Mason
     
    Students filed out of the room from