Free Finn, Amber - Her Prized Student (Siren Publishing Classic) by Amber Finn Page A

of the situation would hit her and she would end up in a ball on the floor crying uncontrollably. She tried to convince herself it was the hormones, but she knew it was because she was scared to death about the prospect of having lost her job and finding out she was pregnant within twenty-four hours of each other. While she couldn’t, or wouldn’t, do anything about the pregnancy, she could do something about her recent unemployment. After packing up her office, Avery decided she would contact the department chair at Weston University, where she received her doctorate. Weston had been good to graduates in the past, and Avery was a star student.
    With a plan in place, Avery packed swiftly and efficiently. She hoped to get out of the department without seeing anyone. It was to her advantage that summer break had begun, and most of the faculty had already left for their holiday vacations. Avery got the boxes to her car and came back to the office to do one last sweep before leaving her keys on the department secretary’s desk. She was on her way out when Amelia came knocking at her door.
    “Oh, good! I’m so glad I caught you before you left. I am so sorry things had to end this way, Avery. I had no idea Ken had those pictures. I never would have pushed you to get back together with Blake if I had known, honest. Did you tell him what happened? He must have been furious!”
    Avery interrupted Amelia, “Amelia, stop. He doesn’t know what happened because I haven’t talked to him since I’ve returned home. We are not back together. It isn’t going to work—the two of us, that is.”
    “But why? What happened? He’s crazy about you. I don’t understand.”
    “Well, apparently he wasn’t crazy enough about me to say no to…” Avery paused. As much as she disliked the fact that Blake let Leslie come to his home and attempt to seduce him, she felt that should remain between the two of them. While Amelia was Blake’s aunt and Avery’s friend, she was also the department chair and would not take kindly to learning that Blake had even just a close encounter with an undergraduate. Avery continued, “…to that ‘other woman.’ She did try to seduce him but only got as far as kissing him before he asked her to leave.”
    “Well, that is disappointing,” Amelia conceded, “however, how many men his age do you know would have shown a woman to the door after she had offered herself?”
    Amelia stood and hugged Avery.
    “Where will you go?”
    Avery always considered herself an honest person, but she knew if she told Amelia her plan, Amelia would tell Blake. “I thought I would go to the MLA this year and put my name out there. Will you give me a reference if I get any bites?”
    Amelia nodded sadly. “The best. I’m going to miss you, dear.”
    She turned and left Avery’s office, leaving her standing by herself in the empty room. Avery never felt so alone in her whole life.

    * * * *

    Blake drove up Avery’s driveway, not quite sure what he would say when she opened the door. They had not spoken since the conference. He had not been able to get her out of his mind and knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Avery. He prayed she would feel the same when he proposed. Blake knew Avery was upset that Leslie came to his apartment. He should have told her about the visit. But in his own defense, she wouldn’t even take his calls. If she had, would he have mentioned it? He was calling her about the conference. Blake had to get Avery to see the past was in the past, and that she was his future.
    He got out of the car and dread overcame him. The house was too quiet, as though Avery hadn’t been here in quite a while. Blake thought it would be best to give her some space after the conference and went to visit friends. He hadn’t been home in over a month. Maybe he waited too long. He peered in the windows and saw an empty living room. His dread proved true. But where would she go? She loved this house