Free The Good Student by Stacey Espino Page A

that blissful state between consciousness and unconsciousness.
    They finally arrived. He parked the car and slipped out to open the passenger door for Kaya. Her black dress rose up her thigh as she set one foot on the asphalt. He couldn’t resist raking his eyes up her body. His groin stirred as his imagination took over.
    “You look beautiful tonight. I prefer this look on you.”
    “As opposed to my stripper outfit?” Her cheeks blushed. He ran the backs of his fingers along the flush, and she leaned into his touch. After a single soft kiss to the lips, he took her hand and led her to the entrance.
    ****
    Kaya watched as Mr. Taylor shrugged off his suit jacket. The crisp blue shirt he wore underneath matched his eyes. He loosened the knot in his tie and settled in comfortably across the booth from her.
    “This is nice,” she said, appraising the restaurant. The dim lighting offered an intimate atmosphere, making it difficult not to get lost in the moment. She imagined many men brought their future wives here to propose. Soft classical music, barely audible, drifted out from the sound system.
    Hayden maintained a soft smile. His eyes were squinty and flirty, lines creasing the outer edges.
    “What?” she asked. He wouldn’t take his eyes off her.
    “Just enjoying the view.”
    Kaya leaned over on her elbows. “So, we’re here. Alone. Tell me about yourself.” She played with her curls and he reached out to spring a few himself, which appeared to amuse him.
    “I’m divorced.”
    “Cynthia told me. How long were you married?”
    He exhaled as if disappointed. “Fifteen years.”
    That was news to her. He’d been committed to one woman for fifteen years? She felt insecure just knowing that. Would she have felt better if he'd only dated casually his whole life? She didn’t want him to compare her to his ex-wife, the educated professor that could tear her apart in a battle of wits. If they were married that long, he had to of been deeply in love with her. She wondered what the previous Mrs. Taylor looked like and how good she was in bed. Kaya may have had youth on her side, but not experience.
    “I thought I did well making it eight months.”
    “So you have an ex?” This also appeared to amuse him, but he tried to appear serious. She supposed compared to fifteen years, eight months was a joke.
    “Nothing like you. We were just dating and it ended very badly. That was the longest I’ve ever lasted in a relationship.”
    “Does he go to the university?”
    “No. Not ours. Actually, he dumped me when I transferred.” She chuckled without humor. “I really know how to pick ‘em.”
    “Don’t blame yourself. He’ll regret that decision one day. You’re not the type of woman a man should be able to give up so easily.”
    “I’m not?"
    “That’s why I’m here. And I want to know everything about you.”
    He reached for her hand and cupped it between both of his in the centre of the table, but broke away when the waiter approached. The young man recognized Mr. Taylor. This relationship was destined to failure.
    The rest of the evening went by pleasantly. They enjoyed a light, quiet meal. Mostly Kaya listened to the couples around them talking because her date seemed lost to his own thoughts half the time. Occasionally, he’d glance up and give her a half-hearted smile, and she began to wonder if the whole idea of trying to start something with him was a huge mistake.
    “What was your wife like?” she asked after a lengthy silence. The question sounded wrong when it passed her lips.
    “Not nearly as beautiful as you. But I don't want to talk about her.”
    His words snared her heart in a tight bind making breathing difficult. Why did he affect her so strongly?
    “Hmm. I was starting to think you regret the whole idea of taking me out tonight.” She fiddled with the straw in her soda glass.
    “I’m sorry. My mind is processing a lot of stuff right now.”
    She nodded. They were on a date and he