Free The Weight of Words (The WORDS Series) by Georgina Guthrie Page B

I said with a grateful smile.
    Was I PMS-ing or something? I honestly felt like I could cry. I was desperately in need of some parental love.
    “If it’s not too busy, put aside the inbox items for Gisele to work through this afternoon. Help the walk-ins, but take it easy, all right?” he said.
    “I’ll try to get a few things done, but I appreciate your concern.”
    He smiled in a warm, fatherly way and went into his office, closing the door. It must have been a gift from God because there were maybe half a dozen walk-ins just needing help with straightforward issues. When I wasn’t helping those students at the counter, I stayed at my desk, sifting through emails, taking it easy, and trying not to feel guilty about leaving so many items in the “to-do” pile for Gisele. I worked my way through a couple of cups of coffee, and by the time I left for University College I felt a little better.
    Julie was sitting in our row when I arrived at the lecture. I flopped into the chair beside her, unable to disguise my lethargy.
    “Wowza, you look like hell,” she said.
    “Thanks. I love you too.”
    “You’re not hung over, are you? You didn’t drink that much last night. I, on the other hand…” She grimaced and rubbed her temples.
    “I’m so bagged, Jul. Everything’s catching up with me, I guess.”
    “Yeah, I feel your pain. I’m pretty beat, myself. Think I’ll catch a nap this afternoon before the play tonight.”
    “A nap is definitely in the cards,” I said. “And you were full of win last night. You were turning heads like nobody’s business.”
    “Oh, stop it,” she said, waving her hands with a “carry on” gesture.
    I laughed, thinking about the way the guys had been sizing her up at the concert. She’d been a dancing machine. “So, do you want to meet in the Hart House lobby tonight, say quarter to seven?” she asked.
    “Sounds like a plan, sweetie.” I stifled an enormous yawn.
    When Professor Brown and Daniel arrived, I quickly made the very scholarly observation that Daniel’s wrinkly navy blue button-down shirt did fantastic things for his eyes. I kicked my own ass for caring and slumped back in my seat to listen to Professor Brown’s lecture. Within forty minutes, The Taming of the Shrew was put to bed. I had no doubt there would be a lively conversation about it during the tutorial, although I wasn’t exactly feeling up to the challenge.
    With Professor Brown’s departure, I quickly pulled my things together and told Julie to hurry up. I was all for getting down to that tutorial room pronto so I could pick a choice spot. I planned to sit in the middle of one of the long sides, hopefully nowhere near Daniel. I leaned against the doorframe when I reached the room, ensuring I’d be the first one through.
    Cara glared at me. She probably thought I was planning to stake out the same seat I’d sat in last week, hoping Daniel would sit beside me again.
    Well, you are all kinds of wrong, you tart .
    Finally, Daniel came sauntering down the hall. Yeah, Shawn might have a point. Daniel did have an air of arrogance. I’d been too intoxicated by his other qualities to pay any notice. As Daniel approached, he cleared his throat.
    “Excuse me, Miss Price,” he said, rousing me from my thoughts.
    I moved away from the door enough for him to be able to unlock it. Clearly I was still hovering too closely because he was forced to clear his throat again. I took another step back, and he pulled the door open wide. I bolted through and walked halfway down the table, pulling out a chair four seats from the end. Julie sat beside me.
    Cara gaped at me. I drew the swift conclusion that there was a potential career choice for her if all else failed—a kickass human fly-catcher. She sniffed with an affected air of superiority and pulled out the chair I’d sat in last Friday, “saving” the seat beside her for her dingbat best friend.
    As everyone took their seats, Daniel had the option of sitting