Second Chances (99 page)

Within three hours they were in bed.  They were tired, Brian from the ride, Sarah from the cleaning and teaching.  And they were both emotionally drained.  Brian was spooning Sarah.  She had rolled immediately onto her side when she climbed into his bed and had pulled his arm around her.  He didn’t need any convincing.  He loved being wrapped around her, holding her close like his human teddy bear.  Brian could get lost in the sweet scent of her hair, the silky smooth texture of her skin.

It was no wonder he loved her.  He tried to remember the last time he had felt like this.  Hm.  Maybe never.  Then he tried to remember the last time he’d known anyone like her.  Again, he knew he never had.  What was it about Sarah that he found so intoxicating?  What made her so special?  That was easy.  She was beautiful and didn’t seem to know it.  She was intelligent and smart.  She had a great sense of humor.  His list could have gone on and on, but Sarah interrupted him.

She had sighed, a sound of pure bliss, and asked, “What are you thinking about right now?”

He had pondered being honest with her for about three seconds, seen the danger in it, and said instead, “I was just relaxing, trying to wind down.  I guess I wasn’t thinking anything.”  He bit his lower lip.

Sarah rolled over, looked him in the eye, and said, “I don’t believe you.”  It wasn’t an accusatory tone, just a simple statement of belief.

Brian smiled and laughed.  “What are you thinking?”
He asked; eager to change the subject.

“I know what you’re doing,” she said wisely, and shrugged.  “I’ll play along.”  The tone of her voice changed, becoming more playful.  “Right now I’m thinking, ‘How can I be sharing a bed with such a bad liar?’”  She giggled and rolled away as he playfully tickled her.

How could he ever be mad at her for long?  Hell, he wasn’t mad at her to begin with.  He was hurt.  And he’d rather have this, these times together as friends than none at all.

Josh met her at her office the next morning wearing a scowl.  “Here,” he said, shoving a canvas tote bag at her. 

“What’s this?” She asked quizzically without peering inside.

“Clothes,” he said angrily.  “I thought you might need some since you didn’t come home last night.”

Sarah’s eyebrows peaked in surprise.  “Wow,” she began, “this is really thoughtful of you.”

“You don’t need to act so shocked.”  He crossed his arms before him.

“Oh, it’s not an act.”  She stopped, realized the sarcasm was a bit unnecessary, and said, “I’m sorry.  I forgot how nice you could be.”

“That’s okay,” he said, turning to leave her office.  “I’ll see you later, okay?”

She nodded and sat back in her seat.  From her vantage point, she could tell that Brian was watching her.  He quickly posted a message on the board.  She read it and responded immediately.

“He brought me clothes!”  She drew in a surprised face, and posted it in her window.  There was a knock on her door.  Far from shocked, she had actually anticipated his arrival.  Evan was standing in her door.

“I waited until that guy left,” he said in explanation.

“Okay,” Sarah said.  She knew he wanted to ask, and she refused to tell him anything that he didn’t.

“So, was he a student?”  He bit on his lower lip while he waited for her answer.

“Nope,” she said watching him.

“A friend?”  He took a step into her office and studied her.

“Used to be.”  She crossed her arms over her body.

“I don’t suppose you’d just tell me so we can quit playing twenty questions?”  He looked exasperated.

Sarah sat up and leaned on the desk.  “I don’t suppose it occurred to you that it might be none of your business.”  She stared him down.

“You’re right,” he said quietly.  He took a moment to truly look at her.  “Hey, you’re wearing the same clothes you had on yesterday.”  Evan waited for her to comment, and the longer it took, the higher his eyebrows rose.  “So, are you going to tell me?”

She sighed and let out a hollow laugh.  “The man is my soon-to-be ex-husband.”  She wasn’t about to comment on the clothes.  He shrugged, sat across from her, but said nothing.  “What?”  She was thoroughly annoyed with him.

His eyes narrowed as he decided how to respond.  “I don’t know.  He just doesn’t seem like your type.”

Sarah grew more agitated.  “Well, it just so happens he’s not.  And what does that mean, my type?”

Evan leaned toward her.  “You should be with someone who is educated, sophisticated, a great conversationalist, witty, and charming.”

Sarah rolled her eyes.  “And wherever would I find such a catch?”

Evan smiled a slow smile that exposed his glistening white teeth.  “Oh, I’m sure you’ll run into someone that fits that bill somewhere.”  He stood up and left the office.

When she looked out the window, a new message was posted.  “Who’s he?”  She rolled her entire head this time and smacked herself on the forehead. 
Not again,
she thought, grabbing at her board.  “Evan Winters.  He noticed.”  And she stuck the board against the window for Brian to read.  She watched him read the message.  She looked down at her papers a moment, expecting to find a new message in his window when she glanced back, but instead he was gone.

“What?”  She wondered aloud as she scanned Brian‘s office.

Brian came rushing through her door, a bit out of breath.  Sarah smirked.  “You know, if you plan on dashing over here very often, you may want to take up jogging.”  She was trying to stifle a giggle.

“I found that method of discussion inadequate today,” he said, trying to pull himself together and return to his role as the consummate professional.  “Now, Evan Winters.  Why does that name sound familiar?”

Sarah leaned over her desk and smiled at him.  “I’m going to guess it’s because I mentioned his name last night.”

“That’s right,” he said.  There was a brief pause.  “Now, why did you mention his name again?”  Everything about last night was a little foggy, except for the part where he held Sarah all night long.

“Evan Winters is going to ask, nay, possibly even beg to be in your class.”  She folded her hands on the desk as she smiled up at him.

“Huh,” he said leaning back and rubbing his chin.  “So, should I let him?”

“You are asking me?” She leaned back and thought for a moment.

Brian nodded earnestly.  “Yes, I value your opinion.”

“Then, I guess.  I’m sure he’ll work hard for you.  He only messes with me.”  She scowled a bit.

“Then maybe I shouldn’t let him in.”  He frowned.  He was fiercely protective of Sarah.     

Her look softened.  “No, let him.  The sooner he graduates, the better.”

Sarah was just packing up for the day when Evan waltzed into her office.  “Professor Waite told me I should thank you,” he said.  She looked up.  “So thank you, but why would he say that?”

She smiled.  “He wasn’t sure if he wanted to let you in, but I told him to.”

He leaned back arrogantly. 
Evan Winters, you dog,
he thought,
you’re getting through to her.  She will be your greatest conquest to date.
  “Well, then I’m even more thankful than I thought I was,” he said to her.  “Let me prove it.”

Her right eyebrow arched involuntarily as she faced him.  “Really, and how do you plan on doing that?”  She was a little annoyed with the implication.

“Let me take you to dinner.”  He was putting on the charm now.

Sarah shook her head resolutely.  “Nope.  No dinner with students.”  She pulled her bag over her shoulder and walked toward the door with her keys in hand.

“Come on,” he said.  “No one will know.”

“This is a small town.  Everyone always knows.”    They were in the hall now and she was locking her door behind her.

“Well, what if we accidentally met at a bar for drinks?”  He leaned seductively against the wall while he waited for her response.

“Nope.  I don’t go to bars.”  She started walking towards Brian’s office.  Evan was still tagging along.

Brian was in the hall outside of his office waiting for her.  He smiled the minute he saw her heading his direction, but frowned when he saw Evan was tailing her.  He watched the young man and what he saw didn’t impress him.  Sarah stopped in her tracks and turned to face Evan.

“You don’t have to thank me any more than you already have,” she said seriously.  “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”  She started to turn and walk to Brian.

Evan reached out and grabbed her arm.  “One of these days you won’t be turning down my hospitable offers,” he predicted flirtatiously.

Sarah looked down at his hand on her arm.  He removed it instantly.  “One of these days you’ll remember who you’re speaking to,” she said through gritted teeth.  She turned and found Brian at her side.

“Is there a problem?”  He asked, trying to hide his displeasure.

“Not really,” she said, more confident now that Brian was by her side.  “Mr. Winters stopped by to thank me and got a little carried away.”

Evan pulled himself to his full height as he addressed his professor.  “I think everything is okay now, though.  Wouldn’t you agree, Professor?”  He addressed Sarah.

She nodded then looked up at Brian.  “So, are you walking me out, sir?”

He smiled down at her.  “I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’”  She glanced over at Evan.  “Good afternoon, Mr. Winters.”

As they left the building, Brian commented on how she addressed the young man.  “Mr. Winters?”  He queried.

Sarah stopped.  “Yes.  I keep hoping that if I show him respect, he’ll be more formal with me as well.  He’s too comfortable with me, too at ease.”  She shivered.  “He makes me a little nervous sometimes.” 

Brian’s eyebrows rose.  “How do you mean?”

“I don’t know how to explain it, really.  I guess I just feel like he’s always plotting and planning.  He hangs around my office too much.”  She shrugged her shoulders, unsure of how else to explain her feelings.