The Girl Next Door
Chapter 29

"I'll see everyone on Wednesday," Dr. Hayes announces, dismissing class for the day. Before the last word leaves her mouth, people scatter like rats trying to abandon a sinking ship. I look around, careful to avoid eye contact with Beck. He's one of the few students who hasn't shoved their s**t into their bag and taken off. I'd hoped that by ignoring him, he would get the hint and not wait around. It's not like we have anything to discuss. We made out a week ago. End of story.

Other than glancing at him when Dr. Hayes introduced me as the TA, I've kept my back firmly turned to him. Although that doesn't mean I haven't felt his gaze burning holes through me. It was all I could do not to squirm on my chair and peek over my shoulder. Somehow, I resisted the urge.

Barely.

It's shitty luck that I've ended up TA'ing for Beck's class. What are the odds?

I've tried so hard not to think about the way he touched me at the club, but it's always simmering in the back of my mind. I'm ashamed to admit how many self-love sessions I've had regarding that incident.

I just need to get through the school year, and then we can go our separate ways. I won't have to worry about running into him around every corner. When my heart clenches at the idea of never seeing Beck again, I sweep the feeling aside and ignore it. I give Beck a bit of side-eye only to replace him taking his sweet damn time packing up his stuff.

Ugh.

Can't the guy do me a solid and move it along?

A nervous sweat breaks out across my brow as I try to delay the inevitable.

"Mia," Dr. Hayes says, "do you have a moment?"

And just like that, a lifeline is thrown.

Thank you, Dr. Hayes!

With a rush of breath, I haul the strap of my bag onto my shoulder before racing to the podium.

First semester of freshman year, I ended up in Dr. Hayes' Composition class. I've always enjoyed reading, but she helped me fall in love with the written word. Dr. H gave me the confidence I needed to let my creativity flow. After that semester, I registered for every course she offered at the university.

From beneath the thick fringe of my lashes, I watch as Beck and his friend-who I'm guessing is also a football player, because he's got that whole doesn't-have-a-neck thing going on-pack up their belongings before moving to the center aisle and heading toward the exit.

A relieved breath escapes from my lips when the door closes behind them. I was looking forward to working with Dr. Hayes this semester, now I'm dreading it.

The pretty blond professor snaps her briefcase shut before glancing at me. "Thanks again for taking this position at the last minute."

The graduate student who was originally scheduled to assist her ended up taking the semester off, so she asked me to fill in. There's really not much to the position. All I have to do is copy handouts and grade papers. If there are students who need extra attention, I'll meet with them.

"It's not a problem," I tell her. "I'm happy to do it."

At least an hour ago, I was.

Now? Not so much.

"How's the law school application process going?" she asks. "Did you finish them up?"

I shake my head. It's another thing on my to-do list. "Not yet. I'll be working on them over the weekend."

"If you want me to proofread anything, just text me. I'm more than happy to help." She smiles. "I can't believe you'll be graduating this spring! It doesn't seem like all that long ago you were in my freshman comp class."

My lips lift at the memory. "Tell me about it. The last couple of years have flown by."

"I'm so proud of you, Mia. You've done well at Wesley, and I have no doubt that you'll get accepted at every school you apply to." She reaches out and squeezes my shoulder. "You're going to do great things, I just know it."

Her words of praise leave a thick lump of emotion sitting in the middle of my throat. "Thank you, I appreciate you saying that."

"It's the truth. You've worked hard, and now it's paying off."

"I hope so." There's a fear in the back of my mind that I won't get accepted into law school, and I'll have to figure out a plan B. "Everything will work out." She gives me a little wink. "We need more strong women in the world showing the boys how it's done."

I laugh and glance away. "I don't know about that." I've never considered myself a strong woman.

"With a great education, your options are limitless. Never sell yourself short."

"Thanks, Dr. H." Her words of encouragement mean a lot to me. She's someone I've always looked up to as a role model.

"You know better than that," she says with a mock frown. "When we're alone, you can call me Rebecca."

I nod.

"All right, we should get out of here. Unfortunately, I have an English department meeting to get to." She rolls her eyes. "Hopefully, there's still coffee left upstairs. Lord knows I'm going to need it."

I chuckle as she picks up her briefcase, and we head up the carpeted stairs to the exit.

After we push through the doors and into the corridor, Dr. Hayes says goodbye before turning toward the elevators that will take her to the fifth floor where the English offices are located. With one final wave, I pull out my phone and glance at the screen, noticing a few messages have popped up during class. As I take a step, a deep voice cuts through the quietness of the hallway.

"Hey, stranger."

I yelp in surprise and nearly bobble my phone when I replace Beck leaning casually against the brick wall.

Turns out I wasn't nearly as successful in evading him as I'd originally thought.

Damn.

My gaze rakes over him, taking in every detail. I'm powerless to stop my physical reaction to him. My heartbeat picks up its tempo, and a million butterflies wing their way to life inside the confines of my belly.

I grab the strap of my bag and hug it closer as if that will protect me from him. "What are you doing here?"

"Just wanted to talk." He stares at me as if trying to sift through all of my private thoughts. "Seems like you're avoiding me again."

Doesn't he realize that I'm always trying to avoid him?

"Sorry, that's not the case. It's been busy. Speaking of busy," I take a hasty step away and point toward my salvation which comes in the form of an exit, "I really need to go."

The corners of his lips tilt upward as he lazily pushes away from the wall and saunters toward me. "Calm down, Stanbury. All I'm after is some conversation." There's a pause. "For now."

That's exactly what I'm afraid of.

"What do you want to discuss?" Before he can open his mouth, I blurt, "If it has anything to do with Composition, you should probably speak directly with Dr. Hayes. In fact, if you hurry, you can catch her at her office." I don't bother telling him that he won't replace her there.

His lips tremble as if he's amused by my verbal diarrhea. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but you're the one I want to talk with."

"Oh." My shoulders fall.

"You kill me, Stanbury." A chuckle escapes from his lips. "Most girls can't get enough of me. And yet, you can't get away fast enough." He tilts his head. "I can't be the only one who sees the irony in that, can I?"

I shrug. "I guess you could always make it easier on yourself and replace one of them instead."

He moves closer until his body towers over mine. "You're right, it would be a hell of a lot easier, but those girls don't interest me. You're the one I'm after."

His candor has me drawing in a breath.

"Wait a minute." His eyes dance with humor. "Have I actually managed to surprise you into silence? Can't say I thought that would ever happen."

It takes effort to shake myself out of the stupor I've fallen into. "Beck-"

"Go out with me, Mia." He pauses for a beat. "Give me another chance."

Is he joking?

No way.

Even though part of me wants to give in, my better judgment prevails, and I shake my head. "No, that's not a good idea."

"And why is that?"

"Because," I gulp down my rising nerves before forcing out the rest, "it's just not."

He presses closer until I have to crane my neck to hold his steady gaze. His voice drops. "I'm sorry for hurting you, Mia. Give me an opportunity to prove I'm not the same guy."

A chance like that would require me to put my heart on the line, and I'm unwilling to do that.

Not even for Beck.

Or maybe I should say, especially for Beck. He's the one guy who has the potential to cause untold amounts of pain.

"No." My breath catches at the back of my throat when he reaches out and traces the pad of his thumb against my lower lip. It takes everything inside me not to close my eyes and sink into his touch. Instead of doing that, I force myself to retreat, creating a sea of distance between us. My Beck-induced haze subsides, allowing me to think clearly again.

"It's better if we remain friends," I tell him.

His brows lift. "Are we friends?"

Maybe.

Sort of.

When I keep my lips pressed together, he grins. "I guess that's a good enough place to start." He slings his arm around my shoulder and hauls me close. "What do you say we have lunch together?" He gives me a wink. "As friends, of course." "Um-"

No. Absolutely not. Every time I'm around this guy, I turn to putty in his hands.

"Excellent. I know the perfect place. You like subs, right?"

Not waiting for an answer, he steers me toward the doors that lead outside.

I groan.

What have I gotten myself into?

Better question-how do I get out?