AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know, my dad’s an attorney.”
I laughed at his comment. “Is there a reason you’re listing your father’s résumé?”
He continued with his stupid, pointless blustering. “I’ve seen the way you look at her. How old are you, anyway? Like fifty?” He said the number through a twisted sneer, and I wanted to punch his entitled, clueless lights out.
“Time to go, junior.” I took two steps in his direction, and the coward skittered back toward the door. “I’m not sure what your problem is exactly, but don’t come around here again, or I’ll report you to the dean. From what I’ve seen and heard, Ms. Farsey has told you to leave her alone several times. If Daddy Dearest is a lawyer, you might want to hire him for when you’re charged with stalking.”
“She’s my girlfriend, dumbass.”
“It’s my understanding she dumped you.”
“No. We’re just going through a rough spot. That’s why I wanted to see her today. It’s our anniversary, and, well, I know she’s probably missing me. I wanted to give her another chance.”
I couldn’t hold back my chuckle. Shaking my head, I said to the kid, “Look. Spare whatever dignity you have left and go home. Like I said, she’s not here. Even if she were, I doubt she’d speak to you. I’m pretty sure she’s moved on, you know?”
Now I was just being a dick, but the kid had it coming. My words were like a punch to the stomach, based on his deflating physique and facial expression.
“Run along, Joe. If I see her, I’ll tell her you stopped by.” While I was talking, I steered him toward the door without laying a hand on him. Whether I talked a good talk or not, the last thing I needed was trouble with the university. This was the exact kind of student to make my life a living hell.
His demeanor turned on a dime, and instantly he was angry again. “It’s Joel,” he said, nearly shouting. “My name is Joel, and you can’t tell me what to do. Or to leave. Or stay. I came here to talk to Maye.”
I took a step back. “And I told you she’s not here.”
“Where is she?” he demanded.
“How the hell should I know? She’s my intern, dude. Not my BFF. Leave right now, and we’ll forget this happened. Keep shouting at me, and my nosy coworkers will be in here to see what’s going on, and then you’re going to wish you had left when advised to do so.”
“My father will—” he began to threaten just as my door flew open.
It was Ms. Donnio, exactly as I predicted, and she wore a mixture of curiosity and concern on her unattractive face.
“What’s going on in here? Andrew, do you want me to call security?”
“That won’t be necessary. This young man was just leaving. Weren’t you, son?”
“I’m not your son, old man.” He muttered the last part under his breath as he pushed past Rebecca, almost knocking her over.
With her usual tendency for overreacting, she threw herself out of his way much more physically than necessary.
I rolled my eyes at the show and ushered her out the door right after the kid.
“Thank you for checking to see what the commotion was. I owe you one.” With that, I shut the door and leaned my back against it. What a ridiculous way to end a ridiculous week.
If I considered just that interaction with that young nutcase, I’d have to question if associating with Maye Farsey was worth the trouble. But the truth was so much more complex. The past two days had been interminable without her here to brighten this shabby office. Even the work—the very same work I’d always been passionate about—didn’t hold the same appeal without her across our much-too-small shared desk to enjoy it with.
I’d had so much time in my own head. Analyzing and overanalyzing what it was exactly about that young lady that enthralled me so completely. In total candidness with myself, I labored over listing the traits that lured me to her. And no kidding, I was brutally honest with myself.
What would probably surprise most people who didn’t know me very well was that our vast age difference wasn’t even on the list. I’d never been one of those men who found young women appealing. Likely because I interacted with students all the time. I was too aware of the immature, insecure, and flighty tendencies my female students possessed. Definitely not the things I looked for in a mate.
But not Maye. I smiled just thinking about how different she was. Not just from her peers but most of the women I’d ever dated. She was thoughtful in a way most people weren’t. She existed beyond herself, and it was obvious in so many ways.
One time in class, I’d watched from behind the monitor of my laptop when she didn’t know I had my eye on her. She helped a classmate pick up the contents of her handbag while everyone else stepped around them, grumbling and even laughing about the mishap.
Now, to some, that might not seem like a big thing, but that very same girl she’d helped had been vocally critical of Maye just days before. To the extent that Maye had left class early. But the beautiful, graceful, and kind object of my desire set that experience aside and helped, simply because someone needed a hand. She was made of goodness and light, and it was so damn rare.
She was also organized and methodical in the things she did. Two habits I valued in my own life. Seeing a woman her age with the discipline and focus she had captured my attention early on. And then held it for the entire semester, leading me to choose her specifically for this internship. I knew she’d be the perfect person for the position. The incredible spark that we discovered between us was just icing on the cake.
Or a major roadblock, I supposed, depending on who you asked. I was choosing to embrace it, celebrate it, explore every aspect of it. From what I could tell, Maye was on board with doing the same.
