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UCMB is my home. The students and staff, my extended family.
The quad is bustling with activity as students stream onto campus, chatting and laughing together. I weave through the crowds, a smile on my face. The energy is electric, a mixture of nerves and excitement for the semester ahead.
I climb the steps of the physics building, its familiar facade comforting in its predictability. Inside, students mill about, searching for their classes and greeting friends after the break.
Anticipation thrums through me when I enter the lecture hall. Another opportunity to ignite a passion for physics in these young, impressionable minds. I arrange papers on the desk at the front of the room, mentally preparing for the lesson.
The seats start to fill, my new students trickling in. Some faces light up with curiosity, an eagerness to learn. Others appear more hesitant, eyeing the empty board behind me and rows of desks with suspicion.
I know that expression well. The trepidation of facing a subject that seems intimidating and dull. The uncertainty of what the semester may hold.
But I’m here to show them physics can be fun.
The clock ticks closer to the start of class.
My students turn expectant eyes on me as I step forward, a hush falling over the room. I grin, grabbing a dry-erase marker. “Welcome to Introduction to Physics. I’m Professor Mason and contrary to popular belief, this won’t be the most boring class you’ll ever take.”
A ripple of laughter greets my words, the tension easing from their postures. I launch into an overview of the course, watching them closely. The seeds of interest have been planted. Now to help them grow.
The laughter of students mingles with the chirping of birds as I step outside, blinking in the golden sunlight. Taking a deep breath of the crisp autumn air, I smile. Another successful first day.
“Sandra! There you are.” I turn to see Maggie jogging over, her red hair glinting under the sun. We’ve been friends since our first year teaching at UCMB five years ago. “How was the intro class? Did you scare them enough for the first day?”
I chuckle, linking arms with her as we head across the quad. “You know me. I go easy on them…at first.” We share a laugh. “How about you? The freshman seminar go okay?”
“Oh, you know. The usual chaos and panic.” Maggie shrugs. “They’ll settle in soon enough. So, did you hear? The new hockey head coach starts today.”
My steps falter for a moment before I recover. “Oh? I didn’t realize the position had been filled.” An odd fluttering stirs in my chest at the news.
“Yeah! And the guy they recruited is like known worldwide and shit. The school’s thrilled they were able to snatch him. He’s an alum actually.”
* * *
Magnus Gunner. Even the name still sends shivers down my spine.
After all these years, here he is, strolling through campus like he owns the place. Like the prodigal son returned.
Those piercing dark eyes glance my way and, for a second, I forget how to breathe.
“Hi.” His voice is a low rumble, deepened by time, still capable of melting me on the spot. “I’m Magnus. I’m new here. Trying to find my way around. It changed a lot.”
Shit, I had a crush on the guy forever. “Of course, Magnus. Welcome back. I’m Dr. Sandra Mason. I teach Physics here.” I extend a hand and his envelops mine, big, warm and calloused. Oh My God…
A sexy smile tugs at the corner of his full, sculpted mouth. “Thanks. It’s good to be back.”
Back here, with me. I tamp down the giddy thought. “I heard you were taking over the hockey team.”
“Yeah, time for a new challenge.” He shoves his hands in the pockets of his jeans, driving my eyes to his thick, muscled thighs and the way the faded fabric molds to them with the gesture, his gaze still intently on me. “Truth is, I didn’t know exactly what to do with myself after retiring. But this…” A shrug of his broad shoulders. Good Lord, how buff is this guy? “This feels right.”
His uncertainty endears me. This is Magnus Gunner, hockey superstar. I never would have guessed.
My heart squeezes tight. Sandra Mason, you foolish girl. Did you really not get over this man?
“I’m sure you’ll do great.” I summon a smile. “The team is lucky to have you.”
“Thanks, Sandra.” His warm eyes meet mine again, crinkling at the corners, full bottom lip held between his teeth… and the air seems to hum between us.
I tuck a curtain of my long single braids behind my ear, pulse racing. “Well, I should get going. Lots of papers to grade.”
