Chapter 17
**Sara**
I tried to focus on the lecture. But whenever Tom - Professor Blackwood, I reminded myself sternly - turned to write on the board, my eyes had their own mind. It was like they were magnetized to his backside.
The rest of the class dragged on like molasses. I caught maybe one word in ten, too distracted by my mortification and the memories of our night together. By the time Tom wrapped up the lecture, I felt like I'd run a mental marathon.
"Alright, that's all for today," he announced, his voice sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. "Remember, your first assignment is due next week. Please come see me during office hours if you have any questions."
As the class began to pack up, a flurry of whispers and giggles erupted around us. I swear, half the class was already planning ways to need "extra help" with their assignments.
I shoved my laptop into my bag, ready to quickly exit. But a traitorous part of me wondered if Tom might approach me after class. Would he acknowledge what happened between us? Maybe he would pull me aside for a private word.
I lingered longer than necessary, fumbling with my bag's zipper. Jessica gave me a knowing look.
"Waiting for something? Or should I say, someone?" she teased.
"No!" I said too quickly. "I just... can't get this stupid zipper to close."
But as the last students filtered out of the lecture hall, Tom simply gathered his things and headed for the door. He didn't even glance in my direction.
I felt a mix of relief and... was that disappointment? Get a grip, Sara, I chided myself. What did you expect, a declaration of love in front of the whole class?
"Well, that was anticlimactic," Jessica said, echoing my thoughts. "I was hoping for at least a smoldering look or something."
I sighed, finally managing to close my bag. "It's better this way. We're keeping things professional."
"Professional? Honey, there's nothing professional about the way you were eye-fucking him for the past hour."
"Jessica!" I yelped, looking around to make sure no one heard. "Could you be any louder?"
She just laughed. "Come on, let's go get coffee. You look like you need it after that... stimulating lecture."
As we walked out of the classroom, I stole one last glance at Tom's retreating figure. He was chatting with another professor, looking completely at ease. Meanwhile, I felt like I was about to spontaneously combust from embarrassment.
"You know," Jessica said as we headed towards the campus coffee shop, "this could be the start of a beautiful student-teacher romance. Like in those cheesy novels, you pretend not to read."
I groaned. "This isn't a romance novel, Jess. This is my life, and it's currently a complete disaster."
"A hot disaster," she corrected with a wink. "But seriously, what are you going to do?"
"I don't know. Pretend it never happened and hope I can actually learn something in his class without constantly reliving our night together?"
"Good luck with that. I give it a week before you're sneaking into his office for some 'extra credit'."
"You're terrible," I said, but I couldn't help laughing. "Come on, I need caffeine if I'm going to survive the rest of this day."
"Come on, I need caffeine if I'm going to survive the rest of this day," I said, practically dragging Jessica towards the campus coffee shop.
"Excuse me, Sara?"
I froze mid-step, my heart doing a somersault in my chest. That voice. I knew that voice all too well.
Slowly, I turned around, praying to every deity I could think of that I was hallucinating. But nope, there he was. Tom was walking towards us with purposeful strides.
Part of me wanted to bolt, pretend I hadn't heard him, and make a run. But the rational part of my brain (the part that wasn't busy reliving our night together in vivid detail) knew that would only make things more awkward.
So I stood there, rooted to the spot, like a deer caught in headlights. Jessica seemed to be thoroughly enjoying my discomfort.
"Well, hello there, Professor Hottie," she said under her breath, elbowing me in the ribs.
I remained silent, my tongue suddenly felt too big for my mouth. Tom reached us, his eyes flickering between Jessica and me.
"Hi," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Professor Blackwood."
Jessica's face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. "Oh, I know exactly who you are," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Jessica, Sara's best friend and confidante. I've heard so much about you."
I wanted to die. Right there, on the spot. Just spontaneously combust and be done with it all.
Tom's eyebrow quirked up, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. "Is that so?" he said, his eyes sliding over to me.
I managed to find my voice, even if it was more of a squeak. "Jess, please shut up."
Tom chuckled. "Actually, Sara, I was hoping to speak with you. In private, if that's alright."
Jessica's eyes widened, and I could practically see the wheels turning in her head. "Oh, of course," she said, backing away with a grin that could only be described as shit-eating. "I'll just go grab us those coffees, Sara. Take your time."
And with that, she was gone, leaving me alone with the last person I wanted to be alone with right now.
I stood there, feeling like my heart was about to burst out of my chest. Tom's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
"So," he began, his voice low and intimate, "I guess nature had some other plans for us after all."
I blinked, trying to process his words. "What?"
"Remember? I said we might meet again if nature had other plans. Looks like it did."
Oh God. He remembered. Of course he remembered. I felt my face flush as the memories of that night came flooding back.
"I... I never thought I'd see you again," I stammered, trying to regain my composure. "This isn't... I mean, I'm not... I don't do one-night stands. That was a one-time thing. I never wanted to try it again."
"Is that so?"
I nodded vigorously, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. "Absolutely. It was a mistake. A... a momentary lapse in judgment. We need to be professional now. You're my professor, and I'm your student. That's all."
Even as the words left my mouth, I cringed inwardly. Was I really lecturing him on professionalism? Me, the student who'd slept with her professor before he was her professor?
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