The Professor - Ch. 18.2

“First of all, let me just say that I had no idea your little brother was ill,” Baron began once they were alone in his office with the door closed. “Had I known, I would have understood, excused you from class today, and sent study notes to your student email account.”

“Well, now you know. Can I leave now?” Aurelia retorted, ready to go home and crash into bed until it was time to go to her evening job. She didn’t have time to waste on a jealous man. Not today. Maybe not ever with all the stuff going on in her life. Aurelia had enough problems to contend with.

“Not yet. I also want to apologize for that boyfriend comment. I was jealous and totally out of line back there,” Baron admitted, once again setting precedence for open and honest discussion between them.

“What right do you have ta be jealous, Professor? You changed yur mind ‘bout me first, remember?” Aurelia’s eyes flashed fire. She was too emotional right now to hide any of her feelings. Too angry to appreciate how quickly he was to admit when he was in the wrong.

Baron shook his head. “No, I didn’t.” Even now he still wanted her, still loved her.

“Well, explain Jordin den,” Aurelia demanded, revealing a touch of jealousy of her own.

Baron instantly detected that jealousy and was highly pleased by it. Where jealousy dwelled there was hope of reconciliation, however slight.

“I only went out with Jordin because I thought you were dating Claude,” Baron confessed; ready to set the whole record straight.

“Dating Claude? What in de world would make you tink dat, mon?” Aurelia frowned.

“I heard you agree to go on a lunch date with him back in October. Ever since then I’ve seen you two around campus together.”

“Any time I eva spent wid Claude has always been 95% school-related and 5% social. Dat October lunch meeting was no different. We had ah lot ta discuss ‘bout dat big lab project you assigned us.” She paused to take a deep calming breath before continuing. “As for me dating Claude, he knows friendship is all I have ta offer him. All I will eva have ta offer him. I made dat very clear on numerous occasions.”

Baron’s eyes widened. “So all this time we’ve been functioning under yet another misunderstanding?” Hope continued to grow in his heart.

“It would seem so,” Aurelia replied, coming to the same conclusion as her accent lightened in direct response to her falling ire. “But unlike you, I’m still available.”

Baron closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled. She was still available.

Available!

Opening his eyes a few seconds later, Baron whispered, “I’m still available, too, baby.”

© 2009 by Mi’Chelle Dodson/Suprina Frazier