I clear my throat and stir my latte with feigned nonchalance.
“Yeah, I think you mentioned something.”
He laughs, shaking his head.
“You’re a complicated man, Professor.”
“Complicated? I think that sums me up pretty well.”
“I agree.”
“Although I’m not sure you meant it in a good way.”
“That depends. Complexity has to be studied, understood, before it can be appreciated. It’s not easy to look at every detail of every shades, and work out where the light hits best.”
His explanation leaves me floored; it’s as if his words were stroking me, one by one, before resting lightly on my skin.
“And you have towantto see it in the light. You have to want to see its colours. But not everyone can.”
I’m just about to ask him whether he thinks he could, when a voice from behind me interrupts my thoughts.
“Professor Quinn, I thought that was you.”
I get up and greet him. “Mr. Walsh.”
He peers around me to get a good look at my date, then flashes me a sneer, turning his attention back to me.
“I see you haven’t changed much.”
I clear my throat and straighten my glasses on my nose.
“Always younger, always… Bad. I knew you weren’t into nice guys.”
I cough loudly, glancing quickly over at Eric in the hope he hasn’t heard.
“Some things never change.”
“It’s been nice to see you, Mr. Walsh,” I say, cutting him off. “Now, if you’ll excuse me… I have company.”
“I don’t want to keep you.”
“Take care.”
“You, too,professor.”
He walks away slowly, but not without casting me another meaningful stare, plunging me into total humiliation. I sit back down, but am not brave enough to look Eric in the eyes. I take a sip of my now-tepid coffee, hoping to swallow my embarrassment.
“What was that?”
“Mmm?”
“Whatever just happened.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“That guy… There was something unsaid between you.”
“What?” I take another sip, wishing that there were whiskey in the mug, instead. “What are you saying?” I shake my head, pretending to be offended. “He’s a student. He took one of my courses last semester, and…”
