I certainly have.
CHAPTER2
Lucy
What the hell just happened?Because there is no way I saw Cody Anthony for the first time in thirteen years, standing next to my ex-husband. I mean, seriously, what are the odds of a woman’s two exes even meeting, much less being friends?
Are they friends? No, Joseph doesn’t have true friends. But why else would Cody be standing there next to him?
By the time I get back to my office, my heart is racing, and my hands are shaking. I’ve always wondered how I’d react if I saw him again. I’ve had fantasies that he would see me out with my wonderful husband and family… I’d be happy, and then I’d see the regret on his face. But no, instead, I see him when I’m divorced and barely making ends meet.
Damn, he looked good, too. He’s not the skinny high school boy I fell in love with. No, he’s all muscle, filling out his suit in a way I thought could only exist in my fantasies. Thirteen years, and with one look, the man has left me a jumbled mess.
I have an hour to get myself together before my next class. I wipe under my eyes. I’m crying? Why the hell am I crying? I’ve already dealt with the pain he caused years ago, haven’t I? Dammit! Why is he here?
“Professor Taylor!”
Oh no. I forgot to lock my office door. I don’t even have to look up to know who’s standing in the doorway. It’s Randy.
I know I’m supposed to like all of my students, but let’s be honest, Randy is an asshole. He comes from a rich family, as do most of the students here, but his attitude is more entitled than most. Even his clothes scream money. The kid only wears designer clothes and just in case anyone wasn’t sure, the buckle of his Gucci belt would settle the matter. Frankly, I can’t deal with him today.
He manages to have some issue requiring him to visit me during most of my office hours. He’s not as subtle as he thinks. His questions might be about my class, but his eyes rarely leave my chest.
I want to tell Randy to go to hell, but after an incident my colleague had last year, if I broach the subject, this kid could report me for sexual harassment. And something tells me he knows that.
“Sorry, Randy. I’m running late.” Thankfully, I forgot to take my coat off, so I gather up my laptop and place it in my bag to support my lie.
“Oh, so no office hours today?”
Not glancing up, I bite my cheek to calm my impatience. “No, not today. I’ll see you in class later.”
Not taking the hint, Randy asks, “Did you go to the opening of the new building?”
“Only briefly.” More like, ‘Yes, but then I ran away when I saw my ex’.
I already knew Joseph had been tasked with giving a speech. Why him? No idea. He has nothing to do with the sciences. Maybe that’s why I went… To watch the sonofabitch fail. But of course, he didn’t. He never does.
Randy hasn’t budged. “Let me walk you to your appointment.”
Shit. No way am I going to be seen walkinganywherewith Randy.
“Sorry, Randy, but I’m late for a phone meeting.” I pull out my cell phone and hold it up.
Please take the hint and leave.
He smirks. “A phone call meeting?” His eyes take in my bag with my now packed up laptop and then they slowly move to my coat. Then he winks. “Okay, see you later.” He leaves, closing the door behind him.
I breathe a sigh of relief that he left. I don’t really care if he believes me. I lock the office door to avoid any more interruptions. As soon as I sink back in my chair, my mind wanders back to Cody. He towered over Joseph at the podium. I’d forgotten how tall he was.
“Damn you!”
Cody was my first love, and he broke my heart. Left me so numb that I fell for Joseph’s lines. No one can compete with what I had with Cody. Or so I thought. Apparently, it was all in my head. Fiction. Because that man left the first chance he got, right after graduation. He didn’t even stick around for Suzie’s party after the ceremony.
I grab the tension ball I keep on my desk and squeeze. Who knows if it works, nonetheless I need to do something, or I’ll scream. I don’t know why he’s here. I should let it go. Odds are I won’t see him again.
But the universe is clearly laughing at me, because there’s a knock on my door. I don’t move, hoping whoever it is will go away.
“Lucy, it’s Cody. Please open the door.”
