I almost gasp. Say what? Abe thought the test was hard too? Is he just being nice? Abe is really smart, and if he thought the exam was hard, maybe I’m not too dumb to live.
“You… you thought the test was hard?”
“Oh, definitely!” Abe says, nodding vigorously. “I don’t know what Conlon was smoking when he said it was easy. That was brutal.”
“Yeah, it sort of was,” I say, perking up for the first time since handing in my test paper.
“Some of the pins in those bodies…” Abe shakes his head. “I mean, I had no idea. I felt like I was looking at an abstract art exhibit.”
I finally smile for real. Encouraged, Abe continues, “And those multiple-choice questions on the written exam? I could have filled in the bubbles before seeing the test and gotten the same score.”
I laugh. “I know exactly what you mean.”
Abe rests his large hand gently on my shoulder. “Come on,” he says. “I’m going to walk you to your car.”
“Okay,” I agree.
“And then,” he adds, “we are going to drown our sorrows in pizza. And beer. I’m buying.”
I dutifully follow Abe to the parking lot. A minute ago, I’d been having some incredibly dark thoughts. Thank God for Abe.
10
Dr. Conlon is takinghis sweet time grading those exams. Honestly, this is sadistic. How can he make us wait so long? I’m going to get an ulcer at this rate.
After classes are over for the day, I find myself wandering in the direction of Dr. Conlon’s office. I don’t have anything in mind, exactly. I’m not going there to beg him to tell me my grade or anything.
His office is just around the corner from the anatomy lab, and I wonder if he can smell the formaldehyde from there. Of course, he’s probably used to the smell by now. Maybe it smells good to him. He probably likes it. You’d almost have to if you have a career in anatomy.
The door to Dr. Conlon’s office is closed, but I can see the light on under the door. He’s inside. I can hear soft voices talking, but I can’t make out any of the words. I hesitate, wondering what the hell I’m doing here. Do I really think Dr. Conlon is going to tell me my grade after saying flat out that he wouldn’t do that? I’m not that charming.
The door to the office swings open suddenly, and I jump back to keep from getting smacked in the face. And the person whosteps out is none other than Mason Howard. He seems equally surprised to see me.
“Heather!” His face breaks out into a grin. He always seems so cool and collected. And sexy, of course—hard to forget that one. “What are you doing here?”
“I just…” I clear my throat. “I needed to talk to Dr. Conlon.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah…” I wonder what Mason’s doing here. He isn’t here because he thought he had failed, that’s for sure. Maybe Dr. Conlon wanted to personally congratulate him for getting the highest grade in the class.
“Well, I’ll see you later,” Mason says with a wink.
He nudges my shoulder as he walks past. Don’t tell anyone, but I sort of love it when he touches me. My crush on Mason hasn’t abated in the least.
I peek into Dr. Conlon’s office and see him sitting at his desk, shuffling through some papers. His cane leans against the side of his desk. I’m debating whether or not to knock when he looks up and spots me.
“Dr. McKinley!” he says, a smile on his lips.
I try my best to put on a surprised face. “Oh, I, um, I didn’t realize this was your office, Dr. Conlon!”
He squints at me. “You didn’t?”
“No, I didn’t,” I say, continuing with my lie. “It’s, um, really nice. I like the, um…” God, I know nothing about decorating. “I like the wood.” Okay, that sounded awful. I have to say something else. “And… I like your bowtie.”
Stop talking, Heather. Right now.
“Um, thank you,” Dr. Conlon says, a perplexed look on his face. He adjusts his glasses on his nose. “Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?”
