Fraternization Rule (Risque Contracts Book 3)(23)

“You know she’s putting off school?”

Again, a nod. I didn’t see the need to speak.

“Is it because of the fraternization rule?”

I sighed, “Yes. We couldn’t live without each other and there was no way for me to go with her. So, she’s putting off school until my contract is up.”

Paul leaned back in his chair and studied me, making me feel like a kid who’d been sent to the principal’s office.

“Gabe, we love having you on staff here. The students and the faculty have nothing but wonderful things to say about you. And, one of the things that makes you a good professor and role model is your dedication and sense of responsibility. This is why I was rather surprised that you never approached me about being let out of your contract. I could have gone to the board and presented your case.”

“I accepted the contract. I didn’t feel right about asking to be released, especially only a semester into it.”

“That’s exactly my point,” the dean responded. “So, I did it anyway.”

I sat up straight and peered at the dean. “Excuse me?” I wanted to be very sure I understood him before getting my hopes up.

“I went to the board and convinced them to let you defer, instead of Miss Young. When she has finished her master’s degree, she’ll have to look elsewhere for a doctorate so that you can return to teaching here, unless you’re married of course. But, I know it’s a little early for you two to even be thinking about that route.”

“Wait,” I interrupted. “What do you mean, unless we’re married?”

“Oh, well, if the two of you eventually get married, it makes you an exception to the fraternization rule, as long as she isn’t enrolled in one of the courses you teach,” he explained.

“Paul, Charlotte and I are engaged.”

His bushy eyebrows flew up into his salt-n-pepper hair. “You—you are—already?” he spluttered.

I laughed, “I know it seems crazy to others, but it’s right for us.”

Paul scratched his head, looking at me curiously. “I guess, um—well, anyway. As long as you’re married by the time she registers for fall classes, you can both continue at the university.”

I stood, unable to contain my excitement. I reached across the desk and pumped his hand up and down. “I appreciate what you did for me, Paul. That was incredibly generous of you. But, I’ve got this covered.”

I ran from the office without waiting for a reply. Grabbing my coat and bag from where I’d left them in the front office, I sprinted out to the car and sped home. Then I made a mad dash up to our apartment, flinging the door open. “Sweetheart?” I called.

“Kitchen!” she yelled back.

When I got to the room, I scooped her up, making her yelp in surprise, and threw her over my shoulder before heading straight to the bedroom. We got to the bed and I tossed her down, letting her bounce a few times before landing on top of her.

“You know I love you, right?” I asked fervently.

She was still giggling from bouncing on the bed, but she calmed and placed a palm on each of my cheeks. “Of course, and I love you too, more than anything.”

I kissed her softly and grinned. “How fast can I get you to walk down the aisle with me?”

“Umm...” She blinked at me in surprise. “When do you want to get married?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Tomorrow.”

She laughed and then stopped suddenly when she noticed I hadn’t joined in. “Not tomorrow,” she said firmly.

“When?” I pushed.

“I hadn’t—well, I guess we could get married at the end of the summer. Before you start school again?”

I grinned. “Perfect. How about the first weekend in August? That will give you time to get registered for classes and get used to being Mrs. Aldric before beginning classes.”

Her eyes widened, utterly confused.

“I talked to the dean today. He told me that there is an exception to the fraternization rule. If we are married and you aren’t in any of my classes, we can both continue at the university at the same time.”

She couldn’t seem to get words out of her cute little rosebud mouth, just opened and closed it a few times.

“Oh,” I added, “I’d also like to point out how you picked the date.” I smirked. “Notice how I didn’t make the decision for us?”

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, “But you would have, wouldn’t you?”

I winked at her. “Guess you’ll never know, will you?”





Epilogue


Charlotte


Swiping gloss over my lips, I studied myself in the mirror and decided this was as good as it was going to get today. I was incredibly tired, but it was graduation day so I’d put a little more effort into my preparations this morning than I had in a while. Energy which was well spent if the look of Gabe’s face as he walked up behind me was any indication.