The Tantric Principle(25)
“Why didn’t you get one?” he asked.
Her face suddenly turned melancholy. “I couldn’t offer a dog anything. I work evenings and weekends. It wouldn’t be fair.” She shook off the emotion and looked up. “How about you?
Animal lover?”
“Huge. Dog fan. Grew up with a dog most of my life, and ended up leaving my last one back in Chicago with my ex-wife. Like you, it hurt almost as much to leave the dog.”
“And now?”
“Just like you. I put everything into the school and don’t want to feel guilty. I needed to be selfish for a while.”
The words lay between them and pulsed with hidden meaning. Grant was happy. Had been happy for a while, until a witchy siren floated into class and stole his peace. Suddenly, he wanted a dog again. He wanted her to stay. He wanted a life of permanence and white picket fences and an herb garden. Jesus, what was wrong with him?
Almost angrily, he stood up. “I have a lot to take care of. Enjoy Cloud. I’ll hook up with you later.” He turned and strode away.
Arianna watched him go with a mix of emotions she didn’t want to name. Since the night of his confession, she remained distant. She slept in his bed every night and went to class, but struggled to keep the deepest part of herself separate. Because she knew he could destroy her. He already had with those cleverly thought out words. She loved his honesty, but realized he may not feel as deeply about her, at least not enough to want to make their relationship permanent.
A shadow fell over her, interrupting her thoughts.
Missy and another student, Hannah, stood before her, smiling. “Hi, Arianna,” Missy greeted. “Who is this cutie pie?”
Unease danced down her spine, but she answered casually. “This is Cloud. How are you guys? Did you get a pet of your own yet?”
Missy and Hannah didn’t wait for an invitation but plopped down on the grass beside her as if they were close friends. “We have cats for the day. I may keep mine, my apartment is pretty conductive to animals. How about you?”
“We’ll see.”
“You work a lot though, don’t you? Long hours. Advertising, isn’t it?” Arianna held back a groan at Missy’s pretend interest. This was going to be bad. Very bad. Arianna prayed for yoga strength to hold her temper. Or at least not curse. “Yes, I work in advertising. You’re still taking classes to be something, right?” Direct hit. Missy liked to flaunt her youthful body, but not her mind. At least, not until it settled on a career. “I’ve actually decided I may be branching out to teaching.” White teeth gleamed like pearls caught in the nasty grip of an oyster. “In fact, Grant has agreed to bump me into the teaching classes as soon as I get certified. I could be his assistant.” Arianna steered clear of that one and decided to exit. “That’s nice. Well, I better get going and—“
“Arianna, don’t go yet." Hannah jumped in as her role of wingwoman. "We wanted to ask you a few questions. How’d you do it?”
She blinked. “Do what?”
Hannah leaned in. “You know, finally get to Grant. Missy has been trying forever, and he has a really strict code about dating his students. He told both of us that and always seemed to live by the code. Until you.” Hannah licked her lips in lusty anticipation of a story. “So, what did you do?”
Arianna knew the conversation was taking a nosedive. Fast. Soon Missy would be eating concrete if she didn’t get out. “Nothing mysterious. Just had dinner one night and decided to continue. I really better go—“
“But he never goes out with students,” Missy insisted. “All of the other girls in class are shocked. Why did he break the rules for you? I mean, I’m glad you guys have something nice, but it’s thrown the class off a bit. No one feels comfortable anymore.” Temper bit her like a moody pit bull. Arianna straightened and decided to take them out.
Her voice rivaled an ice cube. “I’m sorry you feel uncomfortable, but it’s no one’s business.
Students should be concentrating on the class and learning, not getting the instructor into bed.” Hannah and Missy gasped in unison.
“Furthermore, Grant Madison does not date young girls in college who don’t know who they are yet. He respects you too much. I would advise you take advantage of his teaching skills and friendship, and stop gossiping about his personal life. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to take Cloud for a walk. After all, that’s what we’re here for today, right?” Arianna took her dog and left the couple sitting under the tree.