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Wild(25)

By:Sophie Jordan


            I lifted one shoulder. “Yeah. It’s just a thing . . . he calls me.”

            “Cute.”

            I felt Reece’s stare on my face, but refused to look, too worried I would see confirmation in his eyes that he knew I was slightly infatuated with his player of a brother.

            Climbing inside Reece’s Jeep, I wrapped myself in this knowledge that nothing more would happen between Logan and me. First of all, I would have to ask for it and that would be like me asking Mom to share stories about my real father with me. Yeah. Not in this lifetime.

            Second, I was leaving soon. When I returned in the fall he would be at Kellison. I would see him less often and not face the temptation of his presence.

            I could almost convince myself I was glad about this.





            Chapter 6

            I KNOCKED ONCE ON my advisor’s door before stepping inside. The office smelled like musty books and Taco Bell burritos. A quick glance at the overfull trash bin confirmed that Dr. Chase ate most of his meals there. “You wanted to see me, Dr. Chase?”

            He’d written a note on my last paper for me to come see him during his office hours. I’d enjoyed his class this semester. As much as one could enjoy Labor Law and Policy. It just spoke to his teaching ability that he made the course work interesting.

            “Yes, have a seat, Georgia.”

            I still clutched my paper in my hands.

            He came around his desk and sank into the chair opposite mine. He tapped at the paper. “This is good work, Georgia.”

            A flush spread through me. “Thank you.”

            He crossed his legs, gripping his ankle where it rested on his knee, showing off his plaid socks. “You have a strong control of language. It’s a gift. Half the time when I read an undergrad paper, I feel like I’m wading through a jumble of words to get to the point, but you have a better handle of the material than most graduate students.”

            My chest swelled. I wished my mother were here to hear this.

            He continued, “What are you doing this summer?”

            “I’m going home.”

            “And home is . . .”

            “Muskogee, Alabama.”

            “Hmm. Not a bustling metropolis.”

            “No, sir. I’m looking into an internship at a bank—”

            “Filing and making coffee.” He shook his head. “It’s a waste of your talents. You’ll learn nothing. One of the grad students I’d hired to assist me on my research this summer had to back out. I have an opening.” His gaze fastened on me, his dark eyes steady through the lenses of his glasses. “It’s a rare opportunity, Georgia. The other two students assisting me are grad students and I still need a third—”

            “Yes,” I blurted. He hadn’t even mentioned pay or the research topic, but I didn’t care. This sounded a lot better than going home and working at the bank. And the best thing of all? I could stay here. Mom wouldn’t love the idea, but she would have to acknowledge it as a great opportunity. It was an academic endeavor that actually paid.

            “Excellent. Speak with Doris, the department secretary, and she will gather your information. We’ll be in touch regarding our first meeting.” Dr. Chase stood.

            I rose, too, grabbing the strap of my messenger bag. I shook his hand, maybe a little too vigorously in my eagerness. “Thank you.”

            He smiled, already looking distracted as he dropped my hand. “See you soon.”