Sunshine In The Morning (Spring-Summer Romance Book 1) by Alex Greenville Page B

up. Seemed, too, like he’d had his hair cut. He was curiously poker-faced though.
    “ You will grade everything from here on,” he continued. “Contrary to what you’re thinking right now, this isn’t because I’ve become incapable. With the exception of finals, which I am required to grade, I believe seeing what the person on your left or right is thinking will help you understand the subject better. With that in mind, trade with the person directly behind you. Students in the back row, bring yours to the front.”
    Lydia did as instructed, knowledge dropping into place. Karen, too, with yet another glance, made it clear she understood. This was him protecting her grade, and though no one else would understand that, it showed his intention where they were concerned.
    Frankly, when she’d texted yesterday, she’d had her doubts. She’d had twenty-four hours to convince herself he’d come to his senses, after all … and decide seeing her was too much and leave her out in the cold. Never mind, that didn’t sound things he’d do. He was far too kind to treat her so callously. Still, she’d listened to the negative voice in her head repeating over and over and over – He’ll never risk his job for you.
    His reassurance in their texts earlier in the day hadn’t kept the voice quiet. Though she’d read his replies dozens of times already, she’d expected him to call things off. Because there was no reason why a man as great as him would find happiness with a girl like her. That’s what her doubts all boiled down to.
    He was none of the horrible things people would associate with a professor who took this risk. He wasn’t perverted or desperate or greedy. And he’d already lost so much in his life, but now he was willing to take that chance again?
    At the end of class, Lydia was quick to leave and somehow managed to dodge Karen as well, but as the next couple days passed, grew more and more antsy until she had to see him or explode. Though he’d said he would contact her, she gave into her anxiousness and sent him a message. Can I come over?
    Her reply came seconds later. Yes, tonight.
    But, there again, anxiety took hold. It’d been so easy to see him before. She hadn’t given any thought to being caught in the dorm or the parking lot. She hadn’t worried that someone wondered where she went. Now, she even spent an hour debating on what to wear. If she looked too nice, her roommate would ask questions. It’d been all she could do to explain her absence last weekend. And, God forbid, she run into Karen again.
    Nervous, her stomach curling in on itself, she couldn’t eat for feeling like she’d hurl, so instead, she did classwork she could have delayed simply to keep her mind off of it. Finally, at a quarter ’til seven, acting as calm and natural as she could manage, Lydia exited her dorm room and made her way downstairs.
    She wanted to run to her car, she’d pent up so much energy, and had to force herself to slow down. Every noise seemed amplified as well, the crunch of her shoes, the hum of nearby traffic. Even the night’s early insects were at a new volume. Her hands shook as she cranked, her fingers slipping on the wheel, then she accelerated too hard in reverse.
    The college faded in the background, replaced by shuttered businesses, restaurants bustling with customers, and eventually, the quiet narrow streets of his community. She took her time driving to the door and once parked, exhaled, willing herself to relax.
    With a check in the mirror, she patted her hair, snagged her purse, and climbed out. The distance from her car to the door looked like a mile. The street lamp at the corner seemed to aim directly at her. She ducked beneath the eaves, her breaths rattling and rang the doorbell with her forefinger.
    There was no sound for an uncomfortable length of time, then Aarin’s familiar tread crossed inside. The deadbolt clicked followed by the door lock, and the door itself sucked