I looked over at Jude and Nesto who were getting up too. “We should be heading out. Easton’s on a super early wake-up schedule and I’ve started getting up with him and heading to the gym before class.”

We exchanged hugs and goodbyes and soon were walking up the street to our cars. Easton looked at me and pointed at my black SUV that was parked right by his. “Do you want to leave your car here and go in mine? I can drop you off here in the morning.”

I laughed at the suggestion, because it made zero sense. “That would mean you driving like forty minutes tomorrow morning for no reason. So, no thank you,” I said, unable to keep a straight face at his hurt expression.

I pulled on his scarf so I could give him a kiss and when he pulled back he seemed in much better spirits. “That should tide me over.”

I was about to get in my car when he tugged on my hand, not letting go. “Hey.” The way he said it, made me turn fully around.

“Hey, yourself.”

He put both arms around my neck, and looked up at me, eyes locked with mine. “I could fall in love with you, Professor Denis.” His voice was clear and strong.

To my surprise my response to his words seemed just as certain. “I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with you.”

Radiant.

That was the only word for the smile the words got me, and the kiss afterward was so sweet I felt greedy that I got to have all of it.

After a few more kisses, Easton pulled back, biting on his bottom lip. “Does this mean I get, ‘we said I love you sex’?”

I shook my head, laughing as I got in my car. “When have you ever not eventually gotten what you want from me?” I waved as he grinned at me in answer. “I’ll see you at home.”

I saw Easton quickly get in his BMW and drive off while I checked my Twitter account. I had a bunch of stuff in my mentions. People tagging me on different events and posts related to race relations in Ithaca. I responded to some and retweeted the less incendiary ones. Everything else I just let sit there for now, tonight I would be a little selfish, like my mother had said. I felt so good right now, I wanted to hold on just a little longer.

I’d been on the road for about fifteen minutes when my phone rang. I had on those magnetic things where I could mount the phone on the dashboard, so when the screen lit up I saw it was Easton. I smiled and shook my head as I hit the Bluetooth button on the steering wheel to take the call.