“Dr. Williams, I’m sure I can meet with you later to discuss our work,” Victoria interrupted. “But still I’m confident that my idea will benefit all of our students. Especially those in Children’s Literature and the Early Childhood Education.”

Williams regarded her with a smug expression. “Yes, well, I suspect I’ll have a chance to look at your findings at another Curriculum and Policy Committee meeting. Good day to you both.” And with that, the old man took his leave, ambling in the general direction of the university.

John didn’t unclench his jaw until Victoria touched his arms. When he glanced down at her, she wore a pained expression. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

“For which part?”

Victoria hesitated, blinking her confusion. “That’s just Ken, I’m afraid. He’s even rude to the university librarians. I’ve heard the complaints.”

He couldn’t help his rueful grin. “He’s even rude to the university librarians... So little old me from the kiddie department should expect it?”

She frowned. “That’s not what I meant. He’s just a jackass who likes to throw his weight around. Hell, he’s been my nemesis since I took this job.”

John narrowed his gaze on her and tilted his head. “But you’re a professor, same as he.”

Victoria exhaled. “Not exactly. I’m an assistant professor while he’s been an associate for thirty years. He’s still my boss and one of the people who will sit on my tenure review. That man, and a handful of other men, hold my career in their hands.”

John took a deep breath and held it for a second. His irritation was threatening to ruin the special moment they’d shared before Dr. Williams’s interruption. But dammit, he was irritated. She’d called him an associate. What did that even mean? He couldn’t decide if it was because she was simply awkward or if she was embarrassed to acknowledge him. Surely, the old man saw them huddled together in an intimate manner. He had certainly looked John over in an attempt to size him up. An associate? “Look, I understand that academia is toxic. Despite my ‘practical’ education, I remember it being a cesspool of gatekeepers who kept the marginalized away. But you’re just as accomplished as that asshole.”

Victoria’s brows scrunched together. “Yes, but be that as it may, I still have to work with the old guard in order to make any progress.” She worried her thumbnail between her teeth. “In fact, he’s right. I still need to get his committee’s approval.”

John sighed. “Fine. Do what you think is necessary.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

He shrugged and said the one thing he reprimanded Becca for. “Nothing.”

She shot him a disbelieving look. “Nothing?”