It’s probably for the best, anyway. I’m being entirely too flirty tonight. I mean, I’m naturally like this, I have no trouble picking up chicks or dudes, but he’s my fucking professor, married, and I’ve never acted like this with him, regardless of how attractive I find him… so where’s this coming from?

We leave town, and I suddenly become brash as hell? And that fucking toast. God, the ground could’ve swallowed me whole. Despite how fucking bold I normally am, even I know that’s probably not the best one to use when you’re out to dinner with your professor. It’s my go-to at parties, so I blurted it out without a single thought.

Because that’s how it is around Stone—my brain turns into mush, and I can’t think straight.

“Alright, you two. Here you go.” Lindsey, our server, plops down two full, fresh shots of Jack on the table in front of us. “Enjoy,” she says cheerfully, before turning and walking away.

Well, hell. I’m regretting ordering those now. But maybe they’ll lighten the mood. Surely, I can keep shit light, while not flirting too… right? Yeah. It’ll be fine.

Stone picks up his shot glass, a crooked grin plastered on his face. “Shall we?”

Chuckling, I lift the glass, clanking it with his. “What the hell. Cheers!” Tapping the shot on the table, I bring it to my lips, tossing it back as warmth spreads down my throat and into my chest. I’ll for sure be tipsy after this.

Picking up another slice of pizza, Stone takes a huge bite. Once he swallows, he asks, “So, are you from around here?”

“Nah, was born in Dallas. Moved to western Washington in middle school, where I grew up.”

His eyes go wide. “Knew I picked up on a subtle accent from you.”

“Yup. Southern boy at heart,” I reply with a wink.

Biting the inside of his cheek in what can only be an attempt to hide a smile, he asks, “What made you come here for school?”

“No reason, really. Out of the schools I was accepted to, this one just looked the nicest. Plus, all my friends were coming here too. Seemed like the most logical choice.” Finishing the rest of my pizza, I wash it down with my IPA. “What about you? You from around here?”

“I am, actually. Well, sort of. I grew up in Spokane. Moved to Pullman for college and just never left.”

“No shit. You’re an alumnus?”

He smiles wide. “Sure am.”

“That’s dope. Did you know you wanted to teach here, or did it just happen?”

“No. It wasn’t until my last year of undergrad that I decided to stick around. Are you doing your masters and your PhD here?”

“Yup, that’s the plan. Getting it all done in one place seems to make the most sense.”