“Thank you,” she replied. Her voice now on solid footing. “Perhaps I could ask you more about seafaring folklore after the talk.”

Aiden cleared his throat as he stared at her. Cheeky little... “Yes,” he said in a husky voice. “I can, uh, clarify that with you. Afterward. I mean, later. Sure.” Before he could stumble over himself anymore, he stepped away from the podium. Aiden returned to his seat at the table without taking another question, prompting Donald to quickly introduce the next presenter. He glanced at Lisa, who raised a black brow in his direction. She looked from him to Antonia, who’d receded back against the doors, and back to him. Lisa Brennan actually smirked while she gathered her papers, causing Aiden to blush.

Antonia didn’t stay for long. She exited the auditorium after her question, leaving Aiden to wonder why she came. What did it mean? And would she stay for just a little while longer to talk things out? While Donald introduced Lisa to the podium, he felt a buzz in his breast pocket. Aiden quietly slipped his phone out and laid it on the table. The text that lit his screen answered his questions.

I thought I’d try this again. That’s if you want to talk.

Aiden exhaled. They never exchanged phone numbers, but she was texting him. He figured that he had his mother to thank for that. Glancing over at Lisa, who was starting her paper, he carefully typed his reply. Of course I do. I have a fight to continue.

He set his phone to silent and waited for her reply.

I was hoping you’d say that. Fight after your panel?

Please meet me at the banquet for drinks. Thank you for wearing yellow xxx.

I will. Now put away your phone. You don’t want to look like a student.

Aiden did as he was told, slipping the phone back into his jacket. He fought to keep a smile from his face as his ex-girlfriend presented on Bram Stoker. His lover was nearby, waiting for him.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Antonia held a long-stemmed champagne glass tightly as she spoke to the kindly old gentleman whom she recognized from Aiden’s panel. He introduced himself as Robert and refused to leave her side as she waited for Aiden.

“You made a very apt observation about Dr. Byrnes’s work. Tell me, do you teach in the States?”

She blushed and shook her head. “Oh no, I’m afraid I haven’t taught since grad school,” she replied. “I’m actually in publishing.”

Robert’s owlish brows raised. “Publishing? How wonderful. How long?”

Antonia managed a smile. “About five years,” she said. “But I’m currently transitioning to the other side of the desk. I’m working on a novel of my own.”

“Impressive,” he said with a nod.

She tried to keep up her conversation with him while seeking out Aiden. She wondered where he was and if he was serious about meeting with her. Showing up in a lemon-colored summer dress to apologize to a man was not exactly her style, but his mother and niece seemed dead-set on the theatrics. As a result, Antonia stuck out like a sore thumb amongst all these academics. People stared at her as they drifted by, making her feel even more self-conscious.