ALISTAIR

It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to stride across the hallway and punch that punk in the face. Jealousy is a dangerous beast, and I can’t claim to be its master. So I do the best I can in this situation—I turn around and walk away.

I’m seething when I finally enter my office and close the door. Behind my desk, I rest my head in my hands and take deep breaths. That’s what I get for falling for my student. God, I’m such an idiot.

I should have never restarted things with Chiara. But hell, resisting her was impossible. She got under my skin, left a brand on my heart. I’ve never wanted anyone like I want her. She puts my sex drive on steroids. I’m constantly semihard when she’s around, which is a fucking problem when I’m her teacher.

I can’t head to my next class in this state, that’s for sure.

I turn on my laptop, hoping email checking will distract me.

A knock on my door makes me grind my teeth. I hope she isn’t foolish enough to come see me.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Phillip, Mr. Walsh. May I come in?”

I curl my hands into fists. What is this asshole doing here?

Damn it. I’m really losing it. Here I am cursing at a student because he likes someone he thinks is available.

“Yeah, sure.”

He looks nervous as he steps inside and closes the door. I avoid eye contact because the urge to punch his face is still there, simmering just below my skin.

“How can I help you, Mr. Harrison?”

“I want to explain what you saw just now.”

That gets my attention. “What do you mean?”

“There’s nothing going on between Chiara and me. She’s just pretending to be my girlfriend to help me out.”

There’s a loud roar in my ears. I want to yell obscenities, but I have to keep a level head here.

“I don’t understand how that’s my concern.”

“Sir, I know about you and Chiara.”

Damn everything to hell.

“Excuse me?”

Phillip raises his hands, palms facing me. “You don’t have to worry, Mr. Walsh. Robbie and I won’t say a word. I swear.”

“Robbie knows about this?” I grit out, gripping the edge of my desk.

“Yeah, but you see, we have a secret too. I’m with Robbie. He’s….” Phillip glances down, rubbing his neck. “He’s my boyfriend.”

Like a balloon deflating, the jealousy whooshes out of me, though not the annoyance. Chiara didn’t tell me any of this.

“I see. Not that it matters, but I met Chiara before she was a student here. You do understand that if this secret leaks, it will tarnish her reputation, don’t you?”

My statement seems to surprise him. “What about your reputation? Aren’t you worried about that?”

“Not as much as I should be.”

Chiara didn’t show up for writer’s room class. I’m sure Phillip told her about our conversation. I thought not having her there to distract me was a good thing, but it turns out, she doesn’t need to be present to take over my thoughts.

I’m in the middle of working on next week’s lecture when Enzo calls me. I’ve been waiting to hear from him about the Nadine mess.

“Hey, man. Please tell me you have good news,” I say.

“It depends on what you call good news. Nadine’s lawyer finally called back. It seems your ex-wife is not as keen to be rid of you as you are to be rid of her.”

“What do you mean? What does she want now?”

“Nothing that will cost you more money, unless you count the five-star meal in a fancy restaurant.”

“Can you please get to the fucking point?” I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“She wants to have dinner with you first before she signs anything.”

“No chance in hell. I can’t sit through an entire dinner with her.”

“I know it sucks, okay? But do you want her to sign the papers or not? It’s just dinner.”

I can already imagine Chiara’s reaction when I tell her I’m going to have dinner with my ex. She’s going to fucking hate it, especially now after the whole Phillip incident.

“Fine. Set it up. I want to get this over with as quickly as possible.”

“Any day of the week good for you?”

“Yep. Make sure you pick the loudest, most family-oriented restaurant you can find. Nadine always hated those.”

“Do I sound like a fucking secretary?”

“Bite me. Just do it, Enzo.”

Grumbling, he ends the call.

I stare at my computer screen for minutes after, still pissed that Nadine is forcing me to have dinner with her. That snake is up to something; I know it deep in my bones. I rub my face, frustrated that I let my ego dictate my actions for far too long. If I hadn’t been so stubborn, I could be free of the woman by now. Clenching my jaw, I force myself to focus on my screen.

A text message from Chiara flashes on my phone.