Page 68 of Baby Girl
As I push through the door, the chatter in the room dies, then a questioning murmur ripples through the room as Brown follows me in. I go to my usual place near the microphone but don’t bother to do much but stand there until the room fully quiets.
Emery must not have been too far behind us, because she slips into the room and into her usual seat a few rows up by the door.
“As you can see, I’ve brought a guest today. Professor Brown will be taking over this class for the rest of the semester, due to an opportunity on my end that I’m unwilling to let pass by.” Swallowing, I shoot a look in Emery’s direction before going back to scanning the rest of the class.
With her head tipped down as she fiddles with the things in her bag, a little bit of the frustrated tension from the hallway works its way into my mind.
If she won’t read the letter, then maybe I can give her a little something to think about right now. “It is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Taking a deep breath, I turn back to Brown. “And that’s why Professor Brown is taking over for me, so I can give this opportunity my full and undivided attention and make sure that the errors that were made in the past are not repeated. So, please, treat him kindly, don’t use too much slang on him, and definitely no emojis when you send an email.”
There is a little laughter from around the room as I grin up at them, then I offer a wave and go over to clap Brown on the shoulder. “Good luck.”
He nods with a confused smile. “Interesting speech.”
I shrug. “I’m an interesting guy.”
Then I head toward the door but can’t help one last look at Emery. She is focused on the front of the room as Brown starts his introduction. But the level of focus seems forced, almost like she is trying to watch me out of her peripheral vision.
Disappointment pinches in my chest as my gaze falls away, but then my heart all but explodes in my chest when I spot her open backpack.
The white bear with the blue nose that I gifted her is just visible through the opening.
With my entire being thrumming with overexcited energy, I leave the classroom wishing it was possible for me to freak the fuck out with happiness right here in the hallway without looking like a stupidly crazy, idiotic fool.
She misses us.
She just doesn’t know how to find her way back to us.
That’s okay, kitten. We’ll show you the way.
Chapter 37
Emery
As I close the door behind me, I’m a tiny bit disappointed to find that I’m alone. I thought that at least Oakley would be in the dorm, but she must be out on a sugar baby date or something. Sighing, I shove away from the door and go to my bedroom, overcome by the need for a shower.
Today was…something.
A double daddy dose in one day was a little too much.
Xavier doesn’t count as a daddy anymore. I’m used to him being in my space now. He is kind of like a lampshade, casting a shadow but not actually intruding, so when I see him, it’s not really like seeing a daddy. He has become furniture at this point. Easily ignorable.
Mostly.
Except for when it is really fucking clear he has been in my bedroom.
I stop dead at the sight of my bed, which is no longer messy, unmade, and with a pillow on the floor, like I left it.
The perfectly made bed with its fluffed-looking pillows has a huge-ass bouquet of very colorful flowers, a box of something that can only be chocolates, and a stack of books wrapped together with a thick lavender ribbon. There is also another fucking envelope.
Clearly someone came in here at some point today to set this up. And if that letter is from Hudson, was it before or after his class today? Now I’m kicking myself for deciding to study in Alderidge Hall. I should have come back to the dorm, but I’m so fucking tired of being trapped in my room because Xavier is in the living area.
As much as I’m used to him being here, I also haven’t wanted to actually have him in my personal space. But maybe that needs to change. Maybe, instead of hiding myself away, I need to ignore him out loud. Like I did with Hudson today.
That is a problem for later. Right now, I need to deal with the situation on my bed. And figure out what I’m eating for dinner. Dumping my bag onto the floor, I approach the bed like one of the gifts is going to launch itself at me and carefully scoop up the flowers.
The flowers are, well, they are stunning. And now that I’m holding them up to my face, I’m surrounded by the beautifulscent of them. There are pinks, whites, reds, yellows, and a bunch of greenery. Gorgeous, really.
