Nocturne(42)

“Madeline,” James cut in dryly, “could we talk about something else? I think … I think Gregory’s head is about to explode.”

At once, Madeline and James burst into laughter again, and I couldn’t help myself. I folded my arms on the table, set my forehead on them, and began laughing along with them. What else was I supposed to do? It was all so ridiculous.

Ridiculous.

After a minute or so of the most uncomfortable laughter I’ve ever engaged in, Gregory cleared his throat. “Yes, we’re lucky the rumor was so … ridiculous, or that could have caused a lot of problems for both Savannah and myself.”

It was like he plucked the word right from my brain. Ridiculous. I found myself thinking that it wasn’t that ridiculous of a rumor but stopped that train of thought. Quickly.

James slapped Gregory on the shoulder. “Lighten up, Greg. It’s just us. We’ll stop, though. Promise.”

James and Madeline tried to suppress their giggles. James got up and retrieved another bottle of wine from the kitchen.

Greg. Hmm, I didn’t like how that sounded, really. Gregory didn’t seem to, either. His mouth pressed into a tight line as James said it. I guessed this was something James, and probably Madeline, did to tick him off. I was a bit relieved to know that it wasn’t just me he seemed to be uptight around. He was this way with friends he’d known for over ten years. But, why?

Madeline placed her hand on my leg. “Sorry, Savannah, but you really need a thick skin for this business. Especially if you want to have a professional career.” She leaned back in her chair, swirling what was left of her Cab Franc around in her glass. “When you’re working incredibly long days with the same group of people you sometimes travel with … it becomes like a family. And, sometimes relationships develop,” she paused, still looking down, and a ghost of a grin crossed her lips, “but, more often than not, lots of whispers and rumors start. It’s just the nature of things. Add in a few hundred hormone-driven young adults and, bam, instant student-teacher rumors.”

“That makes sense.” I nodded, unable to look at Gregory. But, I had to—I needed to be a grown-up about this. “Gregory,” I cleared my throat as all eyes fell on me.

“Yes?” His eyes were intense, and I almost lost my words.

“I just wanted to assure you that I had nothing to do with those rumors spreading—”

He waved his hand, as he always did when he found something exasperating. “Please, Savannah, the thought never crossed my mind.”

“Okay, I just wanted to make sure, because … I know how stressful things can get for students academically, and the lengths some students would go to get a good grade. I would never—”

“Savannah,” he cut me off sternly but with a softness in his eyes I’d never seen. “I never once thought that of you. You’re an excellent student with a good head on your shoulders. Well, I suppose you’re no longer a student…” He cleared his throat before continuing. “Despite your regular disregard for my authority in the classroom—”

“What?” I cut him off with a chuckle. Watching the corners of his mouth turn up in a grin, I caught on. “Oh, you’re baiting me …” I looked down, heat filling my face as I bit my lip.

“I learned from the best.” He laughed freely, patting James on the shoulder as he stood and began collecting our plates from the table.

I’d only heard him laugh once before. And that precipitated our kiss. I had to freeze and isolate that awareness. Because his laugh did things to my emotional makeup I couldn’t even identify. So I pretended, and the rest of us joined him in apparently comfortable laughter.

Gregory re-entered the dining room, looking far more relaxed than I’d ever seen him. He still had a slight crease between his eyebrows, though, and I began to wonder what he was holding in there. “Would you ladies like to stay for some coffee?”

Madeline and James shared a shocked look. I smiled, and without asking what Madeline wanted to do, I replied, “I’d like that.”





Gregory


“How hospitable of you.” James arched his eyebrow as he reached behind me to grab four coffee mugs.

“Sarcasm?” I shot back just as sarcastically.

“You nearly passed out when you found out who was coming to dinner, and after that whole rumor conversation I figured you’d want them out of here as soon as possible.” He turned so his back was against the counter, crossing his arms across his chest.

Keeping my voice quiet, I answered. “I had no idea that Savannah thought I’d assume she’d had anything to do with those rumors. The thought never crossed my mind.”

“Why do you care what she thought, Gregory? You don’t care what anyone thinks,” he challenged.

“That’s not true.” What was he talking about? Of course I cared. Well. I felt my eyebrow wrinkle a little, and I thought about it. Okay, so I usually didn’t care. But … I was starting to care a great deal about what Savannah Marshall thought … of me.

I went on. “I didn’t realize how much a rumor like this could affect a student. You and I know how foolish rumors are, but the students don’t, apparently. You and Madeline were right, James. Savannah’s talented and works hard. I’ll help support that any way I can.” My hands shook slightly as I poured the coffee, and I realized that my monologue wasn’t making a lot of sense.