Temptation (The Hunted, #1)(18)

While my paper was printing, I opened up my email. There was an unread one from Professor Hunter titled "Comm 212 cancelled." Oh my God, I made him quit? I quickly clicked on it.

The first line read: "Comm 212 will be cancelled tomorrow."

I breathed a sigh of relief. My heart was racing. I read the rest of the email:



"Please read the attached article about the importance of improvising during a speech. You have to react to your audience, so it's important to be able to think on your toes. I know that originally speeches were supposed to start next Monday, but I've decided to throw a wrench in things. Speeches will start this Wednesday instead. The speeches are only supposed to be two to three minutes, so it shouldn't take more than two days of class. Everyone with last names beginning with A through M will be going Wednesday, and everyone else will go on Friday. So, you still have plenty of time to prepare, but I wanted to give you more of a sense of thinking on your toes. I'm looking forward to hearing about the influential people in your lives."

- Professor J. Hunter



He had kissed me like I had never been kissed before, and then told me to stop thinking about him. Was class cancelled because of me? I pulled out my phone and clicked on his name. "I hope that everything is alright, Professor Hunter." I knew I was being defiant, but I pressed the send button anyway. He was sending me mixed messages, and I preferred to believe that the kissing me part of last night was what he really wanted too.

I climbed onto my bed, pulled my computer to my lap, and opened up Facebook. I clicked on the search bar and slowly typed James Hunter into the box. A photography company from Maryland, some grunge band, and several guys that were certainly not Professor Hunter popped up. I pressed the backspace key until his name disappeared.

I was about to ex out of Facebook when a message came up at the bottom of the screen. I clicked on it.

Tyler: "Mixed feelings about tomorrow. Class cancelled = awesome. Not getting to see you = major suckage."

I wrote back to Tyler: "What really sucks is that we have to give our presentations on Friday."

Tyler: "That's not really what I'm worried about."

Me: "So what are you worried about then, Tyler?"

Tyler: "Well, I'm waiting for you to spill the beans about your date. Let me down easily."

Me: "Honestly, it was a complete disaster."

Tyler: "Sorry, that sucks."

Me: "I feel like you aren't sorry."

Tyler: "Yeah, not even a little. Actually I think I can make you feel better. I wanted to cordially invite you to dinner...any night of your choosing."

I looked down at my phone. Professor Hunter hadn't responded.

Tyler: "And I won't take no for an answer."

Me: "How about lunch one day?" As friends.

Tyler: "Let's do it Wednesday. And then we can make fun of all the speeches."

Me: "Haha, okay, Tyler."

Tyler: "I'm going to go before you change your mind. Night!"

I smiled to myself and shut down my computer.





Chapter 16


Wednesday

As soon as my alarm sounded Wednesday morning, I was out of bed and getting ready. I needed to look super casual for lunch with Tyler so that he wouldn't get the wrong idea. I took off the baggy t-shirt that I had slept in and replaced it with a tank top and an off the shoulder, lightweight sweater. I pulled on a pair of old skinny jeans with holes in the knees and slipped on my favorite Keds.

I put a little frizz control lotion in my hands and scrunched my wavy hair to give it some added texture. When I looked in the mirror I felt a tiny bit of hope. Professor Hunter had never returned my message. But maybe he just didn't like the flirtatious version of myself. This was the real me. I felt uncomfortable wearing short skirts and revealing dresses. So I'd try and see if he liked this side of me better.

After eating a bowl of cereal, brushing my teeth, and applying minimal makeup, I locked the door behind me. I went into Professor Hunter's class and sat at my usual spot in the corner. Tyler walked in with a huge smile on his face.

"So where do you want to go for lunch?"

"Can I meet you at Russell Dining Hall at 12:30?"

"We don't have to go to the dining hall, Penny. I'll take you somewhere, my treat."

"But it's steak sandwich day."

Tyler laughed. "Okay, I guess I can't pass that up."

I smiled. Professor Hunter walked into the room. He was his usual handsome self, but it looked like he hadn't shaved in a few days. This morning he didn't even glance at me. He had told me to stop thinking about him, but I couldn't. Clearly he had stopped thinking about me, though. It stung.

"It's presentation day!" He pumped his fist into the air.

Most of the class groaned.

"It's not going to be that bad. Okay, first up is Raymond Asher. Let me just fix this." He grabbed a podium from the corner and placed it in the middle of the room. "And I'll get out of your way." He made his way to the back of the classroom, and I watched his every step. The only empty seat was the one right in front of Tyler. He sat down and placed his satchel on the floor, still not glancing at me at all. I hadn't realized that I had been holding my breath.