Memoir in the Making: A May-December Romance by Adrian J. Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

think, by my count, it’s been quite a few months since you’ve snogged anyone, much less a pretty girl.”
    “It’s Ainsley.”
    “It’s—what!? You and Ainsley?”
    “Shhh.” Meredith looked around the coffee shop to make sure they hadn’t attracted any unwanted attention. “Yes, Ainsley. She’s the one who I picked up drunk off the side of the road, the one who kissed me last night, and the one who I just finished driving home.”
    “She stayed the whole night?”
    Glaring at him, Meredith grabbed her drink and made to leave. “If you’re not going to help, there’s no use in talking to you.”
    “Mer! Sit down. We’ll figure this out.”
    She sat back down and spun her tea in her hand, not daring to look at him while fear and worry took over. She let out a breath and closed her eyes to hold back the tears.
    “I could get fired if anyone found out.”
    “No one will find out. Does she even remember it?”
    Meredith shook her head, her loose curls hitting her cheeks with the movement. “I don’t think so. She was pretty far gone last night.”
    “That’s to your advantage then. But you can’t, and I mean can not, let her be alone with you again.”
    “And exactly how am I supposed to do that? I have to be able to have meetings with my students about their work. I can’t just avoid her.”
    “No, but you can downplay everything. Don’t show her any type of interest, academic or personal, and don’t talk to her outside the classroom or office hours.”
    “I’ll try.”
    Meredith took another sip from her drink, really not wanting to look at Sam. If she did, she knew he would be exactly aware of how hard it would be for her to stay away from Ainsley. She was already too far in over her head and letting her attraction to Ainsley take control.
    “Oh. My. God,” he said, punctuating each word. “You like her. Meredith…you can’t. She’s a student.”
    “I’m well aware.” Heat flashed into her cheeks, and her eyes watered again. “I know. I can’t, but God, I want to.”
    “What is it about her?”
    Meredith bit her lip before answering. “She calls to me.”
    “Physical?”
    “Yeah, that too. I can’t not think about her physically when she’s anywhere near me. The thoughts bombard me.”
    “What else other than that?”
    “She makes me think. And I like that, a lot.”
    “You’ve known her not even a week.”
    “Exactly,” Meredith said and took her drink. “A week and I’ve already over stepped the line several times.”
    “Well, I’ll be around when you need to talk.”
    Meredith nodded, weariness ebbing into her body. She only had to make it through to December, and then Ainsley would be out of her class and she wouldn’t have contact with her anymore. Four very long months until she could relax again.
    “Dinner Friday?” Sam asked.
    “Yeah. Six? I can make that chicken pot pie you like and bring it over.”
    “Sounds great. I’ll let Jeremy know.”
    “The nurse?” Meredith asked, remembering the comment on the phone.
    Sam nodded and wiped the tear that slipped down his cheek. “Not much longer, I’m afraid. She’s from hospice. Comes in and checks on him every day. There’s a volunteer nurse who comes to sit with him so I can have a break.”
    “Like now.”
    “Yeah…like now.”
    Meredith reached across the table and squeezed his hand. She needed to be there for him far more than she needed him to be there for her. Jeremy truly was the love of Sam’s life. Losing him would affect them all.
    “Let me know if you need anything.”
    “Will do,” Sam said. “Gotta run.”
    He stood up and bent down to press a kiss to her cheek. Meredith watched him leave with coffee in hand and felt the tears finally stream down her own face. Sadness swept away any thoughts she had of Ainsley, and she grasped onto the emotion, riding it until she had to leave the coffee shop for home and more private place to let it all out.
     

Chapter Five
    The clock ticked