Sapphire Beautiful by Ren Monterrey Read Free Book Online Page A

it tremendous thought when we both know it’s the new graduate research fellow.
    “What’s he like?” I ask.
    “It’s weird,” Andrew replies. “He’s a little bit nerdy. Quiet. He kept to himself. I expected him to be an arrogant frat-boy type. You know those guys who look like they just stepped off of an ultra-private golf course or their parent’s yacht. He looked like he just stepped out of a Dungeons and Dragons convention. He never raised his hand, but when I called on him every one of his answers was thoughtful, articulate and insightful. He obviously knows a lot about history.”
    “You disappoint me,” Lucy tells him. “I was hoping he’d be a complete screw-up. But you make him sound like he’ll fit right in and maybe even be an asset to the department.”
    “I think he will be,” Andrew confirms.
    I glance at my watch. “I’d love to stay and chat, but one of my undergrads wants to meet with me before class.”
    ***
    “W e made it through the first week of class,” Lucy says as we head out of the Medieval Studies building. “Any exciting plans for the weekend?”
    “You mean besides grading thirty-five student papers?”
    “Child’s play.” She waves a hand in the air. “I’ve got close to fifty to grade.”
    As Misty hurries by us she gives me an enthusiastic wave. “Hi, Dr. Pine. Have a great weekend.”
    “You, too, Misty,” I holler back.
    “Any chance we can get together Sunday for some coffee?” Lucy asks. “We can gossip about all of the new students.”
    “I have to babysit for my sister on Saturday night. I have no idea how late she and Matt will be out.” I also want to be available in case Dante wants to see me, but I can’t tell her that.
    “Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to avoid telling me something?” She shoots me a suspicious glance.
    “I’ve just been going through a lot.”
    She places a hand on my arm. “I know. You’re still dealing with all the shit that asshole Doug put you through. But you’re young and you have your whole life ahead of you.”
    “Sometimes I feel a lot older than thirty-two.”
    “When you’re ready to date I have this cousin who just moved back to the city...”
    I shake my head. “Not right now.”
    Even though she says, “I understand,” she’s pressing her lips together like there’s more she’s dying say.
    I heave a long, exasperated sigh. “Tell me.”
    “Lorenzo is good looking, charming, and he has a great job. He’s an engineer. His first marriage didn’t work out because his wife cheated on him. So you have that in common. He doesn’t have kids, so there’s no connection to his ex. But there is one catch.”
    “There’s always a catch. Is he much shorter than me? Spent time in jail? Former drug addict?”
    She gives me the stink eye. “Nothing like that. He’s a little younger. He’ll be thirty in December. Is that an issue for you?”
    I choke a little thinking about Dante, who’s a decade younger. 
    Lucy furrows her brow and actually looks hurt. “I didn’t think three years was that big of a deal.”
    “It’s not,” I assure her.
    “I don’t think Lorenzo will be single long, so give it some thought, okay.”
    I stop walking and turn to face her. “You weren’t going to invite him for coffee on Sunday and not tell me? Or maybe run into him accidently on purpose at the coffee shop?”
    When her face flushes I assume I’ve hit the nail on the head. “I really don’t need you to play matchmaker.”
    “I care about you, Mary. And I’m worried about you. I was just trying to help.”
    “I know.” I give her a quick hug. “And I appreciate it. Just give me some time, okay?”
    “Time and tide wait for no man...or woman,” she reminds me.
    “No doubt you’re a medieval scholar. Quoting Chaucer.”
    “Hey, at least I didn’t say it in Middle English.”
    ***
    I ’ve changed three times and I’m still not satisfied with what I see staring back at me in the mirror. Somehow