Page 13 of Ice Cold Heart
My next question was interrupted by the emergency door slamming shut. Professor Adkins looked like a caricature of a young professor—holey jeans, thick sweater, and an absent-minded expression behind thin-framed black glasses, as if he was pleasantly surprised to see us. He carried two white sacks to the desk instead of heading for his office.
“Avery,” he greeted me with a big smile. “So glad you could make it. Would you like some sweet and sour chicken?”
My stomach turned at the thought. I hated sweet and sour sauce with a passion only equaled by the loathing for my ex-boyfriend. “No, thanks.”
Marco whooped. “Sweet. More for me.” He gathered two of the takeout boxes and shuffled back toward the community office. “Nice to meet you, Avery. I’ll be around all day tomorrow if you have more questions. Or just bring me lunch and keep me company.”
I laughed at the big lip and pleading eyes he sent me before closing the door, then sobered as I faced my potential new boss. “Professor Adkins?—”
“Call me Jonah,” he interrupted, uncovering his own food.
The vinegary smell wafted toward me, and I subtly leaned away. “Okay, Jonah, what do I need to know?”
“You’ll start off as a staff writer working under Sebastian Fisher. Since we’re a student-run paper, we’re considered a club and therefore can’t pay anyone except the editor, but your time here counts toward the requirements for your classes.”
I already knew I wouldn’t be getting paid, but I wasn’t there for the money. My spring journalism class required I get four articles published, so the position here was essentially an unpaid internship. More importantly, I wanted to spend as little time as possible at my dad’s house. I could keep haunting the library like I’d done since moving in, or I could do something useful for my future.
Jonah took a big bite of his dinner while I processed the details. He hadn’t mentioned the contention between Marco and Sebastian. Had he not noticed or was he turning a blind eye? I made a concentrated effort not to breathe through my nose and dug for an answer.
“Only one editor?” I asked.
“Yeah, we’re not a big operation. We cover the major events in the area, run an op-ed section, and keep track of the sports teams. All stories are due by Saturday afternoon. Papers get printed Sunday night, and we take turns delivering them across campus Monday morning. Sebastian handles it like a pro. I try to be as hands off as possible, but I spend my Tuesday and Thursday office hours in here, as well as most Sunday nights. Speaking of Sebastian, he should email you in the next day or two with more details and a comprehensive welcome.”
A piece of chicken fell from his fork, splatting on the desk in a disgusting glob, and I worked hard not to gag. “Are these desks assigned?”
“Greta doesn’t mind. This is her desk, but she prefers to never set foot in here. It’s weird. We used to be a tight-knit group, but the last year or two our writers have abandoned any semblance of working together.”
If Marco was right about Sebastian, I had a pretty good idea why no one ever wanted to work in this space. Honestly, I’d hoped for the bustling newsroom we’d had at my last school.
Jonah had already hired me, and since I wouldn’t be getting paid, I didn’t need to submit any paperwork. Today’s meeting was intended to get to know the people I’d be working with, but I hadn’t realized there’d be disgusting food involved. Better to keep my mouth shut for now and ask questions next time.
I didn’t want to end my first day by throwing up on Greta’s desk.
“Thanks for the introduction. I’ll be here Monday morning, bright and early to help deliver.”
“Great. Glad to have you on board.” When I stood, he held up a hand. “Hold on, I’ll have Marco walk you out.”
Before I could tell him I already had someone to walk me to my car, Jonah yelled for Marco, and my new friend came bounding out of the community office. “Done already?”
Jonah nodded at me. “Get her to her car, please.” He didn’t wait to see us off, simply waved as he took his dinner into his office and shut the door.
Marco offered Jonah’s back a salty salute. “My pleasure.”
I raised a brow at him, and he held up his hands.
“Not like that. My girlfriend works in the admin office above us.”
“Convenient,” I said blandly, not entirely convinced. He didn’t come across as the skeezy type, but one could never be sure.
He herded me toward the stairs. “She likes to say it’s nice we’re so close, but has she ever brought me lunch? No. I’m stuck here with old granola bars and cold coffee.”
I tilted my head at him, amused despite myself. “You could bring her lunch.”
“Do you know how far we are from the cafeteria? My wallet is crying at the lack of meal plan use. Shonda lives in an apartment off campus. She gets to actually eat at her place. Luckily, Jonah usually pays for dinner if I stay late.”
“Food motivated,” I mused. “I can work with that.”
He laughed and nodded in agreement. It was hard not to like Marco, but I’d withhold judgment until I got to know him better. Most people showed their true natures once they relaxed. Speaking of people I shouldn’t trust…