Page 28 of Perfect Guy
“You have to tell me. If this is going to go anywhere, I need to know how not to screw up.”
“You didn’t screw up. It was an unfortunate choice of words,” I explain.
”Asking you to dinner? Because I’m not sure how else to do that.” He chuckles awkwardly.
“I was doing my internship at a studio a professor I had throughout my college career owns. He offered me a position at his firm.”
“That’s good. Why didn’t you take it?” Canaan interjects me when I take a pause to collect my thoughts.
“His job offer came with other…responsibilities.”
“What does that mean?” I bet if we were in person, his eyebrows would be scrunched up.
“I’d be more than his employee. He hit on me, insinuating that we’d make a great team in and out of the office.”
“That bastard,” he growls.
“I had the choice to turn him down, and I did. I also set him in his place and held back from kicking him in the balls so it wouldn’t affect my reputation or get arrested for assault. It wouldn’t have looked good that we were in his office alone, and I hit him.” I roll my eyes because he deserved more than that.
“Because of that, I never want to feel like I owe anyone for a job I have.”
“I understand. You need to know that when I recommended you for the job, it was because I thought you were qualified and it’d help you out. Nothing more.” His voice is firm and confident.
“I know that. When you said I could repay you with dinner, it just brought back that sour experience. I hate that I even have to talk about it. I want to forget and move on. It made me question my talent and knowledge. Were my grades a reflection of me or of this professor’s whatever he felt toward me?”
“You did well in your other classes, right?” he asks.
“Yeah, and I know that has to mean something, but so much was questioned in that moment and the months following it. I looked up to this professor. I admired his work. How stupid of me.” I rub my face with my free hand.
“That’s not stupid. It’s understandable, even expected, for college students to look up to their teachers. He’s the one that abused his power.”
“I know.” I close my eyes.
“Does anyone else know?” His voice is low.
“Only Alana.”
“Understood. Your secret’s safe with me.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“I get why you moved back now.”
“It isn’t a lie. I didn’t want that city life. After seeing how people repay one another, I didn’t want to be a part of it,” I explain, lifting my knees to my chest and wrapping my arm around them. Of course, it’s not every city person who acts immorally, and people in small towns can fall under the same ranks, but the experience marked me.
“Whatever the reason, as fucked up as it is, I’m glad you’re back.”
“Me too. I missed home. Visiting wasn’t enough.” I smile to myself, resting my cheek on my knees while I hold the phone to my other ear.
“We should’ve had this conversation in person,” Canaan finally says. “I could hug you and then ask you out properly.”
“Yeah?” I smile.
“Definitely. I’m at the firehouse tomorrow, but I’ll be done early Sunday morning. Have dinner with me on Sunday.” Instead of asking as he mentioned, it comes out more like a command.
“Don’t you want to rest? You’ll have to work the next day. If I remember correctly, you mentioned your life didn’t have space for dating.” I bite my lip.
“I know I said I was busy, and I am, but maybe my priorities have changed. Maybe instead of being home alone on a Sunday recovering from a long shift, I rather have you with me. I’ll admit that I’ll need patience. It’s not easy juggling two jobs, even if one is as a volunteer. I’m not at the firehouse every weekend since we all rotate, but not many women understand I can’t be at their beck and call.” His voice holds an edge to it.