Temptation

34

Melissa no longer looked mad at me, just super curious. I'd rather her be mad and not speak to me. I was going to have a hard time keeping track of all these lies.

"So tell me about him," she said and sat back down on her bed.

"I'm pretty tired. Can I tell you about him tomorrow?"

"Yeah, not happening. You made me worry about you till...what time is it? It's 2 a.m., Penny! I think I deserve at least a few details."

"Okay." I sat cross-legged on my bed and looked at her. If I stuck to true things, it wouldn't really be lying. "Well he's unbelievably handsome, apparently wealthy, and he's a little older than me." I thought about Professor Hunter's suggestion of telling her how it was the best s*x of my life, and blushed.

"Wait, how much older? I thought you said you met in class? Is he like a foreign exchange student or something?"

Why am I so bad at this? "I meant I met him after my marketing class. I ran into him on Main Street. Literally."

She knew how clumsy I was, so she seemed to accept that answer. "Why didn't you tell me you had a date with him?"

"I don't know. I didn't want to jinx it I guess. He's way out of my league, Melissa."

"Don't be ridiculous. You know that you're a catch. You probably made him drool in the dress you were wearing."

"Thanks, Melissa."

"So, where did he take you on your first date?"

"To this country club. It was at least half an hour from here."

"Well that's super fancy. I can see why you think he's wealthy. I don't know any other students who are members of a country club."

I didn't want her to assume he was a student. I wanted her to think that he was always busy so that she wouldn't be hurt if she didn't get to meet him. "He's actually not a student."

"So what does he do?"

"He founded some tech company."

"Impressive." She thought about that for a moment before adding, "How old did you say he was?"

"27," I said quietly. I shrugged like it was no big deal. My stomach was still in a knot from not confessing my age to Professor Hunter in the car.

"I thought you said he was only a little older than you. Penny, that's like...eight years."

It was time to take Professor Hunter's advice. "Melissa, you don't even understand how sexy he is. I can't even think straight when I'm around him."

She laughed. "Okay, I need some sleep. Next time text me back so I don't have to worry all night."

"Sorry about that, Melissa. I was distracted."

"I bet," she said and turned off the light.

I was too tired to go get ready for bed, so instead I lay down and pulled the covers on top of me.

"Poor Tyler," Melissa mumbled. I heard her turn in her bed.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

Monday

It was going to be so awkward to see Tyler. I hadn't spoken to him since he had walked out on me at the dining hall. I had encouraged him to see other people because I cared about him. He had become a really good friend. But he was probably never going to talk to me again. And I had basically molested his abs, which definitely gave him the wrong message. The cold shoulder would make me feel horrible, but at the same time I would be kind of relieved. I was sick of lying to him. Maybe it was better for both of us if he pretended I didn't exist.

When I walked into the room I was surprised to see that Tyler was already sitting in his usual spot. I had been expecting him to be seated on the opposite side of the room.

"Hey, Penny," he said as I approached.

"Is this from you?" I picked up the single red rose that was on my desk.

"Yes. Look, I'm really sorry about Saturday. I acted like an idiot."

I sat down and smelled the sweet aroma from the rose. Why can't he just give me the cold shoulder instead? He was so sweet.

"I'm sorry too, I..."

"You don't need to be. You've made it perfectly clear that you just want to be my friend. I just can't seem to resist making a fool of myself around you. But I'm going to try to start acting like your friend. No more hidden agendas. If that's really what you want. Because I just enjoy being around you."

"So you had a hidden agenda on Friday night when you came over? I had no idea."

"I mean, I did want to help you get better. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for a kiss." He laughed.

"Okay, Tyler. Friends for real?" I stuck out my hand for him to shake.

"Friends don't shake hands, weirdo." He high fived me instead.

Professor Hunter walked into the room and locked eyes with me. And then he looked down at the rose on my desk and his expression darkened. He ran his hand through his hair as he put his satchel on his chair. I could tell he was mad. Crap.

"Speeches start next Monday. And this time we'll go backwards in the alphabet. So last names beginning with Z through N will go on Monday and M through A will go on Wednesday."

Is he punishing me? Now I'd have to be one of the first people to present.

"I don't want nerves to be as big of a factor for this speech. It's important to feel comfortable in this room. So let's all share something a little more intimate today." He paused. "Oh, I have an idea. I had an amazing date this weekend."

A few girls in the classroom sighed but I ignored them. I was dying to see what Professor Hunter had to say.

"Romance, dinner. The whole package. So how about everyone shares what their ideal first date would be. And let's switch things up today and start at the end of the alphabet so we get a feel for how next week's speeches are going to go. Adam Zabek, start us off."

I tuned Adam out and tried to think quickly of what I was going to say. Did Professor Hunter want me to talk about our date too?

"Penny Taylor."

I stood up and said the first thing that came to my mind. "I like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain. And the feel of the ocean and the taste of champagne."

Most of the class laughed. Thank you, Rupert Holmes.

Professor Hunter smiled and leaned back in his seat. "Tyler Stevens?"

Tyler stood up. "Hmmm. My ideal first date is probably making love at midnight in the dunes of the cape."

I couldn't resist laughing. Professor Hunter's smile immediately disappeared. Damn it, Tyler!

Professor Hunter cleared his throat. "Okay. Let's move past the song lyrics."