The Professor I Shouldn't Want

A Boston Pub

POV: Isadora

“Get off me!”, I snapped, wrenching my arm away.

“You lying bitch.”, he said, clearly pissed. “I knew there was someone else.”

“Who I see or don't see is none of your damn business anymore, Ryan!”, I held my ground.

“Who is he?!”, he barked. “I have a right to know!”

I actually laughed.

“You’re a total joke. Ever since we broke up, all you’ve done is talk s**t about me to everyone and put on a little show with Raven right in the middle of class.”, I stood up. “You don’t have a right to anything! We are over, and trust me, not even my mother is going to make me get back with you ever again!", I turned on my heel and stormed out.

Isadora: [Nice try]

I shot the text to my mom before hopping in the car and peeling out of there. I was fuming. I hadn’t even wanted to go to that event in the first place, and then I had to deal with that prick, Ryan.

I tried to check my neck in the reflection of my phone screen. Dammit. I really had left a mark showing. If my mom hadn't been so obsessed with making my blind date with Ryan work, she probably would’ve noticed it, too. All things considered, I’d dodged a bullet.

I pulled up in front of Anne’s apartment. I hadn't planned on going there; it was just autopilot. By the time I realized it, I was already pulling into the building. I walked into the dark, quiet apartment and just crashed on the sofa, feeling completely brain-dead. My phone buzzed, a text from my mom. I ignored it. After what she did, she deserved the silent treatment, at least for the rest of the night.

I ordered some takeout and went straight to bed. I had class with Henry the next day, and like he said, I’d be all his. I closed my eyes with a faint smile, hoping tomorrow night would go a lot better than this one.

I woke up at my usual time and headed to campus. I was dying to see him, but at the same time, I was dreading bumping into Ryan. He was livid last night, and I just hoped he wouldn't try to pull some stunt this morning. Luckily, he was a no-show. I was able to spend the morning focusing on my notes and admiring my new boyfriend.

Henry looked gorgeous as always in a perfectly tailored suit, his hair swept neatly to the side. He was back to grilling the class, which still frustrated the hell out of me. Mostly because I wanted to speak up, but I almost never knew the answer. It made me feel like an i***t, and I wondered if Henry would really stay with me if he knew his "independent Anne" was actually one of his densest students.

“That’s all for today. See you next week.”, he said as class wrapped up, reaching for his phone.

I’d texted him as soon as I got to class, but obviously, he hadn't replied while lecturing. As soon as he unlocked his screen, a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

I knew that smile was for me, and because of that, it was hard not to stare. It made me feel all giddy knowing that one text from me could chase away Professor Anderson and bring out Henry. I was totally smitten.

But then he looked up suddenly, as if sensing my eyes on him. His gaze locked right onto mine. I looked away instantly, my stomach doing a nervous flip. I grabbed my stuff and bolted for the door.

“Ms. Bennett.”, he called out.

Crap. He noticed. Of course he noticed! I was standing there like a total fangirl staring at him. Why was it so hard for me to remember that on campus, I was just another student?

With no other choice, I turned back to him, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“Yes?”, I said, trying to act casual.

“I think you dropped your keys.”, he looked at the floor, pointing to where they were. They were definitely mine.

“Oh, thanks.”, I scrambled to pick them up and practically ran out of the room. I didn't breathe normally again until I was safely in my car.

I checked my phone; it had buzzed several times on my way out. It was him.

Henry: [Good morning, princess]

Henry: [Unfortunately, I won't be able to make lunch]

Henry: [Leaving campus now, heading straight to the office]

Henry: [But I’ll stop by tonight, okay?]

Anne: [That’s fine]

Anne: [I’ll be waiting for you ♥️]

Henry: [I’m going to do my best to wrap everything up by 6]

Henry: [Then maybe we could check out that pub you wanted to go to. What do you think?]

Anne: [Yes, I’d love that]

Henry: [It’s a date, then]

Henry: [See you later, princess]

I smiled, that same silly smile again. At least in my car, I could let it show.

I went back to my place, grabbed a bite, and spent the whole afternoon hitting the books. As torturous as it was, I didn't want to keep being a mediocre student, especially not in Henry’s class.

By 6:00 PM, I was ready to go. Right on cue, his text came through saying he was outside.

“Hey!”, I said as I climbed into the car.

“Hey, baby.”, he answered, leaning in to kiss me immediately.

“How was work?”, I asked.

“Busy. How about yours?”

“Exhausting.”, I replied, thinking of the endless legal theory I’d had to wade through that afternoon.

“Well, sounds like we both need to unwind tonight.”, he grinned at me and shifted into gear.

We got to the pub and walked in holding hands. The place had that classic Boston pub vibe, low, warm lighting from vintage lamps and neon signs. There was a massive, weathered bar and dark wood tables scattered around. In the corner, there was a small makeshift stage where a band was setting up.

We grabbed a table near the stage and sat down.

“I’ll grab us some drinks. What do you want?”

“A beer is fine.”

“IPA or lager?”

“Lager.”

“Got it.”, he kissed me and headed for the bar.

While I waited, I scanned the room. It wasn't too crowded yet. There were groups of friends laughing loudly, couples who, like Henry and me, seemed to be on a casual date, and a few people who already looked tipsy, slamming their glasses on the bar.

But then, one person caught my eye. He was at a table far from mine, sitting alone. His clothes were rumpled, he had some serious stubble going, and he looked like he’d been drinking since the sun came up.

My eyes went wide. What the hell was my brother doing in a Boston pub in that state?