14
Elvira
THE DAYS FOLLOWING THE reveal were chaotic.
People came to our department congratulating us, but it was obvious the visits were to sniff out the latest gossip.
Someone had sent a complaint to HR about us, my money was on Wyatt, and we got a visit from the HR lady.
But just as Levi had said, since Levi was not my supervising professor, there were no issues in us being together.
Although she had given Levi a side eye and made us watch a video on harassment in the workplace.
I had to put on my wedding ring again, because it would have been conspicuous if I didn't have one. And it was just as well that I did, because when I went to the break room one morning, a few colleagues wanted to see what it looked like.
"It's so pretty," an adjunct from the anthropology department said as she tilted my ring finger so the diamond would catch the light of the fluorescent bulbs.
"It's what I would expect someone like you to wear.
" I raised my eyebrows at Jess, who was standing in the corner of the room taking way too long to make tea.
Everyone wanted to know how long Levi and I had been dating.
When it started, and if we were going on a honeymoon.
When I said I didn't want to do so on the last part, the group went into an uproar.
"Don't be a bore!" "He has the money!" and "If I were you, I would want that hot piece of ass to myself for at least a month. "
After that, I told them we're not sure where to go and are thinking about it.
The group eventually filtered out of the breakroom, and it was just Jess and me.
There was a lot I wanted to say to her. But before we could talk, Levi entered, empty cup dangling on his thumb.
Something flashed on his hand. He was also wearing his ring.
I don't know why that made my heart stutter.
Jess flashed an apologetic smile at him. "Sorry for spilling your secrets."
I scoffed. "He gets an apology and I don't?"
"Yeah, but I was trying to save you, so…"
"I don't believe you!"
She winced and twisted her fingers. "Think about it this way. Now everything is out in the open, and you don't have to fake-kiss behind a pillar."
"We were trying not to be in the open!" I turned to Levi. "Tell her!"
Levi casually strolled to the coffee machine, pressed the cappuccino button and watched as the machine poured his coffee. "I don't mind."
I blinked. "Excuse me. You don't mind?"
Jess took my momentary attention away from her to Levi as her opportunity to flee. She shuffled away and left me alone with Levi. "You're the one who was so adamant that this was supposed to be a secret?"
His coffee finished pouring. He dragged his mug off the machine and took a long sip. "I no longer think it's necessary. That ring looks good on you, by the way." He marched past me, and I followed him, forgetting my beverage, the real reason I had gone to the breakroom in the first place.
I caught up with him, his long strides making me have to run-walk beside him. "What made you change your mind?"
He glanced at me and slowed down. "Nothing. I was tired of no longer claiming what's mine."
"What's yours? First of all, it's been a week, and second of all, I am not yours."
He stopped, and I almost bumped into him.
"That's because, one, I'm impatient and two," suddenly, his hand snaked around my waist, shocking me into acquiescence as he wrapped me into an embrace.
I was about to pull away until I saw two people walking past. "It wouldn't do for a newlywed couple to be seen arguing in public. "
"Is that two?"
His head bent down, getting closer to mine.
I detected a mix of aromatic coffee and faint mint on his breath.
"No. Two is that you've always been mine, but I've never claimed you.
Now I did." Just as I was sure he was going to kiss me in public, he drew back, disentangled me from his embrace, and began marching on.
I traced his steps, trying to parse his words.
Mine . What the fuck did he mean by that?
But it seemed discussion of any personal matters would have to be tabled because just as I was about to ask him, we saw the dean standing by Levi's office.
Levi slowed his walk to a stroll, and I caught up with him.
When we arrived, we were walking side by side.
Professor Thompson beamed and slapped Levi's shoulder.
I was about to make my way to my office when Thompson stopped me as well.
"No no. Don't go. I want to talk to both of you. "
Levi and I exchanged a glance. After a visit from HR, I was waiting for one from the dean.
But Professor Thompson did not look apprehensive.
He marched ahead into Levi's office as though it was his, but when turned to face us as we entered, he seemed to give deference to Levi and let him go to his office chair.
"I was just thinking," Professor Thompson said, leaning on the visitor's chair, his gaze darting between both me and Levi.
"Now that you two are a couple. By the way, can I say I've always known something was going on between you two?
" He flashed a mischievous smile at Levi.
"She knew how to keep it under wraps, but you didn't. The way you looked at her, anyone with eyes could see it.
Anyway." He clapped his hands once. "Now that you two are a married man and woman, I wanted to invite you to our annual couples retreat.
It's something the faculty has done for years.
Decades even, and I wanted you two to come along.
It's a fun historical adventure that nerds like you two would like.
It would be nice to have some young blood to feast on?
" The room went silent as Levi and I gave each other questioning looks.
"Get it?" Professor Thompson added. "Young blood.
" He gestured to us. "Vampires," and then at himself.
"Oh," I said and burst out my best fake laugh. Levi remained silent. Can the dude not entertain his boss's lame jokes? But I guess he didn't want to give him any ideas of us going to this retreat.
"If you need fresh blood, then we will offer ourselves as sacrifices," Levi said. What the fuck was he doing? Was this man crazy? I didn't want to spend time with geriatrics at some historical couples retreat, whatever that meant. "That's if she's up to it, of course. What do you think, darling?"
He wanted me to decide? I scrambled for an excuse, but I couldn't come up with one convincing enough or one that would not have the dean harass us for eons for refusing to attend.
He was a hard man to say no to, and if you made the mistake of doing so, he would never forgive you.
"Sure." I heard myself say. "I would love to. "
"Fantastic!" He clapped again. "I will let Suzie know so she can add you to the group chat!" He took a few steps to the door and before he got out he said, "You won't regret it."
When he was gone, Levi glared at me. "You were supposed to say no! That man has been trying to get me to join one of his silly retreats and conferences."
I was supposed to? The nerve! "Well, you should have given me the heads up, darling . I didn't know how to say no. And why didn't you say anything?"
He sighed. "Because I have refused him too many times."
"What's his deal, anyway? Why does he want to hang out with you so much?"
Levi slumped into his chair. "He doesn't want to hang so much as he wants my family's money. He wants research grants, and he thinks coaxing me into being his friend will bring in my brother's money."
I crossed my arms. "Since you now have access to your trust fund, why don't you just throw him some cash and be done with it?"
"It's not as easy as you put it." Levi rubbed his brow and cursed. He really did not want to go to this retreat. I could have felt sorry for him if he hadn't blamed me.
"I could always come up with an illness," I said, scrambling for an excuse. "Tell him I got sick close to the day of, and we can cancel this thing easy peasy."
His brows shot up. "Easy peasy?"
"Yeah."
"You sound like a character in a nineteen-forties movie."
"Fuck you. Just say you like my idea like a normal person and thank me."
"Except I don't think we can go with it. He will suspect something's up. I've used that excuse a few times before."
"Oh." Damn, we were shit out of luck.
"I know." Levi responded as though he could read my mind. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his hands at the back of his head. "I mean, it's just a weekend. What could happen in two days?"