Chapter 49
ETHAN
Iwas fully expecting a couple things today. For Dane and his colleagues to see how incredible and smart Hannah is. For them to fall in love with her program and to feel an unrelenting pride that she’s been able to accomplish something so remarkable.
I was prepared for people to see how beneficial this will be for anyone who is nonverbal, because they will be able to use this personally, not just in the corporate world. For this to change everything for her, for them.
What I was not prepared for was to hear her angelic voice again. The tone is impeccable. It’s exactly as I remember it. Soft and warm with a cheerful confidence only she ever mastered.
My eyes pool with tears. I look up and blink them away because that’s fucking embarrassing but as I look over at Dane he’s already appraising me, knowing I’m on the verge of completely losing it.
He’s always been easy to read but as he’s grown into his role as our professor he’s been better about masking his feelings and not wearing his heart so blatantly on his sleeve. Right now though, it’s taking everything he has to hold himself back from running over to me.
“This is solely yours?” Baker VanBuren stands, asking Hannah. She nods again and he and Christian share a look that only two businessmen know.
The same way people looked at Dane’s code when he created it.
“Great job, everyone! You guys did a stellar job and it was truly an honor being your professor this semester.” He’ll be teaching a new group of students next semester and it’s bittersweet for us.
I love seeing him as my professor but the fact that he won’t be ours directly is best considering how our relationship has grown.
“The panel will consult to grade your final presentations and post the results tomorrow. Have a great winter break!” Dane adds ending class quickly, which didn’t look all that suspicious considering we already went over time.
Hannah begins to unplug her laptop when Baker VanBuren walks up to her. Dane and Christian are on his heels as he holds out his hand, introducing himself, “It’s great to meet you Hannah. Do you know who I am?”
Her eyes flicker to Dane, then me and back to him as she nods with a confident smile.
“I’m incredibly interested to know more about your program.”