Logan appeared dumbfounded.
“There are fifty other women in here who would be happy to let you buy them dinner. Pick any of them. Just…not that one. Okay?” Andrew stared at his friend, determined not to back down.
Something passed between them, and Logan’s jaw tightened in frustration, but he sighed in surrender.
“Fine. But you owe me.”
Andrew nodded. “I owe you.”
He had a feeling she’d be worth whatever he had to pay.
…
Three days later, Andrew found himself in Professor Shaw’s class, completely unable to focus. The aging professor never took a single step out from behind the podium and was every inch the stereotypical law professor in his pleated khakis and tweed jacket. His bushy white eyebrows even appeared to be trying to escape, pointing in several directions. Today he lectured on mineral rights, and the dry subject combined with his sluggish, monotone voice was too much to bear. Andrew would buy Dan’s drinks the next time they hung out. He wanted to kick his own ass for choosing this elective.
He surreptitiously reached for his phone. Without really thinking about it, he pulled up the contact he’d created with Lauren’s phone number. He shouldn’t have saved the napkin at all, much less programmed her number in.
But what if he had some medical emergency and couldn’t get through to Dr. Patel’s office? It might come in handy to have it.
In case of emergency.
The number had an unfamiliar area code. Where was she from? How long had she lived here? Andrew had his number changed from Nebraska to Kansas City within weeks of moving. It had probably been a petty way to send a message to his father, who, at the time, was still trying to convince Andrew he had a responsibility to the family farm.
Andrew sort of thought he had a responsibility to society at large and didn’t see why doing that meant he didn’t love his family. After all, it had been the injustice done to Jeni all those years ago that had sparked his interest in law in the first place.
Why couldn’t Rhonda take over the farm? Why did Andrew have to be the one, just because he was the only son? Rhonda already did the accounting work for their dad—she might as well learn the ropes of everything else while she was at it.
His phone vibrated, and for a second his heart stuttered at Lauren’s name on the screen. But then he realized she didn’t have his number, and he’d just been looking at her contact. A banner announcing a new message was on display at the top of the screen.
Dan: I’m dying a slow death.
Andrew tried to stifle his snicker and peered behind him at the back row. Dan had snuck in late, and apparently hadn’t wanted to join Andrew in their usual spot in the third row. Andrew was a good student and tried hard to attend every class, sit close to the front, and participate when appropriate.
For this class, though, he might need to move to the back for the rest of the semester.
“Something funny, Mr. Bishop?”
Andrew straightened and dropped the smile, tucking his phone underneath his thigh. “No, sir.”
Professor Shaw’s lips thinned in a disapproving manner, but he moved on. Andrew studied the clock on the wall and tried his best to stay awake.
Only forty-five minutes to go.
…
The following week, freedom was finally within reach.
“I think that’s everything.” Andrew reached above his head to shut the back hatch of his mom’s Suburban. “I can’t believe you’re still driving this beast.”
His mom and sisters stood in the grass beside the driveway. Rhonda approached him first.
“You’ll call if you need something, right?”
“Sure,” he said with a wink.
She pursed her lips but didn’t argue, and turned around to say goodbye to Jeni.
Valerie came up next, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m sorry we can’t stay longer,” she said, her brow furrowed in concern.