Chapter 53

Tessa’s POV

“Emily Thorton?!” Ruby gasped, nearly jumping to her feet in the lunchroom as soon as I told her about my encounter with the new teacher.

“Yes,” I said, frowning down at my sandwich. “She just barged into Joseph’s office.”

“I can’t believe you met the actual Emily Thorton. You know how much I love her,” Ruby cooed. “She’s my favorite blogger! What’s she like in person? I imagine she’s just as cool in person as she is in her blog.”

I thought about the encounter, and I shrugged.

“She was okay,” I said, not wanting to admit that she was incredibly cool. Everything was cool about her, even the way she dressed. Not to mention she was beautiful in every way possible. It was no wonder Joseph jumped at the opportunity to walk her to her office despite me being right there.

“Just, okay?” Ruby asked, raising her brows. “Or are you just saying that because Joseph kicked you out of his office for her?”

“He didn’t kick me out. We were done with our conversation, and she was lost,” I said, narrowing my eyes at her.

But even I didn’t believe those words.

Ruby just gave me a knowing grin.

“Tessa, you live with the guy. He’s obviously way into you. Don’t let a new pretty teacher make you doubt yourself.”

If only she knew the full story that Joseph and I weren’t actually together and that I was living with him because he was protecting me from vampires that find my blood attractive for whatever reason.

No rule says Joseph can’t date another woman. The thought gave me an unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach and suddenly, I was feeling all sorts of insecurity.

“I know, you’re right,” I said, shaking my head. “Just because she’s a pretty writing teacher, doesn’t mean Joseph is going to leave me for her.”

“So, you admit she’s pretty?” Ruby asked with a wide and excited smile.

This time I laughed at her eager face.

“She’s gorgeous,” I admitted. “Everything you’d imagine her to be.”

“I hope I get a chance to meet her,” Ruby breathed. “I have so many questions.”

Lunch ended soon after and we went out our separate ways to our classes. We didn’t see each other again until 6 pm, which was when Joseph’s class started.

Ruby met me at my locker, and we went to class together. As we neared the classroom, I froze when is saw Emily leaning against the doorframe of her own classroom that sat next to Joseph. She was peering up at Joseph and chuckling at whatever he was saying.

“Oh, my god. You were right. She’s stunning!” Ruby breathed.

“Yeah…” I said, unable to take my eyes off Joseph.

What was he saying to her that was so funny? I felt my face growing red thinking about it.

“Earth to Tessa,” Ruby said, poking my arm. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Let’s just get to class,” I muttered, walking towards the classroom.

Just as I got to the door, Joseph turned and glanced down at me, almost like he was surprised to see me.

“Good evening, Professor Evergreen,” Ruby said with a bright smile.

“Ruby,” he greeted in return. “Have you met Emily Thorton? She Miss Peabody’s replacement.”

“I haven’t! It’s such an honor, Miss Thorton. I am such a huge fan!”

“Please, call me Emily,” she said kindly, shaking Ruby’s hand.

I didn’t stick around to listen to the conversation. I felt Joseph’s eyes on my face, but I wouldn’t dare look at him. I knew it wasn’t his fault that he felt drawn to Emily. She was gorgeous, spontaneous, smart, and loved to write. She was everything any guy, or vampire, would want. I wasn’t surprised that he liked her, and I knew I didn’t really have any right to be upset over this.

It’s not like Joseph and I were a couple, despite what Ruby thought.

He was only keeping me protected from other bloodthirsty vampires. All we truly had was a one-night stand.

But still, I couldn’t help but feel some sort of way about the attention he was giving this new teacher.

I sat in my usual seat in the classroom and waited for Ruby to finally pull her attention away from Emily long enough to notice that I was no longer standing by her side.

She eventually excused herself from the conversation and went to join me at our seats.

“Have a good class,” Emily said, placing her hand on Joseph’s arm.

I curled my lip up in aggravation, but quickly lowered it before anyone noticed it.

Joseph entered the classroom moments later and started on today’s lesson before passing back on our recent assignments.

“Professor, did you know Emily Thorton was going to be teaching here?” One of the students decided to ask.

“I did not. It was a pleasant surprise. Miss Peabody’s students are very lucky to be able to learn from her,” Joseph said as he continued to pass back our papers.

“Are you a fan of her work?” Someone else asked.

“I am a longtime fan, yes. I’d be foolish not to be,” he answered. “She’s a brilliant writer.”

“You two would make such a cute couple!!”

The other students laughed at the forwardness of that statement. He didn’t bother responding to that one, but his eyes flickered to me.

Once class concluded, I quickly packed up my things while Ruby was chatting my ears off. While Joseph was in the middle of talking to a couple of students, I decided to sneak out of the room.

Though, I wasn’t quite sure where I was going to go because he was my ride. But as I reached the door, I heard my name being called from his desk.

“Tessa, would you mind staying behind a moment so we can discuss your assignment?”

I froze, feeling the eyes of the few students left behind on the back of my head. Heat trickled down my neck, and I knew my face was probably very red.

I turned back to him and nodded my head, stepping aside so other students could leave the classroom.

Ruby stayed behind, giving me a worried and questionable look.

“Are you going to be okay?”

I nodded my head, trying to give her a reassuring smile, but I knew it wasn’t reaching my eyes.

She didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t say anything more as she left the room, leaving Joseph and me alone.

“Can you shut the door?” He asked.

My heart was pounding violently in my chest.

I lived with him crying out loud. Why was I suddenly feeling so nervous around him?

I shut the door and turned to face him, his eyes pouring into my every feature and assessing my face carefully.

“You were quiet in class today. Is everything okay?” He asked.

That’s why he wanted to talk? To check in on me?

“Yes,” I lied. “Everything is fine.”

He took a step closer to me, his eyes never leaving mine.

“You know you can’t lie to me, right? Your tell is when you bite your lip,” he said as he came closer to me.

I found myself taking a step away, averting my eyes from his.

What was I going to tell him? That I was jealous of his newfound friendship with Emily Thorton? It didn’t even make sense to me in my head let alone out loud.

“So, you want to tell me what’s going on?” He asked.

He was only inches from me now and I kept my breath held, trying to maintain my trembling body.

I finally chanced to look at him. I glanced up, meeting his hypnotizing eyes just as he placed his hand on the wall behind me and pressed himself into me.

He pinned me against the wall, his face only a millimeter away from mine.

“Or do I need to get it out of you a different way?”