A Kiss Remembered Read Online Free Page B

dedicated to many things, but I doubt that scholastics is one of them.”
    He laughed, taking her arm and leading her across the street. “Where are you parked?”
    “I’m not. I walked to campus today.”
    “Commendable. Which way?”
    The safest, wisest, easiest thing to do would be to part company here and now. Shelley Robins always did the safest, wisest, easiest thing. She paused on the sidewalk and faced him. “Thank you, but I can go the rest of the way alone.”
    “No doubt. But I want to come with you.”
    “It’s not necessary.”
    “I didn’t say it was.”
    “It’s better if you don’t.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you’re a teacher and I’m your student,” she said, dangerously close to tears for reasons she couldn’t name.
    “As we were before. Is that what’s bothering you?”
    “I guess so. Yes.”
    “With one vital difference, Shelley. This time we’re both mature adults.”
    She hedged, gnawing her bottom lip.
    Taking advantage of her indecision, he pressed his point. “Believe me, the last thing I need in my life is a scandal. I wouldn’t do anything to compromise either of us.”
    “That’s why we shouldn’t be seen together off campus at all.” His position at the university was shaky at best. Why would he jeopardize it? Along with his problems, she had to analyze what his being in her life again would mean to her.
    No. She couldn’t become entrapped again. She’d have to bring things to a screeching halt now. Why she had ever let him talk about that kiss ten years ago, she couldn’t fathom, but …
    “I need a friend, Shelley.”
    Her head snapped up to see the lines engraved on either side of his mouth and the deep furrow between his brows. He had suffered. He had known untold trouble. Had he made a romantic appeal, she would have rebuffed it. Probably. Maybe.
    But that simple, pitiable request for friendship couldn’t be denied. He was something of a celebrity, yes. But he was also a victim of his own notoriety. Someone of his caliber didn’t inspire friendship in ordinary people who lived mundane lives. It was inverted snobbery. The fact of the matter was—he was lonely.
    She looked up into the alluring, knowing eyes and saw a hint of insecurity. “All right,” she agreed softly and began walking again.
    He matched his stride to hers. “What are you majoring in?”
    “Banking.”
    He stopped in his tracks.
“Banking?”
    She stopped, too. “Yes, banking. What did you expect me to say? Home economics?” There was undisguised asperity in her voice. To her surprise, he burst out laughing.
    “No. I’m not a chauvinist. It’s just that I can’t see you as a stodgy banker in a gray pin-striped suit.”
    “Lord, I hope not,” she said, relaxing somewhat. They started walking again. “I want to specialize in banking from the woman’s point of view. Many banks now have departments that cater to women, particularly women who have their own businesses or divorcées or widows who for the first time are having to manage their money. Often they don’t know the first thing about balancing a checkbook, much less opening a savings account or securing a loan.”
    “You have my wholehearted approval,” he said, placing a hand over his heart. “I think it’s a great idea.”
    “Thank you.” She dropped a curtsy.
    The sidewalks were all but deserted now. The sun had set behind Gresham Hall and the sky was tinted a pale shade of indigo. Oaks and elms, their leaves burnished by the cool fall weather, overhung the sidewalk, lending it intimacy. Indeed one couple had found this romantic aura too difficult to resist.
    Grant’s and Shelley’s footsteps echoed hollowly on the cracked, lichen-covered sidewalk as they approached the couple. The young woman’s back was pressed against the trunk of a tree as the young man leaned into her. His feet straddled hers. Their heads were angled, mouths fused. Their arms were wound around each other.
    As Shelley guiltily watched them,