Got Your Number

laughed.
    "You've been on my mind ever since," he said. "I kept wondering where you were, what you were doing, how your life had turned out. When your name came up for the award, it gave me a chance to look you up."
    "Who nominated me?"
    His grin was sheepish. "I did. And Nell agreed wholeheartedly."
    "So why didn't you look me up before?"
    He gestured vaguely, seeming flustered. "I didn't think you'd want to hear from me."
    "I didn't, for a while."
    "And now?"
    Good question. She was still drawn to him, no doubt, like a crippled moth to a flame. But could she ever forgive him for the furrow he'd plowed through her heart? "I'm not a naive coed anymore, Carl." Her voice sounded stronger than she felt—at least the coed part was true.
    He left his chair to stand in front of her. "I can see that." He reached for her hands and pulled her up against him. His body was lean and firm, proof that he still followed a strict vegetarian diet and exercise regime. She remembered his penchant for nice cologne as she inhaled a complex aroma. He held her loosely and lowered his mouth to hers for a gentle, exploratory kiss.
    Very...nice. Had his kisses always been so sweet? He really needed to change that flickering light bulb overhead. And when was the last time the crown moldings had been dusted?
    A rap on the door sent them flying apart—that part came back to her pretty easily. Along with the guilty flush.
    A beaming young redhead stood with her hand on the doorknob. "Dr. Seger—oh, I'm sorry." Her smile vanished, which did little to diminish her beauty. "I didn't realize you had a...visitor."
    "Kelly," he boomed with a little laugh. "Do you have those papers you need for me to sign?"
    "Yes," she said, staring at Roxann. "But I can bring them back later."
    "I think that would be best," he said. "I'll see you in class."
    "Okay. Bye."
    When the door closed, he turned an apologetic smile in her direction. "I should know better than to leave the door unlocked—students just barge in whenever they please."
    Roxann pressed her just-kissed lips together, thinking that any woman in Carl's life would have to learn to share him with the student body—professors were practically public domain. "Dr. Oney said you weren't teaching as many classes as you used to."
    "That's right—although I'm doing more counseling and advising."
    One-on-one with those lovely student bodies. Immediately she felt contrite—Carl couldn't help it if the female students were infatuated with him. And she certainly couldn't blame the girls—that would be the pot calling the kettle black. "Well, I'd better let you get back to work," she said, suddenly anxious to escape and do some heavy thinking.
    "When can I see you again?"
    She smiled as she slipped into her coat. "I hear you're on the auction block tonight."
    His face reddened. "I don't know how I got talked into that."
    "Maybe I'll come and drum up your bids."
    "That would make the evening tolerable."
    "Except I don't have much cash," she warned with a laugh.
    He pulled her into a loose hug. "You don't have to pay me to spend time with you. Let's have a romantic dinner tomorrow night at my place."
    She hesitated, but only for effect. "Do you still live at the same address?"
    He nodded. "Do you remember how to get there?"
    "I think so." Although she'd only been there a couple of times for student cookouts—never alone with Carl. Too tempting.
    "Meanwhile—" He kissed her lightly. "I'll see you tonight?"
    "Yes," she said, feeling better. When she left the building, her step was lighter. The whole heebie-jeebie thing was just because she was accustomed to her association with Carl being furtive, clandestine. Almost delicate. The fact that they didn't have carnal knowledge of each other had made their relationship seem like the stuff that classic novels were made of—a bond that transcended a physical union. This freedom would take some getting used to.
    "Roxann?"
    She turned in the direction of the shout and balked at the woman jogging across the lawn, dodging students. " Elise." Since Elise had been a track star, she quelled the urge to make a run for it.
    Her former roommate came to a bouncing stop in front of her, copper curls springing wildly about her elfin face. She wore spandex shorts and a sports bra with sweat stains. "I thought that was you. I didn't know you were coming up for Homecoming."
    "It...was a last-minute decision. I'm staying with Dr. Oney for a few days." The woman's eyes were glassy,