Resilient (2) Read Free Page B

could figure that out later. Professor Darwin took to the podium and Katrine took out her notes. Most of the students had laptops, including Mila and Hayden, but not Katrine, she was old school with her black pen and red spiral notebook. It was what she was comfortable with.  
    Not helping old lady image, will make sure to take my abacus to econ to solidify status.
    As everyone packed up their belongings, Hayden leaned   towards Katrine and said in a low voice, “You haven’t changed your mind about having coffee with me, have you?” He smelled really nice, a mix of mild cologne and cold wind.  
    She grinned and stuffed her things into her bag. “No, I haven’t changed my mind,” she said without looking up.  
    “Good. I’ve been looking forward to it all week.”
    Once they could casually break away from the rest of the group, they made their way to the coffee house on the north side of campus. It wasn’t a long walk, which was good because it was frigid. She ordered a regular coffee, two creams. No mocha-choco latte nonsense for her. Katrine was a purist when it came to java. If she was going to ingest 500 calories in liquid form it was going to be a margarita. He ordered a white chocolate something or other, but she wouldn’t hold it against him.
      “Soooo, now what?” Katrine teased as she took a seat in a velvety overstuffed chair.
    He chuckled. “Now we get to know each other a little better, how does that sound?”
    “Well, I guess that’s okay, but I’m going to need the Cliff’s Notes version because I have to get to work.” She grinned.
    “Wow, now that’s pressure. Let’s see…I’m a Taurus. I like long walks at sunset. I love babies and puppies. Oh, oh, and I build houses for the homeless. That’s me in a nutshell.”
    “You totally wasted five minutes being a smart-ass…Well done.”
    “Really, I just wanted to hang out with you. You seem like a cool person, I’m a cool person. You’re hot as hell and I’m hot as hell, it just seemed like an obvious pairing.” He smirked.
    “Okay, so serious conversation is out of the question, that’s okay with me. I rate sarcastic sensibilities right up there with long walks at sunset and philanthropic endeavors.” Hayden had a great sense of humor and they bantered back and forth with ease. She got the impression he was a trust fund baby, but he didn’t come off entitled or snobby. He seemed to have a kind nature and a good head on his shoulders. Despite these attributes, Katrine could tell that he was going to be in the friend category by the time they made their way back to her car. He was handsome and fun, but younger and he acted as much. But flirting and enjoying the view were definitely still on the table.
    “Thank you for the coffee, Hayden. It was nice getting to know you a little better. You’ll definitely make class more enjoyable.”
    “I had a great time, too. Maybe we could do it again sometime?”
    “Sure, I’d like that.” She gave him a quick hug and got into her car.  

    Teddy was out to eat with David tonight so Katrine didn’t go straight home after work. She pulled up in front of a red brick bungalow style house with two huge trees flanking the sidewalk. After ringing the doorbell and receiving no answer, she made her way around to the side gate. She knew he was home, his car was in the driveway. As she approached the fence, she heard the soft strumming of a guitar followed by a rich baritone. She smiled and decided to stay where she was, a silent voyeur at a private concert. He was by the pool in front of a small fire pit, head down in concentration. She was frozen in place for a few moments and felt gentle rumblings in her stomach. That had been happening more and more often in his presence.
    “Damn it,” she said under her breath.
    What the hell, Katrine?
    She opened the gate as quietly as she could so not to disturb him, but the fiendish creaking of the black hinge gave her away. He stopped and looked