Chapter Fifty Five

Friday;

I blinked my mind racing. What did she mean by that?

Johanna was muttering under her breath, her voice barely audible, but I could make out fragments. "Why did I do this?" she repeated, her tone tinged with frustration and regret. Her shoulders slumped, and her gaze fell to the floor as if she couldn't bear to look at me.

I stood there, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions colliding inside me. Did she regret kissing me? Did it mean anything to her, or was it just some momentary slip? Was this just another cruel twist, something she'd dismiss?

"Don't tell me you regret kissing me," I said, barely able to mask the disbelief in my voice.

She stopped, her muttering silenced as her eyes finally met mine, softening ever so slightly. "I don't regret kissing you," she sighed, almost as if she were confessing a secret. "Hell, I've wanted to do that for a long time now." Her voice grew quieter. "I just regret that it had to happen in my office."

I raised an eyebrow, scoffing lightly. "True," I said, my words laced with a faint smile, "I didn't exactly picture my first kiss taking place in my professor's office."

The words seemed to catch her attention. Slowly, she stood, wincing as she moved, but her eyes were locked on mine with a sudden, fierce intensity. She walked toward me, every step deliberate, as if she were savoring each inch between us. Her hands reached up to cup my cheeks, her touch surprisingly tender.

"Your first kiss?" she murmured, her voice low and filled with something I couldn't quite place. "Are you telling me I'm your first kiss?"

"Y-yeah," I stammered, feeling my face grow warm under her gaze, nodding slowly, almost afraid to admit it.

Her grip on my cheeks tightened, just slightly, and her eyes flickered with a hint of wonder, maybe even pride. "I am your first kiss?" she whispered again, her voice full of something that made my heart flutter as I nodded once more, mesmerized by the intensity of her gaze.

Her mouth hung open in surprise, her hands still cradling my cheeks as her thumbs gently traced slow circles over my skin. "How are you twenty-two and haven't—" She stopped mid-sentence, her expression shifting as her lips curved into a warm smile. "No...wait. I'm honored to be your first kiss," she whispered, her voice soft and full of a rare gentleness.

Then, leaning in, she pressed a quick kiss to my lips. "And I guess I'm also your second," she murmured, stealing another peck. "And third." Her smile was playful, and it stirred a laugh from me.

I chuckled softly. "Honestly, I half-expected you to bolt the second I said that."

She smirked, her hands finally dropping from my face. "I can't exactly run away in the state I'm in right now, don't you think?" she teased, wincing as she straightened herself.

I glanced at my watch, reality tugging me back. "I've got to go," I said reluctantly, reaching for my bag. "I'll see you later?"

But before I could leave, she held up her hand, stopping me. "Wait," she said, motioning between us, "we need to talk about... this." Her gaze softened. "I don't want to do it here, in my office. Can we meet at the park later?"

Nodding, I slung my bag over my shoulder. "Sounds good."

I turned to leave, but she reached out again, this time with her phone in her hand. "One more thing." She held it out, eyes expectant. "I'm going to need your number."

With a small smile, I took her phone and quickly added my contact. Her hand brushed mine as I handed it back. "Thank you, sweetheart," she murmured, her voice a tender warmth that lingered even as I walked out of her office, a smile tugging at my lips the whole way.

The moment I closed her office door, a burst of excitement flooded me. I let out a soft squeal, unable to contain the giddy energy that had me bouncing on my toes, a grin stretching wide across my face. But a quick glance around reminded me I was in a public hallway, and I forced myself to settle down, clearing my throat as I composed myself.

I made my way outside to the courtyard, where Lea was lounging by the fountain, cigarette in hand, her gaze drifting lazily over her phone. "Lea!" I called, picking up my pace as I jogged over, my excitement radiating.

She looked up, eyes flicking over my face, and immediately scoffed. "Dude," she said, cocking an eyebrow, "you're grinning like she just kissed you." I stayed silent, my grin only growing. Her eyes narrowed as she took a slow, calculating drag of her cigarette, then widened in shock. "Wait—dude!" she practically shouted. "She actually kissed you, didn't she?"

Lea flicked the cigarette to the ground, crushing it under her shoe as she sprang up, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me with a grin that nearly matched mine. "Tell me everything before I die of suspense," she demanded.

Laughing, I pulled her down beside me on the edge of the fountain. "Okay, okay—before we even get to the kiss, let me tell you what she did for me."

I dove into the story, recounting every detail to Lea, her wide-eyed gaze fixed on me. "I mean, I walked into her office, and she looked... awful, Lea. Bruises everywhere. She looked like she'd been through hell."

Lea's mouth fell open, eyes growing wider with each word. "What happened?" she whispered, practically hanging onto my every word.

"She fought my dad on my birthday." I sighed, feeling a pang of gratitude and disbelief all over again. "She didn't even know what he did to me back then, that's why she didn't do anything when we were at the bar."

Lea's face hardened with anger, then softened, her shock deepening. "She went through that for you?"

I nodded, feeling the mix of emotions well up again. "And then," I continued, "she broke up with Carol right after the picnic with Elizabeth." I gave her a small, incredulous smile. "After that, I checked her bruises, and she just... leaned in. She kissed me, Lea. My first kiss."

Lea's eyes glistened with surprise and excitement, hands covering her mouth. "Your first—Valentina!" she practically squealed, clutching my arm.

"When she pulled away, she looked so rattled. At first, I thought she regretted it completely." I shook my head, a soft laugh escaping. "Turns out, she only regretted that it was in her office. And she got my number, Lea—she wants to meet at the park later to talk about... all of this."

Lea's eyes sparkled with warmth and excitement as she squeezed my hand, her smile widening. "Girl, this is huge," she repeated, as if her words could ground me. "You have to go to the park and hear her out... it sounds like this could be something real."

I let out a nervous laugh, glancing away. "I'm so scared, though! I mean, this was my first kiss, and it was with my professor. What if she wants more, and I'm not ready for that?"

Lea's smile softened with understanding. "Montgomery doesn't strike me as the type who'd push you into anything. She'd wait—she's gone this long already, right?"

"But what if she gets tired of waiting?" I whispered, voice tinged with doubt as I looked down at our hands. "I don't want to disappoint her."

Lea gave my hand a reassuring pat. "Then tell her exactly that. Tell her at the park you need things to move slowly." Her voice was steady, grounding me with her calm confidence. "If she really cares about you, she'll understand."

I nodded, letting her words sink in, then suddenly remembered she was supposed to come over later. "Oh, wait—you were coming over tonight! I could ask Johanna if we can meet another time..."

Lea scoffed, giving me a mock glare. "Absolutely not! I'll hang out in your room; this is way more important."

I studied her face, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. "Are you sure?" I asked, and she nodded with a smile. I took a deep breath, wondering what this talk could lead to. My heart felt both hopeful and scared, but one thing was clear—this was a moment I couldn't miss.

✿

It was just before six in the evening, and the golden light was fading, casting the park in a calm, shadowy glow. I sat on the worn wooden bench by the pond, the one I always seemed to find myself at, watching as the ducks glided lazily across the water, their feathers reflecting the last streaks of daylight. The air had that crisp, quiet feel it gets right before nightfall, and the birds in the trees were beginning to settle down, their calls growing softer as the sky darkened.

Johanna had texted me earlier, saying she'd meet me here at six. I checked the time again, feeling the familiar flutter of nerves in my stomach. I had no idea what to expect from this conversation—if she'd tell me that kiss was a mistake or if she'd say she wanted to see where this... whatever it was... might go.

My heart raced at the thought. Each possibility felt like it could turn my world upside down. I pressed my palms against my knees, trying to steady myself as I listened to the faint rustling of leaves and the gentle splash of water.

Lea had been a whirlwind in my room, tossing clothes around and giving her unfiltered fashion critiques until we found an outfit she deemed "perfect." She insisted I wear a soft, flowy dress and had me curl my hair, which now bounced slightly with each step. She was, without a doubt, my biggest cheerleader, sending me off with a grin and a thumbs-up.

As I waited on the bench, I heard the unmistakable sound of paws skittering across the gravel. Turning, I saw Tuna racing toward me, his tail wagging in excitement. "Tuna!" I called out, my voice breaking into a laugh as he skidded to a stop beside me. I crouched down, scratching him behind his ears as he wiggled happily.

"Hello, Valentina," came Johanna's soft, familiar voice, a little breathless as she approached from behind. I glanced up to see her standing there, her gaze warm but a bit guarded, her eyes meeting mine as I straightened up.

"Hey," I replied with a smile. She moved around the bench, her hand brushing lightly over my shoulder, sending a small thrill through me before she came to stand in front of me. Her expression softened, and she inclined her head down the path. "Shall we take a walk?"

I nodded and stood, joining her as we started down the winding pathway, with Tuna trotting just ahead, occasionally looking back at us as if to make sure we were following. We walked in silence for a few moments, the soft crunch of gravel underfoot and the gentle evening breeze filling the air. After a while, Johanna glanced at me, her expression serious yet tender.

"Do you want to talk now, or just walk for a while?" she asked, her voice low, as if not to disturb the quietness around us.

I shrugged, trying to mask my nerves, and watched Tuna sniffing curiously at a nearby bush. "Uh, we can talk now, if you want."

Johanna nodded slowly, her face thoughtful as she looked ahead, though her gaze would flicker to me every so often. "What happened in my office was..." Her voice trailed off, and she bit her lip, her expression unreadable. I held my breath, dreading she might say it was a mistake. "..Unexpected."

"If you wanted to say it was a mistake," I murmured, struggling to keep my voice steady, "just... tell me."

She halted abruptly and turned to me, her hands wrapping around mine. Her chuckle was soft and reassuring. "Sweetheart," she said, her thumb gently rubbing circles against my knuckles, "the only mistake I made was not kissing you sooner. Please don't ever think I'd regret that kiss."

A wave of relief washed over me, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "I'm sorry," I whispered, glancing down. "I've never done anything like this before, so... I don't know what to expect."

Johanna let go of my hand but kept close, resuming her steady walk along the path. I followed as she spoke, her voice calm but a bit vulnerable. "That's actually what I wanted to talk about." She looked forward, then back at me, choosing her words carefully. "I want to pursue"—she motioned between us—"whatever it is we have going on."

My heart swelled with excitement, but she raised a hand to stop me from responding. "Let me finish." She gave me a gentle look before settling down onto another bench, patting the space beside her. I sat next to her, feeling the nervous anticipation in the quiet evening air around us.

Tuna trotted back over to us, a stick clamped in his mouth, tail wagging in excitement. Johanna bent down, took the stick from him, and tossed it across the park. Her movements were slow and deliberate, as if she was gathering her thoughts before she spoke. She turned back to me, reaching out to hold my hand, her fingers warm against mine.

"Before I ask if you want this... us," she murmured, glancing from our joined hands back to me, "there are a few things I need to say."

I nodded, noticing the way her gaze grew serious, and how she caught her bottom lip between her teeth in thought. "I'm your professor, and you're my student," she continued, her voice low. "Which means no one can know about this." She gestured between us, an unspoken understanding in her eyes. Guilt prickled at my chest; Lea already knew.

Johanna's sharp eyes caught my expression, and she let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You already told Lea, didn't you?"

I squirmed, attempting a poor denial. "Uh... no?"

The look she gave me was somewhere between amused and exasperated, like I'd just stolen the last piece of cake. "Alright, I probably should've expected that," she sighed. "Do you trust her?"

I nodded quickly. "Yeah, completely. Besides, she's literally dating her old high school Geography teacher."

Johanna's brows shot up. "Why do all the people I know date their students?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head with a half-smile. For a moment, she seemed lost in thought, her eyes distant, and I stayed silent, letting her gather herself.

Then, she cleared her throat, her gaze returning to me. "I'm thirty-eight," she said, her voice softer, almost hesitant. "Nearly thirty-nine."

I blinked, trying to process the whole list of quirks and boundaries she was laying out in front of me. Thirty-eight? Okay, she's older than I thought, but it didn't bother me. I found myself intrigued, maybe even more so.

She shook her head, a slight grimace on her face. "I absolutely hate slobs," she said firmly, her distaste clear in her expression. "I can't stand mess. If I'm going to let someone into my life, let alone my space, they need to be able to take care of themselves." I mentally sighed in relief—I was definitely no slob.

Her gaze settled on me, unwavering. "I'm a jealous person, Valentina. I don't like sharing, not when it comes to someone who's mine." Her words lingered, almost possessive, yet I found the intensity stirring something inside me. "And sarcasm? It's part of who I am. So don't expect that to change."

Sarcasm I could handle. I had dealt with her sharp words long enough to know they were often just a cover. "There's one more thing," she continued, her voice matter-of-fact. "I don't like kids, and I don't want any. They're messy, needy, and honestly, just not my thing."

I nodded slowly, smiling a little. It wasn't surprising—she had the kind of independence that seemed unbreakable. Still, part of me wondered if she might soften someday. Maybe in the long run, I'd make her see things differently, but for now, I just wanted her.

"Now," she said, readjusting herself on the bench, her fingers still intertwined with mine, "I know this is all new to you." She studied my face, waiting for my nod. "I'm not a very patient person," she admitted. "Everyone who knows me could tell you that. But with you..." she paused, her voice softening, "I'll be patient. I'll go as slow as you need."

"What if... what if you get bored?" I whispered, suddenly unsure, unable to meet her eyes. I felt her hand gently tilt my chin up, and when our gazes met, her expression was so open, so unguarded.

"Sweetheart," she murmured, "I've always liked being alone. It was easy. But then I met you, and for the first time, I found myself wanting someone else's company more than my own." Her thumb brushed my cheek softly. "I could never get bored of you."

This woman. The one in front of me now was so different from the intimidating professor I'd first met. It was like she had layers I hadn't even scratched the surface of, each one softer and more complex than the last. She gazed at me, a warm smile curling at her lips. "So, would you like to pursue this?" she asked, her voice gentle yet teasing.

I bit the inside of my cheek, considering all that had happened. The nerves fluttered in my stomach as I thought it over. "Going once," she joked, quirking a brow, "going twice..."

I chuckled, feeling a sudden rush of certainty. "Yeah, I'd love to keep going with this."

Her face brightened, and in a smooth movement, she slid her hand to the back of my neck, pulling me into a soft, lingering kiss. Her lips were warm and unhurried, but before I could completely melt into it, she pulled back, a look of guilt crossing her face. "I'm sorry!" she murmured. "I didn't mean to rush you. I know you wanted to take things slow."

I rolled my eyes, grinning as I reached up to gently cup her face, pulling her closer. She winced slightly, and I quickly gasped, "Sorry! I forgot you were a punching bag."

She laughed, leaning into me again. "I'd be a punching bag for you any day," she murmured, brushing her lips against mine with a mischievous grin before kissing me again.

After a few moments, she pulled back, eyes twinkling with amusement. "You know," she teased, "we might need to work on your kissing skills."

My cheeks flamed, and I buried my face in my hands, feeling like a total amateur. She let out a soft laugh and gently pulled my hands away. "I'm joking, sweetheart," she said, squeezing my fingers reassuringly. "You're not thaaat bad."

I couldn't help but think, she's going to need all the patience in the world with me because, truly, I have no clue what I'm doing. Johanna threw the stick for Tuna once more, watching him bound off before turning her attention back to me. Her fingers were entwined with mine, and I could feel her thumb gently tracing small circles across my knuckles.

"Are you going to the hospital tomorrow?" she asked, her gaze soft but her fingers fidgeting slightly in mine.

I nodded, offering her a small smile. "Yeah. Lea's coming along to help." I watched her bite her lip, a gesture that made her seem a bit vulnerable and thoughtful, a side she rarely showed.

She took a breath, her voice tentative. "Can I bring you anything?"

I chuckled, deciding to lighten the mood a bit. "Cake, coffee, some chocolates, a donut..." I started listing a bunch of random treats, watching her eyes roll playfully as she folded her arms and pretended to look put-upon.

"Anything else?" she smirked. "Maybe a small bakery, while I'm at it?"

"That would be wonderful," I laughed, nudging her with my shoulder. "But, really, you don't have to bring me anything."

Tuna bounded back with the stick in his mouth, tail wagging furiously, his eyes bright as he dropped it at our feet. I bent down, reaching to grab it and give it another toss. "Maybe we could plan another play date sometime?" I suggested, glancing up at her as Tuna bolted off once again.

Johanna's eyes lit up, a playful grin stretching across her face. "I know just the place," she said, pulling out her phone. "I stumbled upon this gorgeous sunflower field not too long ago, and I think you'd love it." She handed me her phone, the screen already filled with sunlit photos of towering sunflowers and open skies.

As I scrolled, one image in particular caught my eye—a shot of Tuna, standing proudly among the flowers, wearing a sky-blue collar that matched the endless sky above him. It was the same photo she'd set as her wallpaper. "It's beautiful," I murmured, glancing over the pictures, captivated by the vibrant yellows and deep greens.

Her gaze softened as she watched me. "I'd love to take you there," she said, a quiet sincerity in her voice. When I looked up and handed her phone back, she gave me a warm smile.

"Just let me know when." I returned the smile, glancing at my watch. "I should probably head back."

Johanna rose from the bench, extending her hand, and when I took it, she pulled me up with a gentle but steady grip. I half-expected her to let go, but she kept holding on as we began walking together toward the parking lot. The weight of her hand in mine felt solid and reassuring, grounding me in a way I wasn't sure I'd ever felt before.

At the parking lot, she turned to me, her arms wrapping around me in a hug that felt so warm, I wanted to melt into it. She held me close, her voice soft by my ear, "Thank you for giving me a chance," she murmured, pulling me just a bit tighter. When she pulled back, her gaze held mine, intense yet gentle. "I promise you won't regret it."

"I hope not," I joked, trying to hide the butterflies in my stomach. She raised her hands to cup my cheeks, her thumbs brushing softly against my skin. "Can I kiss you?" she asked, her voice a gentle whisper as she looked at me with such tenderness, it nearly undid me.

I nodded, unable to speak, and a small smile played on her lips as she leaned in. Her lips hovered over mine, teasingly close, yet she held back. So, I closed the gap, pressing my lips to hers. Her kiss was slow, deliberate, as though she wanted to show me each movement, guiding me without a word.

Suddenly, a bark shattered the moment, and we pulled apart. She rolled her eyes, looking down at Tuna, who was staring up at us with an unmistakably disapproving expression. "Goodness," she sighed, giving him a playful glare, "he can be so damn jealous sometimes."

"Aww, do you want kisses too?" I cooed, crouching down to scratch behind his ears. She let out a mock sigh and shook her head, crossing her arms.

"Ms. Wilson, if you kiss that dog, I swear I won't be kissing you until you've washed your mouth," she teased, raising an eyebrow.

I bit back a grin and stood, raising my hands in mock surrender. But silently, I resolved to sneak a kiss for Tuna when she wasn't looking and get one from her afterward.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss on my cheek before calling Tuna and heading toward her car. I waved, feeling warmth spread through me as I watched her go.

As I got into my car, I took a deep breath. "Alright," I whispered to myself, "here's hoping I don't regret this."