An Equation For Murder by Jayne Nichols

Author:Jayne Nichols [Nichols, Jayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nichols and Dymes
Published: 2017-08-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Sam hoped the apprehension he felt in his stomach concerning the possible subject of his upcoming lunch with Walter didn’t show as he reminded his students about the test on Thursday. A chorus of groans echoed off the walls. Though the test was already prepared, he was debating whether to make a few changes to it. Lillian was not grasping chapter ten at all, but thankfully, their growing interest in each other did not appear to be the cause. The entire class, including Lillian, was struggling with the concept of rational expressions and equations. He had evidently pushed them to this point too quickly.

“The test will cover only chapter nine.” A cheer resounded through the room. He held up his hand. “That does not mean a total reprieve. We will continue to cover chapter ten in class, so in addition to studying for Thursday’s test, I want you to do the exercises from chapter ten, sections one and two which you will hand in along with your tests.” Before the moaning could begin in earnest, he continued. “The exercises will not be graded. I just want to see where I need to concentrate my teaching efforts. Class dismissed.”

Lillian waited at her desk for the rest of the students to leave before approaching his desk. “I hope you’re not changing the test because of me.”

Sam shook his head. “No, Lilly. Everyone is having trouble with this one. You’re not alone. I’m just afraid it’s my fault.” He stared past her to the whiteboard. “I need to bring this theory down a notch. Simplify it.”

“Maybe another dinner menu would help.”

Sam chuckled. “Not this time. But speaking of menus, I should be going.”

Lillian stepped closer to the desk. “Sam, is something wrong?”

Should he tell her? Maybe afterwards, if all went well. “I have a lunch meeting today with the dean.” He glanced at his watch. “And if I don’t leave now, I’ll be late. Not good, since I plan to ask him for a raise.”

“I guess that explains why your shirt is miss-buttoned.”

Sam glanced down at his chest. Sure enough, the second button was in the third buttonhole. “Guess I didn’t check the mirror before I left home this morning.” He fumbled with the buttons, his gaze on Lillian’s face. “You’re making me nervous.” He sighed, then gave up.

“Here, let me do that.”

She buttoned his shirt innocently, the same way she’d probably done it a thousand times for her kids, her husband. Yet, to Sam, her fingers touching his bare skin was exhilarating. He stepped back before he was tempted to drag her into his arms and kiss her senseless.

“Are you heading over to the hospital?”

“Not today. Amanda and I are going shopping. We haven’t had much mother-daughter time together.”

“Have you told her about… us?” Sam watched while the pink in her cheeks deepened in color. He couldn’t remember a time when he enjoyed the experience so much.

“Jennifer did. The night before our dinner date.”

And that precocious, little six-year-old had seen him kiss her cheek the day he’d driven them to the airport.

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