The Perks of Higher Ed by N.D. Jones

Author:N.D. Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kuumba Publishing
Published: 2018-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

“I assume you’re aware of EBC’s policy governing dating in the workplace.”

Despite knowing his relationship with Sky couldn’t go unnoticed by others forever, the call from Edward Alston, Dean, College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, had still taken Malcolm by surprise. He figured his being away from campus on summer vacation and not visiting Sky at work, he’d have time to solidify his relationship with her before going public at work.

The sixty-one-year-old man’s gray eyes, gray suit, and gray personality stared at Malcolm from behind spotless glasses and thin, pursed lips. His salt-and-pepper hair did nothing to add character to the drab man, although his red-and-gray striped tie reminded Malcolm of Sky’s splash of color.

He tamped down the smile the thought of Sky evoked, then a frown that had him glancing at the clock on the wall behind Dean Alston.

“Am I keeping you from something, Dr. Styles?”

“I promised to drive a friend to the airport.”

“Would that friend be Dr. Ellis? It’s my understanding that she’s slated to attend SUNY’s Summer Leadership Retreat at White Eagle Conference Center.”

Until today, Malcolm had had no strong feelings toward Dean Alston. He neither liked nor disliked the man. As a dean and supervisor, he was competent and dedicated, leading with transparency and vision. He also suffered from a case of egoism and an overdeveloped sense of paternalism.

“Impressive for someone so young. Dr. Ellis is a beautiful woman. I can see why—”

“Yes, I’ve read EBC’s relationship policy.” He didn’t like the path the dean seemed intent on going down and wanted to stop the snowball at the top of the hill. “EBC doesn’t forbid dating between colleagues.”

They couldn’t, not at a public institution. Malcolm handed Dean Alston the envelope he held in his hand. The last-minute meeting request might have been unexpected, but that didn’t mean Malcolm had come unprepared.

“What’s this?”

“An official letter you can put in my file.”

The letter wasn’t mandatory under EBC’s relationship policy, but Malcolm knew better than to entrust his career and future to words spoken behind closed doors. He’d also asked Sean to draw up the letter. They were still on the outs, and it would be a while before they repaired the dent Sean’s affair had put in their friendship. When it came to the law, however, Malcolm trusted no lawyer more than he did his brother-in-law.

“I sent the same letter to President Hicks.”

He didn’t bother adding that he also intended to forward the letter, signed by both Sky and himself, to the Vice President and General Counsel and to Director, Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Officer. Among the many lessons his parents had instilled in Malcolm and Angie, thoroughness ranked high on the list. Even private Sky, who Malcolm thought would need convincing to sign the letter of mutual consent to their sexual relationship, had agreed with his plan.

Dean Alston opened the envelope and read the short letter. Malcolm met the gray eyes of his superior and what he saw in their depths reflected Sky’s fears about engaging in an office romance.

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