A different professor than expected
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I had a thing for my best friend’s brother–in–law, Professor Ben Harrison.
One late night, I texted him: “Babe, you’re seriously gorgeous.”
He replied with two words: “Keep it professional.”
After a month of chasing, this unattainable hunk wouldn’t budge.
Then, the second month, my best friend called, sobbing, saying she wanted a divorce.
I puffed up my chest and declared, “I’ll be right there with you!”
Then, I texted Ben: “Old man, you’re probably useless anyway!”
“Peace out, never wanna see you again!”
That night, Ben cornered me in my room, and I ended up tearfully apologizing. “I messed up.”
He chuckled darkly, “Too late for that.”
****
My bestie, Sarah Evans, was a total goddess.
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Rich, smart, cultured, kind, and generous.
I often wished I had been born a guy.
About a month ago, she married the ultimate D.C. socialite, Matt
Harrison.
As the maid of honor, I cried my eyes out. I was the saddest person in the whole room, because, let’s face it, no guy on earth was good enough for Sarah.
And to make it worse, she was married, which meant we probably wouldn’t see each other as much.
Matt gave me a smug grin, the look of a guy who knew he’d won.
That guy was a well–known playboy.
When Sarah and Matt were dating, he and I were like oil and
water.
I constantly got under his skin. He’d get super mad, but because of Sarah he couldn’t really say anything.
On their wedding day, he was all smiles, telling me, “Okay, Taylor James, back off now. She’s mine.”
“You’re a third wheel. Be cool.”
I was ready to rip his head off.
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Then I saw this dude who looked vaguely like Matt, walking toward us.
This guy was tall, leggy, and had this quiet, refined aura.
Even Matt, the cocky one, straightened up and showed some respect.
He called him “Bro.”
The man nodded and turned his gaze to me.
Matt made the introductions, “This is Taylor James, Sarah’s best friend.”
“And this is my older brother, Bon.”
Ben was a man of few words, just a slight nod in my direction.
I stared at him. Then, a lightbulb went off.
An idea popped into my head.
At the reception, I sat next to Ben.
I straight up asked, “You single?”
My bluntness caught him by surprise.
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Besides me, everyone at the table was a relative of the groom’s.
They all stared at me, looking a bit shocked.
Ben paused, then replied, “Yes.”
“Cool, let’s exchange numbers then!”
I shoved my QR code at him. He glanced at me.
Probably because of the situation, family around, and it being a wedding, he didn’t feel like he could blow me off.
He scanned it.
I was super happy and chatted with Ben all evening.
He was so polite, answering everything I said with a careful, formal tone.
I knew he probably didn’t want to deal with me, but whatever, I had my sights set on this guy.
Ben was five years older than me. When I found out he was a college professor, I was a little surprised.
Given his family background, I figured he’d be in business or politics.
But he was in academia.
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No wonder he had that smooth, polished vibe.
Professor Harrison, you’re really good–looking!”
“I’ve never seen a hotter guy.”
Everyone at the table looked like they’d been frozen in place.
I thought their reaction was weird, but my mind was only on Ben, so I didn’t dwell on it.
I just figured I’d shocked them with my forwardness.
Ben was drinking some soup. After hearing my comment he looked directly at me.
He just said, “That’s quite the compliment.”
Unattainable guys are hard work.
To win Ben over, and be part of the family with my girl, I asked one of my friends, who is a total player for advice.
She gave me four words: Be direct, be bold.
“If you play it coy with this kind of guy, you’re doomed. You have to be upfront.”
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“The quiet ones like the outspoken ones.”
I took her advice and did some online research.
I saw a post about calling a guy “babe,” and I suddenly understood everything.
I was ready.
I’ve got a hot guy. I’m unstoppable.
I opened my chat with Ben and just texted him: “Goodnight, babe.”
Ben: “Wrong number.”
Me: “Nope, you’re my only babe.”
Ben: “Miss James, I haven’t dated you, and we’re not married, so please refrain from that.”
I was grinning like an idiot. I was loving the formality.
Was this what dating an older guy was like?
The chase was fun.
Me: “Then date me and marry me.”
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Long silence-
Ben: “Miss James, please be respectful.”
When I saw that text, I laughed out loud.
This was the best.
“Babe, I’m gonna be a guest in your class tomorrow.”
Ben didn’t reply.
From that day forward, I went to his lectures.
There, he was, in a suit and tie, gold–rimmed glasses, so hot, so restrained.
Every move, every word he uttered was so captivating.
During the lecture, Ben posed a question.
While everyone was thinking, I secretly texted him:
“Babe, so gorgeous.”
“Babe, your
voice is amazing.”
“Babe, let’s grab some food after class?”
His phone buzzed.
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Ben glanced at his screen, then looked at me across the room.
I mouthed the word “babe.”
His eyes flickered behind his glasses.
I saw Ben’s long, slender fingers reach for the black mic.
Then, his lips moved, speaking my name.
“Miss James, why don’t you answer the question?”
That was the first time I heard him say my name.
For some reason, my heart skipped a beat.
I was so flustered.
I was just a guest, and a totally distracted one. I had no idea what he was talking about.
He was just trying to teach me a lesson.
He wanted me to give up.
No way.
Everyone turned to see who Ben was talking about.
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Id up, asked him directly in the eye, and, with a touch of mischief, I said, loud and clear: “Rabe, I have no idea
The whole place erupted with noise
Everyone was gesping and whispering.
expression, didn’t change, but I saw his Adam’s apple move.
He just calmly said, “it down.”
Fle dude’t say a word about me calling him babe, and just moved on
Thare how I became famous. Everyone in Ben’s classes knew he had a “fancée” who was always hanging around.
I stopped hiding.
went from the back of the room to the front row
Jetare him right down.
But he never called on me again.
He was still cold and distant
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