Finn, Amber - Her Prized Student (Siren Publishing Classic) by Amber Finn Page A

can’t be firing me and sound this happy! “No, I’m not feeling ignored at all. My students are keeping me plenty busy, thank you. Was there something you wanted to tell me?”
    “Yes, I wanted to tell you that your Graduate Assistant, Blake Emory, was picked to present his master’s thesis at a regional conference, so he won’t be in your classes this week. He’ll come back for graduation, but of course, classes will be completed by then. He said he tried to call you but only got your voicemail.”
    Avery couldn’t tell which emotion won out, relief or disappointment, and wanted to get out of Amelia’s office as quickly as possible as her mind tried to figure it out. “Thank you, Amelia. My class load is light this week, so that won’t be a problem. I wish him luck.” Avery walked back to her office shaking with the news.
    Blake had tried to call to say good-bye, but she didn’t take the call. What would she have said? He slept with Leslie! You should have said good riddance! But I love him! Well, guess who doesn’t love me? Avery reached her office, closed her door, and collapsed on the couch.
    She was granted the miracle she prayed for, no Blake the entire week. She couldn’t figure out why her stomach was still so unsettled. She closed her eyes to relax and almost jumped off the couch when someone knocked at the door. The last time someone knocked at her door it was Leslie Preston.
    Avery went to the door and cautiously opened it. She was surprised to see Amelia Wentworth standing there.
    “Hi, Avery. May I come in?”
    “Sure, please do.” Avery opened the door wider and waited for Amelia to enter. “Please, sit. Can I get you something?”
    “No, thanks. Too much coffee already. I do have something I’d like to talk to you about, though. You may want to close the door.”
    This time, Avery’s stomach did fall to the floor. She closed the door and walked back to her desk. Amelia surprised her with her next request.
    “Could we sit on the couch? The desk is so formal.”
    “Okay, sure.”
    They sat down and Amelia opened the conversation with, “Are you in love with Blake Emory?”
    At that moment, Avery again said a prayer of thanks for deciding not to pick up her cup of coffee off her desk because it surely would have ended up in her lap. She looked at Amelia, stunned, knowing she had been caught. What she couldn’t figure out was how it happened. And she couldn’t figure out how she knew she loved him. She decided to tread carefully.
    “Yes, Amelia, I have been seeing Blake this past semester.” Amelia smiled at Avery’s admission of dating Blake, but Avery wouldn’t admit to loving him. “May I ask how you knew?”
    “Because I thought you two would be a good match. That’s why I assigned him to your class. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you when you came to campus for your interview. I felt it was time he settled down and that you were the perfect woman to capture his heart. You had already captured his interest.”
    Avery’s mouth fell open. She could not believe her ears. “I don’t understand. You were hoping we’d get together? But what about the university rule against it? You must be aware of it. Blake knows all about it.”
    “Of course he does. I told him, so he’d be careful. I can’t have my nephew getting kicked out of school during the final semester of his master’s degree, now can I?”
    Avery started to choke on a phantom piece of dust. “Your nephew?”
    “Are you okay? Do you need some water?”
    Avery shook her head no as she regained control. Unfortunately, she could not claim control of her senses as her mind was still reeling. “Blake is your nephew? I can’t believe it. He never told me. Now I understand why he didn’t want to discuss his past and living with his aunt any further.”
    “Well, he keeps that between us because he doesn’t want anyone to claim nepotism in any way. I tried to tell him that wasn’t a way to begin a relationship, but