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

he wouldn’t listen.”
    “Yes, I can see that. He told me he pulled some strings to get assigned to my class. I can see why he’d try to hide the fact that you are his aunt. However, I hate to disappoint you, but I don’t think he was interested in a relationship. Yes, I am in love with Blake. But I don’t think he is in love with me.”
    Amelia smiled and shook her head. “Oh yes, dear, he is. He is head-over-heels in love with you. I’ve known that boy his entire life and have never seen him this way over anyone.”
    Avery started to feel hope over that news but then remembered Leslie. Amelia watched as Avery’s face fell.
    “What’s the matter? Most women consider it good news that the man they love feels the same way,” Amelia said smilingly.
    Avery looked at Amelia through tears and said, “Most women don’t get a visit from another woman claiming a one-night stand with the very same man.”
    Amelia stood and paced the room. “Blake is many things, but one thing he isn’t is dishonest. I would stake my own life on that. I’ve never had children, and when Blake’s parents were killed in a car accident when he was 6, I stepped in and raised him as my own. I’ve never looked back. As it would happen, my husband and I later found out we were unable to have children, and we regarded Blake as a gift. But we never spoiled him. We raised him with the morals and values with which we were raised, and Blake inherited his mother’s goodness and integrity on top of that. I don’t doubt that you believed this woman, Avery, but did you ask Blake about it?”
    Avery felt ashamed as she remembered the many phone calls she let roll over into voicemail. “No,” she whispered.
    “When did you find out?”
    “Three days ago,” Avery responded.
    “Oh, Avery, don’t beat yourself up. You’re still in shock. But you need to talk to him.”
    Avery happily nodded and said she would call him after class.
    Avery rushed out of class and went back to her office. She felt as though she was going to be sick at any moment and was convinced she wasn’t going to make it to her office. The women’s restroom was directly across from her office, and Avery made a beeline for it instead. As she finished getting sick, she finally made it to her office.
    Avery felt better. No fever, no chills, no body aches. This doesn’t feel like the stomach flu. Maybe it was something I ate last night? She couldn’t remember what she had eaten, so she shrugged it off and tried to decide what to do about Blake. What Amelia said gave her great hope on the one hand, but on the other hand, she was somewhat biased and may not know Blake as well today. She doesn’t know the grown man he has become. She also did not know Leslie Preston and would not know her powers of persuasion. Blake could be as honest as George Washington and still succumb to the likes of her. Sitting there wouldn’t get Avery the answers she needed, and Avery decided to take action. The conference where Blake went to present his paper was only two hours away. Avery decided the conversation they needed to have was not one to have over the phone but face-to-face. So she decided to drive there that afternoon to confront Blake. She could be back by dinner or stay the night, depending on how things went. Avery went home to pack an overnight bag to be prepared for the best scenario and then hit the road. She was still feeling sick, so she stopped to pick up some Dramamine and a Diet Coke to stay awake.

    * * * *

    Avery pulled up to the four-star hotel and decided against valet service. Should things not go well, she did not want to have to wait for someone to get her car for her. She felt the Dramamine pills wearing off and needed to get to the nearest restroom fast. She parked her car and entered the hotel. She found the ladies’ room and was promptly sick.
    “What is going on with me?” Avery asked herself.
    She cleaned herself up and set out to find Blake. She knew he’d be