Preservation by Rachael Wade Page A

warm cinnamon, and apple butter samples wafted through our nostrils.
    “Yeah, I ran into him when I was doing my laps Monday night. He was friendly and he apologized, actually.”
    “Ah, the pool ...” Carter picked at my spring roll as we strolled past the luscious flowers and local art. “Mixing academics with pleasure, Kate?”
    I speared him with my chicken skewer. “No, smarty pants. We happen to both swim and we run into each other sometimes, that’s all.”
    “Oh, and you just happen to swim together...at the same time on Monday nights?”
    “Why is that hard to believe? It’s this thing called coincidence, Carter. Shall I pick you up a dictionary while we’re here, ol’ chap?”
    He pulled me aside to dodge the gathering of people that surrounded a market busker. She was singing one of my favorite Kings of Leon songs, her voice so beautiful and passion so compelling that I had to stop and listen along with the others. Carter stopped too.
    “No such thing as coincidence when it comes to Mr. Campbell. Just be careful is all I’m saying.”
    Keeping my eyes on the musician and swaying my body to the music, I furrowed my brow. “Why are you even insinuating anything is going on with me and Mr. Campbell? And what are you talking about, anyway?”
    “I’ve heard some things from Dean.”
    “What kinds of things?”
    “Just that he has a thing for his students. I guess he has a girlfriend but he still gets involved. You know Dean, the ladies’ man. He hears all from his campus groupies.”
    “Okay, what does that have to do with me?” I stop swaying for a moment, considering this. I knew exactly what it had to do with me. I also knew that Carter knew me better than I gave him credit for. And whatever attraction I’d felt for Ryan existed, whether I wanted to admit it or not. I had the feeling it was mutual, as much as I didn’t want to admit that, either.
    Who was I kidding? I was thrilled by the fact. The guy was gorgeous and as much as he irritated me, the way he got underneath my skin only made me hotter for him. I wanted to kiss him, punch him, and learn from him all at once.
    But I wasn’t stupid. If what Carter and Dean were saying was true, I had even more reason to stay the hell away from him. Unfortunately, I saw some of the proof with my own two eyes. Visions of Gilligan’s Island’s Ginger and Bubble Gum Barbie popped unwelcome into my head. I threw Ginger off the boat and stole Barbie’s pack of gum, distinguishing the thoughts. There was something genuine about Ryan. You couldn’t always trust word on the streets.
    “Don’t be surprised if he tries to hit on you. By the way you look at him, I’m guessing he already has.”
    I turned to face him now, chucking my small square food tray into the garbage can next to us. “Carter, what are you talking about?”
    “Kate, come on. I’m not blind. And whatever, it’s your life. But the guy’s a player. And it could screw up your academic career.”
    “And his ...” I mumbled, stumbling off into thought.
    “Nah, he’s doing that already on his own. He’s an idiot to be sleeping with his students. So you admit it? You’re into him?”
    I gulped the last of my drink and tossed it into the trash, then started sprinting into a power walk, away from the busker with the golden voice. “I didn’t say that. I’m just thinking out loud.”
    “You didn’t need to say it. Just don’t let him screw around with you, Kate.”
    I stopped short, passersby bumping into me. “Carter. First, there’s absolutely nothing going on with me and Mr. Campbell. Dean’s little groupies might know him...more intimately. But I’m not one of them. And second, even if I was interested in him—which I’m not—then it wouldn’t be your job to protect me, anyway. I had a dad—a shitty one. I don’t need a stand in.”
    “Fuck, Kate.” Carter’s jaw dropped. “I’m really striking out with you lately. Obviously, you are into him or you