“What rumors?” His tone reeked of manly exasperation. Kind of cute.
“Ean told me that you’d interviewed for a faculty position with the University of Pennsylvania.”
&nbs
p; Quincy was silent for so long, she didn’t think he’d heard her.
“He’s right.” Quincy’s response was flat. Why wouldn’t he look at her?
“Well, congratulations.” She tried a trill of laughter. It sounded better than her first attempt. “We should celebrate.”
“‘We’?” That made him look up.
Ramona wanted to trace his arched brow. “Let me take you to dinner.”
“Isn’t that premature? They haven’t offered me a job, only an interview.”
Ramona dragged her hand through her hair, a nervous habit she still couldn’t break. “But you know that they will. So you should celebrate this opportunity.”
More silence. Quincy’s dark gaze was steady and demanding on hers. “Why?”
Ramona’s mouth opened and closed like a suffocating fish. Why was he making this so hard for her? “Because this is a momentous occasion. It’s life changing. You’re leaving Trinity Falls.”
“That’s the real reason you’re here. Because you think I’m leaving town.”
“Of course.” Her cheeks stung with heat. “I’m going to miss you. Everyone will miss you. Really badly. I just want an opportunity to let you know that.”
“Because we’ve meant so much to each other for so long.”
“Yes.” Oh, God, is he buying this?
“Bullshit.”
That answered her question. But he didn’t sound angry. Was he laughing at her? Again? “You don’t believe me?”
Quincy lowered his papers and pen once more. “You’ve known for years how I feel about you, yet you never said a word to me. Do you expect me to believe that my leaving town just happens to coincide with your sudden attraction to my magnetic charisma and movie star good looks?”
He was laughing at her. His cheeks creased with his smile. His eyes danced with humor as he stared up at her from the seat behind his desk.
Ramona’s palms itched with the urge to smack him, but she also was inexplicably turned on. “It’s like you said, Quincy. We’ve known each other for a long time.”
Surprisingly, she was telling the truth. They’d known each other since the first grade. Except for those years he’d spent away at college and graduate school, he’d been a fixture in this town. The town would feel his absence—including her. This all came as a surprise. How was she supposed to react to this?
Quincy leaned forward. “You probably thought your dinner invitation would make my day, if not my entire year.”
Ramona’s eyes stretched wide. Could he read her mind? “Of course not.”
“Really?” Quincy sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “What would you say if I told you I’d turn down the University of Pennsylvania if they offered me the position?”
“But you won’t.”
“I might. I’m kind of fond of Trinity Falls.”
Ramona spread her arms. “What’s keeping you here? Your parents and sister moved to Florida years ago. This is a wonderful career opportunity for you. It’s more money, a bigger more prestigious university. Why wouldn’t you go?”
“Trinity Falls is my home. I’m happy here.” His smile drained from his eyes. “If you’re unhappy, you should leave. But do it on your own. Stop attaching yourself to men’s coattails.”
Ramona gasped. “How dare you!”