Read Online Learning the Hard Way by Bridget Midway - Free Book Online

too.” She shifted back and forth. “Oh, God, why did I think I could do this?”
    Before Troy could ask her why this man worried her so much, he approached them.
    “Dr. Kushnell, good to see you.” The distinguished, mature gentleman, who stood a good foot taller than Ava, extended his hand.
    “Nice to see you, too. This is a nice turnout.” Ava smiled.
    Troy didn’t know Ava that well, but he recognized a fake smile when he saw it. From the way she jerked her hand back and kept from looking at this man in his eyes, he also recognized a woman scorned. Christ, did she date this guy at one time?
    A waiter handed him a cup of coffee sitting on top of a saucer.
    “I have to say, I’m surprised to see you here.” The dean flashed a pleasant smile at Troy, then returned his attention to Ava. “For one thing, this party is for the department heads. And I’ve never seen you at any university function before, not even when you were invited.” The dean’s smile broadened. “I was beginning to think you thought our functions weren’t ethical.”
    Ava coupled her phony smile with an even bigger bogus laugh. So his ideal woman was a nervous, insecure liar with a penchant for male escorts. No wonder Troy had struck out in the dating world. If all women were like Ava, he would get his heart broken daily and his perceptions shattered by the minute. And this woman taught ethics?
    Ava brought her hand up to her face and simulated like she wanted to push her glasses up her nose. After not finding them there, she instead swept her hair behind her ear.
    “It’s time for me to start getting more involved with East Coast’s functions.” Ava had kept her gaze on the floor, the ceiling, anywhere but on Dr. Vartinucci. “I guess Dr. Wunderlund recognized that when he encouraged me to come here in his place.”
    “And who is this accompanying the hardest working professor this institution has had in a long time?” The dean moved over to Troy.
    Hardest working? Yes, maybe at being a lying ice queen. He stole a peek at Ava.
    Although Troy started envisioning her as this manipulative being, she slowly looked like she wanted to implode. Her shoulders slumped down. Except for rare occasions, she kept her gaze on the floor. If this was an act, Troy fell for it. Against his better judgment, he felt the need to save her. 
    Troy extended his hand. “Hi, I’m—”
    “He’s just a friend doing me a favor.” Ava patted him on his shoulder and laughed, complete with snorts. She covered her mouth and nose with her hand as soon as the offending sound trumpeted through her nostrils.
    “Troy,” he managed to say while Ava’s snorts had rendered her incapacitated. “Nice to meet you.”
    “Good to meet you, too.” Ava’s boss turned to her. “What happened to the gentleman you paraded around a few months ago?”
    “I didn’t parade him around. Just dinners.” Ava rubbed the back of her neck.
    “Come on.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m sure it was more than that, right?”
    “It didn’t work out.” She shrugged. “He couldn’t commit, either.” Then she glared at him.
    That honest look started to make Troy a believer.
    When the dean shook his head, a stone dropped in Troy’s stomach. The gesture reminded him of a disappointed father admonishing a child.
    Dr. Vartinucci turned to Troy again. “As her friend, make sure you look out for her. Great at her job but so unlucky in love.”
    In that moment, Troy’s whole perception changed. He stared at Ava, not with sympathy, but with adoration.
    “I think she’s doing fine.” Troy wrapped his arm around her waist to emphasize his point. “Who needs love when you have a wonderful career?”
    Vartinucci laughed. “I suppose so.” He snagged a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray. “To your career. May it keep you warm at night.”
    As soon as the dean walked away, Troy removed his arm. Although they were playing a role, he knew not to cross the