Between the desks

Chapter 42

Elizabeth's POV

When the ceremony concluded, Elle and I made our way toward the dining room, a soft buzz of chatter and laughter surrounding us like a warm embrace. But despite the festive atmosphere, my mind was elsewhere—fixed firmly on Amren, who had been sitting directly behind me during the ceremony. My heart raced the entire time, a steady drumbeat of anxiety mixed with a flutter of something else I couldn't quite name.

I replayed the moments in my head—the way she looked at me with those intense, unreadable eyes. What was she thinking? 

Beneath her cool and distant demeanor, I sensed an undercurrent of tension, a push and pull that mirrored my own feelings. I understood her behavior, though; I wasn't exactly the kind of professor who inspired warmth. I was known for being stern and straightforward, traits that earned me a reputation among my students, many of whom openly admitted they found me unapproachable. But I needed to maintain that distance to protect myself; my professional life was at stake, and the last thing I wanted was to complicate things further.

Amren looked absolutely gorgeous today—there was no denying that. The way she carried herself in that stunning suit had captivated me. And then there was her girlfriend, Jess, who was equally stunning, radiating an infectious joy that made them both seem like a picture-perfect couple. Watching them together tugged at my heart, a bittersweet reminder of the line I had to walk between my professional responsibilities and the feelings that had begun to stir within me.

"We are seated with your students, Liz!" Elle's cheerful voice broke through my thoughts as we approached our designated table. My stomach dropped. Shit. 

I was going to be sitting at the same table as Amren? A wave of panic washed over me, and I felt the urge to turn back and escape. I couldn't do this. My heart was racing again, pounding in my ears as I fought to regain my composure.

"Yeah, I see that," I replied to Elle, forcing a half-hearted smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.

"What's wrong, Liz?" Elle asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

"Nothing, I just didn't expect them here," I said, plastering on a forced smile that felt more like a mask than anything genuine. Elle, ever perceptive, smiled back, but I could see the concern still lingering in her eyes.

"Hi Aunt Elle and Elizabeth! We are seated with you guys!" Jess's voice chimed in, bright and cheerful.

I turned to face her, mustering a small smile despite the anxiety churning in my stomach. It was difficult not to feel the energy radiating from Jess; she was like a sunbeam cutting through my cloud of worry.

"Yes, how fun!" Elle exclaimed, her excitement infectious.

"Should I also call you Professor? Or...?" Jess's voice turned toward me, soft and teasing.

I couldn't help but laugh at her lightheartedness. With Amren sitting to Jess's left and Lily on Amren's other side, I felt a strange mixture of comfort and tension. "No, you can just call me Elizabeth," I replied, trying to match Jess's jovial tone. It was nice to see her be so open and friendly, and her easy-going nature helped to lighten the heavy atmosphere swirling around me.

"Looks like I have a privilege over you guys!" Jess said playfully as she turned her attention to Lily and Amren, her laughter bubbling over.

I glanced at Amren and Lily. Lily beamed brightly, her smile lighting up the table, while Amren merely lifted the corners of her mouth in what I interpreted as an attempt at a smile.

"You bastard!" Lily called Amren out teasingly, her voice full of playful accusation.

I chuckled softly, appreciating the easy banter between them. As we waited for everyone to be seated, the buzz of conversation filled the air, and I chatted with Elle about the most mundane topics, trying to distract myself from the brewing storm of emotions within me.

When everyone finally settled in, the bride took the floor, addressing us with heartfelt words. We all clapped when she concluded, the room filled with applause and good wishes, but my mind was only half-focused. The moment the first course was served, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the distraction it provided.

As we dug into the meal, laughter and chatter surrounded me. The food was delicious, and I savored every bite, but my thoughts continued to drift back to Amren. With every sip of wine—this being my third of the day—I felt the familiar warmth spread through me, dulling the edges of my anxiety. It was a temporary fix, but I needed it to numb the tumultuous feelings stirring in my chest. As the evening wore on, I tried to keep the conversation light and friendly, but I could still feel Amren's presence just beside me, a reminder of the complexity of the situation I found myself in.