and rubbed her eyes. “Yes, of course. I keep thinking the right time will make itself apparent, but somehow, that never seems to happen.”
He took a bite of his sandwich and washed it down with coffee.
“There will always be something that comes up.” He locked eyes with hers. “You’re better off ripping off the bandage and doing it.”
“I know.” She let out a little huff of breath. “It’s easier for you. You’re open and honest with everyone.”
What would she say if he told her the truth right now? Told her he had been lying to everyone he knew for most of his adult life? He took another bite of his sandwich to avoid having to respond.
“Anyway,” she said. “I owe you an apology. If you want to file a complaint with the dean, we might be able to reverse the grade and see about changing the situation. With a different instructor, of course.”
He glanced back at her face and noticed she looked a little ill. Obviously, this was weighing heavily on her.
“I don’t think that’s necessary. I was failing the class before you took over.”
And he’d failed it two other times before.
“From what I could see, Mr. Lewis wasn’t the greatest instructor. He was already having health issues before his heart attack, and a lot of students were suffering. I think you could make an excellent case for an appeal.”
“And what would that mean for you? If I filed a complaint and made an appeal?”
She looked down at her computer. “Normally, nothing. I would offer my communiqué with you and your previous assignments with Mr. Lewis. The dean would probably allow you to retake the class without paying, at the very least.”
She was avoiding his question. “But for you?”
She shrugged one small shoulder. “I’m new, so they might frown upon the whole situation for me.”
Again, there was more she wasn’t telling him. “I see.”
“That’s what you say when you want to ask more questions, but you don’t feel like it’s the right time.”
He smiled at her. “Actually, that’s exactly right. I think most people figure that I’m not smart enough to know exactly what they’re talking about, and I’m giving up. Seeing as I’m just a mechanic and all.”
She squinted her eyes, a hint of anger screwing up her lips into an adorable snarl. “Well, that’s ridiculous. I’m sorry the people you hang out with can’t see what’s right in front of them: that you’re obviously very intelligent. And besides, mechanics tend to have quite highly developed analytical skills.”
He did love it when she got feisty. And the fact that she was doing it on his behalf touched something inside him.
She continued before he could say anything. “Not to mention you’re going to college. What are you studying?”
“Mechanical engineering.”
He waited for her to scoff, but she didn’t. She nodded exuberantly. “I’m not surprised. I would imagine you’re exceptional at engineering.”
He pushed the remaining bit of sandwich around on his plate. “I was okay. I actually went by campus today to submit my formal withdrawal from the program.
“What?”
“Yeah. I’ve decided college life wasn’t for me.”
He watched in horror as her eyes filled with tears. “Oh no! Because of me? Please, no.”
“No, not because of you. I promise. My attempt to get my degree was to fulfill a very specific purpose and that purpose had a hard deadline. Looks like there’s no way for me to make that deadline, so I’m going to focus on other things for a while.”
She didn’t look convinced. “Don’t you want to work at the auto shop anymore? Were you hoping for a new career? Is that what you were working for?”
He finished the last bite of the sandwich. “No. I wasn’t looking for a change. I like doing mechanical design, and honestly, I don’t need a degree to do it. Besides, I’m quite happy with my job as Oak Creek’s super mechanic. We have enough super soldiers, so I fill another void.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I see.”
He chuckled. “Touché.”
“Can I at least talk you out of withdrawing? Take a couple of weeks and think about it. Things may seem a little different later on. Or at least do it for me, so I won’t feel like such a schmuck.”
He laughed out loud at that. “Deal. I can’t have you feeling like a schmuck.”
“I really am sorry. I would never want to discourage anyone in their academic pursuits.”
Her apology was so obviously heartfelt, it was impossible not to take her sincerely.