Susan Mallery Page 0,27
connect different gardens with a thing, right? The material used to construct it or the same planters or a type of plant?”
“Exactly. Feel free to suggest something. I’m running out of ideas. Last week they wanted all organic. This week they’re wondering about sand because we’re close to the beach. I could work with sand. Sand is great. Until I got an email this afternoon saying sand was too obvious.”
“Yikes. That’s not easy.”
“We’ll get there. Like I said, I’m used to hand-holding, but sometimes it’s wearing. Now tell me about your day. Why are you stress baking?”
Her shoulders slumped and she sighed heavily. “It’s dumb.”
“No, it’s not. It’s important. Talk.”
“I started my math class today.”
“And?”
“And it was awful. Professor Rejefski is seriously intimidating. The students are all younger than me and I couldn’t follow the lesson.”
“Not any of it?”
“Some. But then it got confusing. I haven’t had to study since high school. I never went to college. I signed up but then I met some guy and I took off. I was always an indifferent student at best and I figured when I applied myself, it would be easy or at least doable. But what if it isn’t? What if I was a C student because I’m just not smart enough? What if this is the best I can ever be?”
He leaned toward her. “Sunshine, it was one day.”
“I know, but—”
“One day. Give yourself a break.”
“I’m afraid I’ve peaked.”
He held in a smile. “Tell me about making pie.”
“What?”
“I’ve heard making the crust is the hard part. Why can’t you just add the ingredients and have piecrust?”
She frowned. “Weird question but sure. It’s not just about ingredients. You have to feel your way. It’s a texture thing and it takes practice.” Her mouth twisted. “Are you using a pie analogy to make me feel better? Pie?”
“Technically piecrust and yes. Look, no one is good at everything the first time. Riding a bike, singing, learning to read, going back to college.”
Sex. The thought came unbidden and he pushed it away. He was enjoying his conversation with Sunshine and he wasn’t going to screw it up by being a guy.
“It’s been one day,” he repeated. “Give yourself a break and some time. How was the professor intimidating?”
“She had a lot of rules. And there was something with blue books I didn’t understand.”
“Rules are good. You know where you stand and what’s expected. You’ll buy blue books at the student store and take your tests in them. She probably said she would collect blank ones from you before the tests, then give you back ones she brought.”
“Why?”
“To prevent cheating. Otherwise people write notes and formulas in the books.”
Sunshine looked shocked. “They do that?” She shook her head. “Of course they do that. I’m so out of touch. Some guy invited me back to his place for a pool party. He’s like eighteen. Why?”
Declan took another drink of his martini. “You’re asking me why an eighteen-year-old guy wants to go out with you? Is that a serious question?”
“I meant I’m not looking for that kind of thing.”
“You’ve sworn off men?” Knowing that would be a big help, he thought. Or at least he hoped it would be.
“Not exactly. I just don’t want to be all boo—Ah, I don’t want to be dating guys who are just in it for sex and a fling. I want someone who wants a real relationship. Someone smart and kind and funny who sees me as a person.”
There was a lot of information there—information he would have to think about later. “Seems reasonable.”
“Maybe. I don’t know. Right now I want to do my job and figure out college.”
“I was a pretty decent student,” he told her. “Here’s what I can tell you. Keep up with the material. Try to read ahead so you can ask questions during the lecture. Go to the TA sessions.”
“That’s what Professor Rejefski said. I wrote down the dates, but what is it?”
“TAs are teacher’s assistants. Usually grad students. They have help sessions where they go over the material. You can get more personal attention. There’s probably a math lab on campus. Check that out. Sit up front so the professor gets to know you. Be engaged. Show interest in the class.”
“Why?”
He smiled. “Because she’ll see you’re trying. At the end of the semester, if you’re on the cusp of getting a higher grade, being engaged can push you over the top.”
Sunshine’s eyes widened. “They do that?”
“They’re human, so yes.”
“I’m shocked.”
He chuckled. “Get over it.”
“There’s a