the standard platitudes given to graduates. Never let your major, your advisors, your parents or your friends prevent you from following your dream. That’s very true. When I started my time here at the University of Michigan, I wasn’t going to let anyone tell me I couldn’t be a scientist, that I wouldn’t become a doctor.”
Glancing up from the podium, she met one of her favorite professors’ eyes and smiled. Then she scanned the audience once again. “I stand before you...”
The word “today” died on her lips when she spotted the familiar silhouette in front of her, at the entrance of the auditorium. The massive Power Center was packed full of proud parents, giddy grandparents, solemn professors and others there to wish the 2018 graduating class much success. The spotlight was on her, but it might as well have been on him. She couldn’t see his face, but there was no mistaking the man who had made her life on campus what she’d deem the best time of her life.
A flash from a camera jerked her thoughts back to the matter at hand. “I...” She covered by clearing her throat and taking another long gulp of water. “Today, I stand before you as someone who thought I knew my destiny—until I didn’t. And that’s okay.” Unable to help herself, she looked at the entrance of the massive space again. He was gone.
“It’s okay to veer off your predetermined road because your future may be off the map altogether. Be open to the possibilities of life,” she said, in closing. “You won’t regret it. Thank you.”
Avery waved, took a quick bow and hugged Professor Bauer before an escort led her off the stage. When she’d accepted the formal invitation to speak, she’d hoped to stay behind and greet some of the students, but a last-minute change to her schedule prevented that.
She wasted no time unhooking the microphone from the lapel of her suit. Thanking her escort, she proceeded toward the waiting limousine with her security following close behind. Avery could hear the cheers from the auditorium as she walked, and she felt a pang of guilt for leaving before she could shake the hands of the graduates.
“Duty calls,” she mumbled to herself with a quick roll of her eyes.
“No time to greet your fans?”
Avery tripped and almost hit the floor. Fortunately for her, that smooth baritone voice belonged to someone whose reflexes were unrivaled. His smell wrapped around her brain while his strong arms snaked around her waist, preventing her fall.
She backed out of his warm grasp quickly and tugged on her suit jacket. When her gaze met his, she knew he’d felt the spark, too. It was like a bolt of lightning whenever they were within arm’s distance of each other.
Dr. Elwood Jackson. Still fine as ever.
A sexy smirk flashed across his face before it was replaced with...apathy. “Avery,” he greeted her.
“El,” she replied, willing the warmth that had pooled in her belly away. “What are you doing here?” Avery gestured to the guard, and waved him off. The burly, six-foot-two man stepped back, giving her and El some space.
“Maybe I just wanted to come and see for myself if you were real. Or if you were a figment of my imagination.”
The barb hurt, but she didn’t blame him. The last time they’d seen each other hadn’t been pleasant. In fact, she’d rate it as one of the worst moments of her life. Three years hadn’t been long enough to erase the hurt or the longing she felt simply being in his presence.
Massaging her aching temple, she answered, “Touché.”
They stood in silence, each of them taking the other in. His gaze traveled down the length of her body, causing the hairs on her arms to stand on end and her stomach to do the crazy flips it always had when he was near. Like a magnet, his pull made her want to step forward, right into his arms. She wouldn’t, of course. Too much had happened between them to ever go there again.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern now shining in his dark orbs. “You look like you don’t feel well.”
“I’m fine,” she lied, knowing he wouldn’t believe her. He’d always been able to see right through her. Except the one time he didn’t.
“Good speech,” he told her.
“Thanks. I was nervous.”
“I couldn’t tell.”
This wasn’t right. Awkward conversation wasn’t something she’d ever have associated with the two of them. Not even on the day they met had their conversation consisted of averted gazes and start–stops.
“Why did you really come, El?”
His tongue darted out to wet his lips and she followed the motion intently. “Honestly, I don’t know. I heard you were asked to give the keynote speech, and I know it’s something you’ve always wanted to do. I guess I was just curious, interested in hearing what you had to say.”
“Well?”
He edged closer to her. “You said exactly what I thought you’d say.”
Avery sucked in a deep breath when he inched even closer. Swallowing, she croaked, “And what’s that?”
He shrugged. “Be open to possibilities. I wonder, though...” He brushed a hair off her forehead. His touch was feather soft, yet Avery felt like he was winding her up, pulling her at all ends.
She wasn’t sure what he was about, but she needed to do something, say something, that would put them back on an even footing. Because right then he was in control and she was...wanting him to be in control—of her body and her mind. The thought was sobering, considering it had been several years since they’d even conversed. El was still the only man who had that effect on her.
“What do you wonder?” she asked, leaning forward against her better judgment.
Sighing, El glanced at his phone. “Nothing.”
Avery knew El well enough to know that whatever he’d been going to say would never be said. And she just had to be okay with that.
She allowed herself another glance at his tall, lean frame, his brown skin and curly mane. Everything about him was still perfect. She glanced at his wrist and her heart swelled.
“You’re wearing the watch I gave you,” she said, changing the subject.
El shrugged. “I’m not even sure why. It’s just a reminder of the time we’ve been apart.”
Avery remembered that Christmas morning, waking up next to him after making love all night. She recalled how excited he’d been when he opened the gift. The Banneker watch was made using luxury wood, but she knew the significance of the timepiece would mean more to El than the watch itself. That was why she’d saved up and purchased it for him. Banneker Inc. was a minority-owned watch and clock company, named after African American scientist Benjamin Banneker. It was also one of the only watch companies operated by people of color. Each watch was original and the packaging included information about Benjamin Banneker’s many accomplishments.
Avery smiled sadly. “El, I guess I understand why you feel the way you do, but can we—”
The loud blare of his phone interrupted
