Chapter 56

Tessa’s POV

Emily’s laugh echoed throughout the room. She was chuckling at a writer’s joke that Joseph had told the class. In fact, everybody, including Ruby was laughing. But I could only hear Emily’s laugh. Her face lit up and she touched Joseph’s shoulder as she laughed. He didn’t seem to mind it, or at least he didn’t make it known that he minded.

I hated that I was feeling this way towards her. Otherwise, I would have been fangirling with the rest of the class. I absolutely loved Emily Thorton’s blog. I read it every day. I was always so eager to hear about her next adventure and see pictures of the world through her eyes.

But now all I could see was an attractive girl stealing her claim on Joseph.

I wanted to shout to her that he was mine, but that didn’t feel right either. Mainly because he wasn’t mine.

Occasionally, Joseph’s eyes were turned in my direction, maybe to see my reaction towards him bonding with Emily right in front of me. I felt sick watching them and as much as I tried to focus on class, I couldn’t bring my attention to what we were doing.

For most of the class, it was just Joseph and Emily speaking about their favorite writers and their inspiration. Some of the students would ask them questions, but for the most part, everybody was watching them longingly, adoring the seemingly happy couple.

“I’m so sorry for intruding in on your class time, you guys. I just couldn’t help myself,” Emily chuckled. “When I heard Professor Evergreen talking about my favorite author, Christopher Moore, I had to give my input.”

“Your input is always welcome here, Emily,” Joseph said to her in return, causing her face to redden and her features to light up.

I had to stifle a grown, something Ruby had noticed.

She gave me a strange look from the side, which indicated that we were going to be talking after class. Once class concluded, as usual, Joseph found himself surrounded by students who were picking his brain for information about certain authors and getting tips on how to better their own writing.

I didn’t feel the need to stay in the classroom, so I went into the halls with Ruby trailing behind me.

“Is it true?” She asked as she caught up to me.

“Is what true?”

“Joseph and Emily. Are they seeing one another? I thought you were seeing him?” She asked, a timid frown decorating her face.

“Of course, it’s not true,” I said, shaking my head, annoyed that she would even ask me that question.

“Oh, good. Because I thought you were seeing him.”

“I am,” I said a little too quickly.

“You’d tell me if something else was going on, right?” Ruby asked, raising her brows as she searched my face.

“Of course, I would,” I assured her.

We reached my locker and she leaned against the lockers to peer at me.

“I don’t want another Brian situation where another dude takes advantage of you. I’ll kick his ass if he thinks even for a second, he can hurt you as Brian did,” Ruby said, narrowing her eyes at me.

I couldn’t help but smile at my best friend. She was incredibly feisty when she wanted to be and I knew nobody would dare cross her. No man or woman.

Though, Ruby was quite petite and the thought of her going against Joseph, who was a vampire, was funny to me. But I didn’t doubt that she would try, even if she did know the truth.

“Emily Thorton might be a kickass travel blogger, but you’re kickass too, Tessa. Joseph would be an idiot if he didn’t see that,” she added, giving me a kind smile. “Don’t let another woman forget that. Joseph chose you from the beginning. He liked you. I know it’s hard to believe, but you snagged an actual man.”

Conversations with Ruby always seemed to make me feel better and I could help but smile at her words, even though I knew it wasn’t true. Joseph didn’t exactly choose me, at least not with his free will.

He only chose me because it was my blood that attracted him. Just like it was my blood that attracted the other vampires.

That’s when remembrance struck me.

I was supposed to get into Joseph’s office and find out what he was hiding.

How could I have forgotten?

It was because of Emily. I was distracted due to the jealousy I felt of her being in the classroom, teaching alongside him.

“Tessa? You look sick, are you okay?”

“Yes,” I said quickly, shaking the thought out of my head. Maybe I could still get into his study at home later tonight while he’s distracted.

Just then, Joseph emerged from his classroom and his eyes found mine.

“I should go,” I told Ruby. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She waved as I rushed past her and towards Joseph.

“Let’s go,” I said quickly, turning away and towards the exit of the school.

Joseph was hesitant for a moment but then followed after me until we reached his car. It was just dark enough that he could go outside without any issues from the sun.

The ride home was quiet as I processed how the day went. I wanted to ask him about his relationship with Emily, but I found it difficult to form those words. I didn’t want him to know I was jealous because I had no reason or right to be jealous.

We got inside and we parted ways right away. Joseph went to his study and I went to the kitchen with Joseph’s lunchbox in hand. He carried it from the school and into the car tucking it under the passenger seat. I made sure to grab it before I went inside that way the food inside didn’t rot and make his car smell.

No doubt it was still filled with the food I made this morning considering he had lunch with Emily today.

But once I opened the lunchbox, I was shocked to see it almost empty except for a little bit of fruit and a sip of water left over.

The bag the sandwich was in remained in the bag too, indicating that he had eaten it.

I stared at the lunchbox, dumbfounded.

He ate the lunch I had provided.

What about his lunch with Emily?

I felt a weird sense of joy bubbling in the pit of my stomach, and I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at the corner of my lips.

On that note, I decided to start cooking dinner.

…

Pot roast, mashed potatoes, and carrots.

It made the entire kitchen smell mouth-watering and it was enough to cause Joseph to come into the kitchen inquiring what I was doing.

“Cooking,” I answered once he asked, peering around questionably.

“It seems good,” he said in return. “I’ll set the table.”

He began to grab the plates and silverware.

“I saw that you ate the lunch that I made,” I said, peering over at him as I stirred the potatoes.

“Yes. I was hungry and you did make it for me specifically. I figured I was allowed to eat it.”

“Of course. But I assumed you would have eaten whatever Emily made,” I said, without looking at him.

“I didn’t like what she made,” he answered with a shrug of his shoulders.

“I see,” I said slowly.

He glanced at me with a frown, but he didn’t say anything. I was relieved by that.

I finished cooking the meal and began to put the food on the plate. Together, we walked into the dining room and sat down to enjoy our food.

“I hope you enjoy it,” I said, a little nervous.

It was my first time making pot roast. I felt like making something challenging and really did hope he liked it.

He didn’t say anything, but the pleased look on his face, after he took a bite, was good enough praise for me.

“Can I ask you a question?” I found myself asking, peering over him.

Without looking at me, he answered, “Go on.”

“It’s about your dating history.”

He stopped eating mid-bite so he could look at me. When he didn’t respond, I decided to continue.

“I was just wondering what kind of women you like to date. Like personality, looks… etc.….”

He raised his brows at my question and stared at me for a moment longer before answering.

“I like women with bold personalities,” he began. “Women who are adventurous and not afraid of a challenge. I like women who can write and read strong and put good use to their brains. Intelligence is a huge perk and someone who is easy on the eyes and who also has a nice smile.”

Someone like Emily.

I felt that sickness returning to the pit of my stomach as he basically described Emily perfectly.

When I didn’t say anything, he decided to continue.

“I honestly haven’t been in a human relationship in a long time,” he stated, taking a bite of his food. “In fact, you’re the only one I’ve been within this lifetime.”