Andrew Parish has waited four years to tell Dr. Levi McCrea how he feels about him. Four years of sparring in his classroom. Four years of challenging the brilliant older man. Now, on the eve of graduating from UC Berkeley, he can’t wait any longer.<br><br>When his most provocative student shows up on his doorstep, Levi isn’t sure what to think, especially when Andrew asks him out on a date. The fact that Levi doesn’t go out with students, however, doesn’t dissuade Andrew. He simply vows to come back the next day after he has his diploma in hand.<br><br>After all, Andrew has waited four long years. One more day won’t matter ...

Commencement

“Andy, honestly, I don’t understand why you think that. Or why you’d think I wouldn’t want to be seen with you.”


The corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. “Well, we never actually were, were we? Which is just as much my fault, I know.”


“No, I guess we weren’t ever seen together. But that wasn’t by design, Andy. It just sort of…happened that way.”


“I know. I know that now.” He stared at his hands. It was the most somber Levi had ever seen him. “It just all piled on top of each other, and you know how crazy my brain gets with conspiracy theories, and…I am trying way too hard at this, aren’t I?”


Levi couldn’t tolerate the distance between them any longer. He moved close enough to put a tentative hand on Andrew’s shoulder. “Maybe one of us has to try way too hard. I’m not very good at this sort of thing. I never seem to do it right.”


Chapter 16