Chapter 74

“Thank you for your concern, Ms. White. Everything’s been going well,” Lenn said gently.

Lillian didn’t bother with small talk. She got straight to the point. “Here’s the thing, Thameron University has heard of your reputation, Professor Butler. They’d like to invite you to a seminar next week to exchange ideas about teaching. Would you be free to attend?”

“How long would the trip be?” he asked.

“Three to four days.”

Leon thought silently for a moment.

“Is there a problem?” Lillian asked.

“No,” Leon replied after a brief pause. “I’ll go along with the university’s arrangement.”

After leaving the Academic Affairs Office, Leon stepped out and called Julian. Once he’d explained the situation, he returned to his office.

Kelly found out Leon was going on a trip that evening at dinner.

“You’re going on a trip?” she asked as she bit into a chicken drumstick.

Seeing the sauce on her fingers, Leon handed her a napkin. “Yeah, Ms. White from Academic Affairs told me today. It’ll be three to four days,” he said.

Kelly mumbled, still chewing. So it seemed that she wouldn’t be seeing him for a few days.

“You being home alone isn’t ideal, so I asked Julian to help out. While I’m gone, someone will drive you to and from the university. As for meals, I’ve already made arrangements with the restaurant downstairs. They’ll prepare your food these next few days.”

Leon looked up and saw Kelly staring at him, stunned. “What is it?” he asked, raising a brow.

Kelly reached her hand out to him. “What is this, Leon?”

Leon was confused, but still he played along. “A luncheon.”

“Exactly. I’ve got hands and feet. The house isn’t far from school, so I can take the bus or call a cab. As for food, I can cook. You know I can cook.”

“I just figured cooking means dealing with grease and smoke. Plus, with me not around, I thought you’d probably just eat anything that was easy to prepare. Everything was already arranged.” Even though Kelly thought he was being a bit dramatic, she didn’t say more.

Both of them went silent. Only the soft clinking of cutlery echoed in the room.

Leon took a few bites, then glanced at her. She was eating with her head down. He couldn’t tell if she was upset or not, but Leon could sense she wasn’t exactly thrilled.

After thinking for a few seconds, he spoke up, “If you’ve got thoughts about it, just say so.”

Kelly met his eyes. She remembered how he’d told her before that communication was the most important thing in a relationship.

After a pause, Kelly opened up. “I just think you don’t need to arrange every little thing for me. I’m not a child. I’m fully capable of taking care of myself.”

“This won’t be the last trip you travel for work. Are we going to go through this whole routine every time?”

After she finished, she glanced at him hesitantly, unsure of his reaction. A part of her felt like she was belittling his concern and efforts.

Leon looked as if the idea hadn’t even occurred to him. He was used to thinking everything through for her, believing it was the right thing to do.

He let out a low, rueful laugh. “Looks like I’ve been a little too controlling.”

Kelly quietly shook her head. “No, no. I know you’re doing it because you care.”

She perked up, leaning toward him. Leon looked at her tenderly. “Are you sure you don’t want me to make arrangements?”

“Positive.” Kelly nodded firmly.

Then she added, her voice a little softer, “Whenever we’re together, you won’t let me carry anything, you won’t let me in the kitchen, you don’t let me do chores. It kinda makes me feel a little left out. I want to help you.”