Woman of Substance Read Online Free PDF Page B

closed against the fluorescent light, she leaned against the opposite wall. Nadine finished her telephone conversation and looked at her expectantly. The university radio station continued to play softly in the background.
    Robbie stepped away from the wall, then slipped her backpack onto her shoulders. During the short walk to Nadine’s desk, she felt as if her shoes were caked with gumbo. “Behind every department chair is a saint. And you’ve got to be it.”
    Nadine nodded. “It doesn’t take a saint to work for the best. It takes someone with great skill.”
    “I asked for her to be my advisor because I know she’s the best in the department. But I think she’s wrong about my disguise,” Robbie said.
    “It’s your thesis, your life.”
    “You know her very well. She said almost the same words. Right now I’m having trouble lifting my feet to walk out of here. I’m scared.”
    Nadine passed her the student-sustaining box of chocolates. “You choose, soft or hard.”
    While she studied the diagram of the selections, her hand lingered over a chocolate-covered cherry, her favorite pampering candy. Finally, she peeled the blue foil off a chocolate-covered hazelnut and popped the treat into her mouth.
    She leaned into Nadine’s space. “Work with me on this. Come shopping tomorrow.”
    Nadine stood up and ran her hands over her cashmere sweater and down the black wool skirt. Her brown eyes sparkled and she fluttered her long eyelashes, “Ah, so you want to be a successful stylish woman like me.”
    “You said it.”
    “Afraid not. Can’t go against the doc on this one. It’s risky.”
    The intercom buzzed.
    “Okay then. At least tell me where to shop.” Robbie kept her gaze fixed on the door. She didn’t want to see Clifton again this afternoon.
    “The Better Half at the Northgate Mall has a great selection.” Nadine gathered her steno pad and strode toward the professor’s office. “Hey, if you’re up for a good time, join my friends and me. We’ll go dancing, and you’ll see women with all kinds of curves out having fun and not sitting alone on a Friday.”
    “Can I wear my disguise?”
    “Only if you’re sure you’re in shape to dance all night.” Nadine shrugged her shoulders and did a little hip roll before opening Professor Clifton’s office door.
    Robbie couldn’t help but smile as she stepped into the student hustle and bustle and closed the door behind her.
    In the corridor, students were pushing toward their next class, while she untangled her MP3 player ear buds. Her progress was stopped short when her nose smashed up against a black leather jacket. Two hands gripped her shoulders and held her steady. Their warmth seeped through her fleece jacket. She blinked rapidly to clear tears caused from the pain of her crushed nose.
    Brown eyes leveled an all-encompassing gaze on her face.
    Oh no, here it comes. He’s going to recognize me from this morning. I’m supposed to stay out of his way, not plow into him, then stand and stare at whiskers on his chin.
    “Are you hurt?” he asked.
    She wriggled her nose. “It’s bruised but not broken.”
    Jake Proctor studied her for a minute before nodding. “I’m glad. A nose is a necessary thing.”
    She felt, rather than saw students, rush past them. He set her away from him and pressed a folded tissue into her palm.
    While she fumbled with the tissue and juggled the wires, she heard him say, “Dr. Jake Proctor. You were waiting in Dr. Clifton’s office earlier, weren’t you? I recognize your jacket. The color reminded me of a place I’ve been recently.”
    She nodded and before she thought of a response, she heard Clifton’s voice from down the hallway. “Jake, you’re still here. Come meet Lynn. We’re going for coffee.”
    “I’ll make sure this student’s okay first.” When he spoke his breath sifted through her hair and for a moment she felt safe, protected against whatever would come her way. It was as if he were a