Count to three: My affair with my dynamics professor (teacher x student)

Chapter 33

She turned back toward the window, her profile composed, unreadable, as the skyline receded behind them.

The car hummed steadily along the highway, the low thrum of the engine filling the quiet between them. Inés rested her elbow against the door, her fingers lightly touching her chin, her mind already calculating the hours ahead.

Kristoffer shifted, glancing sideways at her. His voice was casual, almost idle, when he said, "By the way... The boys wants to visit you in two weeks. They asked me to ask you."

Something softened at the edges of Inés' mouth—a tiny, involuntary smile.

"Did they?" she murmured, her voice a touch warmer without meaning to.

"Said they're missing your cooking. And that you make better pancakes than I do."

Inés gave a small, almost silent laugh, the kind that lived mostly in her eyes. "That's because I do."

He smiled faintly, watching her without pushing.

For a moment, the years peeled back between them, and the quiet in the car grew lighter, almost companionable.

Inés let her head fall gently against the headrest, her coat collar brushing her jawline. "I'll them they're both welcome," she said. "It's been too long since they've been here anyways"

Kristoffer only nodded, a quiet satisfaction in his posture, like he had managed to pull her a little further away from whatever thoughts had been weighing her down.

After a moment, he added, a little more lightly, "I miss your cooking too, you know."

Inés turned her head slightly toward him, one eyebrow lifting in a dry, amused arc. "Mm," she said. "Well, I miss you winterizing my outdoor taps."

Kristoffer let out a low, genuine laugh, tipping his head back against the seat. "That's a very random thing to miss."

She shrugged, the corner of her mouth tugging up. "You were good at it. I never had to think about it."

He glanced at her, still smiling, the easy kind of smile that only surfaced when they weren't trying too hard. "Is there anything else you miss?" he asked, half teasing, half curious, like he wasn't sure if he wanted to know the answer.

Inés turned her gaze back out the window, watching the streaks of cloud scattered across the pale morning sky. For a second, she didn't answer. Then, her voice came, even but a touch quieter.

"Maybe," she said simply, her tone making it clear she wasn't going to list them.

Kristoffer didn't push. He just nodded again, his smile lingering a little longer before he turned his own gaze out the front windshield, the car cruising steadily toward the airport and everything waiting for them there.

The car slowed as they approached the airport, the sleek modern structure rising in the distance. Kristoffer's driver navigated smoothly toward the private entrance for high-status passengers, where a dedicated staff member was waiting to usher them inside.

Inés glanced over at Kristoffer, who was already adjusting his shirt and smoothing his hair, the effortless confidence of a man who had spent years in the world of business travel. They stepped out of the car together, Inés' luggage in hand, but as always, Kristoffer made it clear he wasn't going to let her carry anything.

"I'll take that," he said, his voice light as he reached for her bag, a subtle command hidden in the casual tone.

Inés raised an eyebrow but let him take it, the familiar tug of annoyance mixed with the slight pleasure of not having to deal with it herself. "What am I supposed to carry, then?" she asked, adjusting her coat and brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"Your pretty face, of course," he said with a smirk.

Inés rolled her eyes, unable to suppress the small smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. She shot him a sideways glance, not wanting to indulge too much, but feeling the warmth of the moment anyway. "You're so generous," she replied dryly.

Kristoffer chuckled, his footsteps steady and purposeful as they walked toward the terminal entrance. "You know I try." His tone had a subtle playfulness to it now, and Inés couldn't quite resist the comfort of it.

They bypassed the main lines, walking straight into the VIP area with ease. As they moved past the check-in counter and into the lounge, Inés took a breath, the speed and routine of it all reminding her how much she had gotten used to this life—her life, now intertwined with Kristoffer's in ways that made moments like this feel ordinary, even if she didn't fully feel at home in it anymore.

As they sat in the VIP lounge, waiting for the call to board, Kristoffer leaned back in his armchair and stretched his legs out. "I still don't understand how you don't like flying. You've been doing it for so long."

Inés smirked, her eyes on the sleek magazines and quiet conversations around them. "Maybe because I don't have to do it three times a week like you."

Kristoffer chuckled, but there was an edge of nostalgia in his voice. "You used to travel with me all the time. Maybe you miss it a little?"

She met his eyes, the teasing spark not quite fading from her expression. "Maybe. Just don't expect me to start enjoying your constant air miles benefits."

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough that only she could hear. "If you ever want to, I can teach you how to enjoy it."

Inés raised an eyebrow at him, her amusement at the situation still apparent. She didn't respond directly, she didn't need to.

Before long, the call to board came, and they were off to their gate, Kristoffer still in charge of her luggage, and Inés following him in this field where she still didn't feel truly comfortable.

They made their way toward the gate, the final boarding call flashing quietly across the monitors. Kristoffer, carrying both their bags with ease, offered his free arm to Inés without even thinking. She hesitated for a second, but then slid her hand through the crook of his elbow, her fingers resting lightly against the soft fabric of his suit jacket.

It was a small gesture — automatic, almost — but somehow it felt heavier than it should have.

Kristoffer glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, a crooked, knowing smile tugging at his mouth. "Careful," he murmured under his breath. "People might think you still like me."

Inés snorted softly, the sound almost hidden by the low hum of the terminal around them. "Keep carrying my bags and I might let them believe it," she replied, her voice dry but undeniably fond.

He chuckled, pleased, and they moved forward together, the easy rhythm of old habits sliding back into place. As they reached the boarding gate, a member of the crew greeted them warmly, scanning their boarding passes.

"Good morning! Heading to Malmö today?" the attendant asked with a bright smile.

"Yes," Kristoffer answered smoothly, shifting the bags in his hand. He smiled, that polished, charming look he wore like a second skin. "With my wife."

Inés didn't even flinch — she only tightened her hand slightly on his arm, a silent communication only he would catch. She offered the attendant a polite smile and let the comment slide as naturally as if it had always been true.

The attendant smiled back, handing them their passes and travel documents back. "Lovely. You're welcome to board now — enjoy your flight."

Kristoffer guided her forward with a gentle nudge of his elbow. As they stepped onto the jet bridge, he dipped his head closer to hers, his voice low and teasing. "See? Still a good team when we need to be."

Inés tilted her head, a faint smirk on her lips. "Don't let it go to your head, Åström."

He hummed, the sound low and pleased, and for a moment, as they boarded the plane side by side, it felt almost easy — two people who knew exactly how to play the part, and maybe, just maybe, still remembered the script a little too well.