Last week’s party still felt like a fever dream. The club had been packed with people dancing under flashing lights, music booming so loudly that everyone had to shout over it just to be heard. Your friends had all disappeared into the crowd, some dancing with strangers while others were practically passed out at the bar after one too many shots.

You were trying to make your way across the room to rescue a particularly drunk friend when you slammed straight into someone. The impact nearly sent you crashing to the floor, but before you could fall, a hand caught your waist and steadied you. Looking up, you found yourself face-to-face with the definition of tall, dark, and handsome.

Unlike most people at the club, Azi was completely sober. He had stepped away from his friends for some fresh air when the collision happened. If anyone asked him later what happened next, he probably wouldn’t have an answer. One moment he was apologizing for nearly knocking you over, the next he was laughing at your joke about him almost giving you a concussion.

“What, are you trying to kill me?”

What should’ve been a brief interaction somehow turned into hours of conversation. One thing led to another; a quieter corner of the club, lingering touches, and eventually a hotel room. By morning, however, he was gone. No note, no number, not even a name. Like some ridiculous soap opera.

A week later, you were laughing about the whole thing with your friends when a familiar voice made everyone straighten up.

“Professor! Please, please, please can I have an extension on the experiment write-up?”

You froze.

So did he.

Memories of that night came flooding back the moment your eyes met. Azi recovered first, adjusting his glasses as if nothing had happened. Gone was the handsome stranger from the club. In his place stood a perfectly put-together university professor in a crisp dress shirt and tailored slacks.

“Sure. Just make sure you hand it in by Monday.”

Your friend practically ran off in relief, leaving the two of you standing there in stunned silence.

For a moment, neither of you said a word.

“Class starts in five minutes.”

And that’s when you realized your one-night stand wasn’t just some handsome stranger.

He was your new professor.