“If you’d read my footnotes, you’d—”
He stopped pacing and turned to face her.
“I read the footnotes. None of those sources go as far as you. You’re merely speculating.”
“Merely?” Julia pushed back from her desk. “I found several reputable sources that agree with most of what I say. Professor Marinelli liked my paper.”
“She’s too easy on you.”
Julia’s mouth dropped open. “Too easy? And I suppose you think that Professor Picton invited me to the conference merely out of charity?”
Gabriel’s expression softened. “Of course not. She thinks well of you. But I don’t want you to get up in front of a crowd of senior professors and offer a naïve interpretation. If you’d read my book, you’d—”
“I read your book, Professor Emerson. You only mention the text I’m analyzing in passing. And you naïvely adopt the standard interpretation, without reflecting on whether you should.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed.
“I accept the interpretation that makes sense.” His tone was glacial. “I never naïvely adopt anything.”
Julia stood, huffing in frustration.
“Don’t you want me to have my own ideas? Or do you think I have to repeat what everyone else has already said just because I’m a lowly grad student?”
Gabriel’s face reddened. “I never said that. I was a grad student once, too, if you’ll recall. But I’m not anymore. You could benefit from my experience.”
“Oh, here we go.” Julia threw up her hands in disgust and walked out of the study.
Gabriel followed.
“What do you mean, here we go?”
She didn’t bother turning around.
“You’re just upset that I’m going to disagree with you in public.”
“Bullshit.”
“Bullshit?” She turned around. “Then why are you telling me to change my paper so I fall in line with your book?”
He placed a hand on her arm. “I’m not trying to get you to fall in line. I’m trying to help so that you won’t make a fool—” He stopped abruptly.
“What was that?” She shook off his hand.
“Nothing.”
He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
When he opened his eyes, he appeared calmer. “If you start now, you should be able to rewrite your paper in time for the conference. I can help.”
“I don’t want your help. And I can’t change my thesis. They’ve already published the abstract on the conference website.”
“I’ll call Katherine.” He gave her an encouraging smile. “She’ll understand.”
“No, you won’t. I’m not changing it.”
Gabriel’s lips pressed together into a thin line.
“This is not the time to be stubborn.”
“Oh, yes, it is. It’s my paper!”
“Julianne, listen—”
“You’re worried I’ll make a fool of myself. And embarrass you.”
“I didn’t say that.”
She gave him a look that was wounded if not betrayed. “You just did.”
She stalked into the bedroom, attempting to close the door behind her. His hand shot out, stopping the door.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m trying to get away from you.”
“Julianne, stop.” He gazed around helplessly. “We can talk about this.”
“No, we can’t.” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “I’m not your student anymore. I’m allowed to have my own ideas.”
“That isn’t what I was saying at all.”
She ignored him and walked toward the bathroom.
“Julianne, damn it. Stop!” he bellowed from the doorway.
She whirled around.
“Don’t yell at me!”
He held his hands up in an expression of surrender and drew a deep breath.
“I’m sorry. Let’s sit down and talk.”
“I can’t talk to you right now without saying something I’ll regret. And you obviously need to cool down.”
“Where are you going?”
“To the bathroom. I’m locking the door and I’m going to avoid you for the rest of the day. If you don’t leave me alone, I’m going to my dad’s.”
Gabriel winced. She hadn’t stayed with her father since before they were married.
“How would you get there?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Don’t worry, I won’t leave you without a car. I’ll call a cab.”
“There aren’t any cabs in town. You’ll have to call one in Sunbury.”
Julia glared. “I know that, Gabriel. I used to live here, remember? You must really think I’m an idiot.”
She walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Gabriel heard the lock click into place.
He paused for a moment before knocking on the door. “Rachel, Aaron, and Richard are arriving soon. What will I tell them?”
“Tell them I’m an idiot. Obviously.”
“Julianne, just listen to me. Please.”
He heard water running from behind the door.
“Fine!” He shouted. “Avoid me. Our first fight and you lock yourself in the God damned bathroom.” He smacked his palm against the door.
Abruptly, the water shut off.