Her teasing was a little too accurate for his liking, but he gave no sign that what she said was true. She wouldn't be seeing his other bruises, and with any luck there wouldn't be any contact with those areas that resulted in pain. Besides, it could have been a lot worse and he knew it.
"In that case, if anyone else asks I'll just tell them I was defending a fine young woman's honor from a terrible ruffian, and if they think I look bad they should take a look at him." All thoughts of the threatening note and possible surveillance vanished from his mind, because they weren't in the building any longer. Sometimes that place really did feel like a whole different world.
Cole knew that there was a popular coffee shop near the school, La Croquembouche or something, but he also knew that some of his students went there. He didn't mention that, though, instead opting for one closer to the downtown centre without being too much of a walk. It wasn't too cold, considering how it had been the last few days, but he still wondered if she was warm enough. "Do you? Well, I must be doing something right." He couldn't help but feel a little more protective as they walked, considering what had happened the evening before. "You look really nice, by the way."