Page 17 of Finding Happily Ever After
“Because to be a teacher,” she started, “and a high school teacher specifically…” She looked over her shoulder a little before turning back to him and continuing. “You have to be in a high school.”
He didn’t get it. Aiden shook his head in confusion. “But you’reina high school right now.”
“True.” Natalie reached past him to grab the leftover first-aid manuals.
Her arm brushed his and the innocent touch sparked a flood of images in his brain that were far from innocent. He forced himself to focus on what she was saying.
“Up until last week,” she said, “I swore I’d never set foot in another high school again.” She looked him straight in the eyes. “Ever.”
“Ahh. Because you didn’t have a good time in high school.” He remembered when she’d mentioned that.”
She pointed a finger at him. “Nailed it.”
“I know you said that, but…you havenogood memories? What about a school dance? Everyone has a good dance experience.”
She laughed hard but there was no humor in it. “Especiallynot a dance.” She shook her head. “Without going into details, let’s just say my high school experience was probably the exact opposite of yours.”
He shook his head. “It just doesn’t make any sense, though.”
“Why is that?” She crossed her arms over her chest, pushing her breasts up and together in a way that strained the T-shirt she wore.
Aiden was positive that she had no idea she was doing it, but the simple action had his heart racing. And if he wasn’t careful, other parts of his body would be reacting in a moment, too.
“Is it because I’m blonde?” she asked. “I mean, I look like—”
“A cheerleader,” he finished for her. Damn, if she’d been a cheerleader at one of his hockey games when he was younger, he would have been in trouble. The fact that they didn’t have cheerleaders at hockey games didn’t seem to matter. “But no,” he said quickly. “I mean, yes. You look like you could have been a cheerleader, but that’s not what I meant. I mean, just because you’re blonde and beautiful, it doesn’t guarantee that your high school experience will be a good one.” He shrugged. “I’ve been a teacher long enough to know that it’s hard for everyone from time to time. And…well, I guess…I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” She tilted her head in question. “What are you sorry for? It wasn’t your fault high school was awful for me. We didn’t even know each other.”
But maybe if they had…
It was a ridiculous thought. Still, something about Natalie made him want to fix things for her. Not that she needed him to fix anything, but if he could…he would.
“I don’t know,” he tried to explain. “I guess, as a teacher myself and a kid who mostly had a good school experience, I feel like it’s my duty to change your mind about how great high school can be.”
She shook her head with a laugh. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I’d settle for a hand out to my truck with all this for today.”
“You know,” Natalie said when the last of the dummies were stowed carefully in the back of the truck, “this was actually a lot of fun. And even though I don’t have a lot of positive things to say about my own high school experience, I think it could have been different if I’d gone to school with kids like your students. They’re actually pretty great.”
She saw the way Aiden pulled his shoulders back a little and how his smile grew even broader on his handsome face. He cared about his students. It was clear to see. As was the pride he had in them.
“They’re awesome kids,” he agreed. “I’m pretty lucky to be their teacher.”
“Wow.”
“What?” He crossed his arms, a simple move that directed all of her focus and attention to his biceps that strained against his cotton button-down shirt. Despite the brisk day, he hadn’t worn a jacket outside, but he didn’t seem bothered by the cold.
It was a small detail, but one Natalie couldn’t help but be grateful for because, as much as she knew she probably shouldn’t, she couldn’t help but stare at him. Aiden had the body of an athlete. There didn’t seem to be an ounce of unnecessary flesh on him. Even fully clothed—whoa. Where had that thought come from? As if he would evernotbe fully clothed around her. That would imply…what? What would that imply?
That she wanted him? That she was incredibly attracted to him in a way that she could honestly say she’dneverbeen before? In fact, Natalie hadneverhad such—I-hardly-know-you-but-I-could-rip-your-clothes-off-right-now—feelings before.Ever.
“Nothing,” she said quickly as she blew out the air in her lungs and had to look away. “It’s just…” She turned back to him and looked him straight in his dark coffee-colored eyes that took her breath away. “You do know how lucky those kids are to have you, right?”
It wasn’t her imagination that the tips of his ears darkened with the compliment. She’d embarrassed him. But nothing she’d said wasn’t true.
“Well,” Aiden said after a moment. “I appreciate the compliment.”
They stood in silence for what was dangerously approaching an awkward moment. Natalie needed to get going. She still had to return the dummies to the station house before running home for a quick shower and change. Katie Banks had invited her out for a girls night at the local pub and she was ridiculously excited—and equally nervous about it. But still, she didn’t want to leave Aiden.
