“Oh yeah, and why’s that?”
I worry my bottom lip between my teeth as I chance a glance at him before I go back to my screen. “Got dinner plans with my neighbors.”
“Fucking hell, Troublemaker. Why didn’t you just say? We leaving now, or do you need a few minutes?”
“I need about twenty, and… wait, you aren’t coming.”
“Why?”
“Why what? You weren’t invited.”
Both palms flat on the desk surface, he leans in close. “They going to have enough food for more than just you all?”
“Ah, probably.”
“They going to care that you brought a guest?”
“No?”
“You asking or telling, darlin’?”
I shake my head and push my chair back to get away from that damn spell of his. “Telling. They won’t care. They’d probably be thrilled.” I really meant to say that last part in my head, but when I see him cheesing, I groan out loud at my big mouth. “But that’s beside the point.”
“No, it ain’t. Now get to working so we can go eat. I’m hungry.”
I open my mouth, but he’s quick to pinch my lips closed. “Nope. Work now, talk later.”
I grumble a bit, but he can’t understand with my lips still pinched shut. I glare, but only when I stop trying to talk does he take his hand away.
“Got a call to make, babe. Give me a second, will you?” He talks too fast for me to even get my mouth open before I glare at him as he makes his call. I’m not so put out by his own invite that I’d interrupt his phone call. Especially once I hear what he says.
“Hey, Paul, it’s Stalone. Yeah, man, you too. Look, I just talked to a bunch of kids about the military, and a few might stop by.”
The grin he gives me lets me know he’s doing this on purpose. Either to shut me up or just because he actually cares about my kids, it doesn’t matter. In the end, he wins. He calls several people, all who I assume are recruiters, as he says the same thing to each one, while I get my work done.
“Ready?”
I nod as I gather my bags. Who knew that once you become a teacher, you have more bookbags than half the class? Granted, it isn’t “cool” to actually use a bag anymore to carry your things. No, apparently the “in” thing is to walk around with just a pen, maybe a notebook. Nothing else. Not even your homework. Which is half the reason I stopped giving out assignments that require them to do anything beyond just bring in ideas for something to work on in class for whatever the topic of the week is.
I try not to strut, but I can’t help it. I have a hot younger man—a biker, even—grabbing my bags and walking with me down the hall. I know I’m out of high school, even if I teach at one, but this might be the coolest moment of my life. I see a few heads poke out of classrooms to watch us, and thankfully, none of them are Carolyn and Troy. But honestly, even if I saw them, I doubt they could damper my mood right now. Reese made it super clear that he has no interest in the wicked witch who made my life hell when I was younger—and still tries to now that we’re older.
I felt like freaking Cinderella when he looked only at me and not her. I love that part in the movie, when the prince is being introduced to the ugly stepsisters, who are overlooked as he runs away at first glance to meet Cinderella. I might be a closet Disney freak, but no one can deny that that part was romantic. I liked it when I was four, and I still like it at thirty-four.
“See you tomorrow, honey,” Janet calls out, and I honestly don’t know if she’s talking to me or Reese with the wink she sends his way.
I wave but look over at him and smirk. He’s blushing, and I laugh.
“Seems you’re a big hit with the older ladies.”
“Only one I’m interested in,” he says as he holds the door for me, and I laugh again softly.
I’m getting used to his one-liners, and instead of them making me freeze, thinking I misheard him, I’m enjoying the lightness it brings. Maybe all my insecurities are finally shedding themselves, like a snake with its skin. If I can find joy in him saying he only wants me as his old lady, then maybe I’ll finally be free of that scared little girl crying in the corner, afraid no man will ever love her enough to be fully with her.
As I walk to my car, I eye his bike that’s parked next to it. It’s too tempting to ask for another ride, but I have too much stuff and need my car in the morning for work.
“I’ll follow you.”
I nod as I get in, but the door won’t shut. I look over and find a grinning Gator holding it. And yes, it’s Gator and not Reese, as his smile is all teeth, reminding me of a freaking alligator.
