“Maybe I’ll see you later?” I offer.
His eyes brighten slightly, his smile softening around the edges. “Yeah? You promise?”
I nod. “Promise.”
His grin grows, and he gives my hand a quick squeeze before stepping back. “I’ll hold you to that.”
I watch him disappear through the door, his silhouette slipping into the shadows of the hallway. When he’s gone, I swear I can still feel the warmth of his hand pressed against mine.
As soon as the door closes behind him, Harper nudges me. “He’s even cuter than I remember.”
I shake my head, laughing. “You’re a menace.”
She sips her coffee, unbothered. “You’re welcome.”
We’re passing by the Children’s ministry area, almost tothe sanctuary doors when we hear raised voices near the corner of the check-in area.
“I don’t want to!”
Harper and I both pause and turn just in time to see a little boy, probably five or six, tear around the corner, tears streaming down his face.
Harper’s eyes widen. “That’s one of my students from last year.”
Before I can respond, she’s already moving.
Harper drops to her knees without hesitation and he runs straight into her arms like she’s the only safe place in the world.
“Hey, buddy,” she says gently. “What’s going on?”
He clutches her like he’s been lost for hours. “I—I didn’t know where my dad went.”
“He just walked you to your room, right?” she soothes, rubbing his back. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”
Micah approaches from the opposite hallway, cautious but concerned. “Hey, is he with you?”
Harper stands, one hand still on the boy’s shoulder. “He’s one of my students, I teach Kindergarten at the local elementary school.”
He furrows his brow. “Okay, but you can’t just take him out of the room. I didn’t see a name tag on you. We have policies for a reason.”
“I didn’t take him,” Harper says, defensive now. “He ran to me. And I’m not trying to sneak him out, I’m trying to help.”
Micah crosses his arms, skeptical. “I get that, but without a background check on file, you can’t just…”
“I have a background check,” she snaps. “It’s literally required to work in the school system.”
He raises an eyebrow. “And I’m just supposed to take your word on that?”
I try not to laugh. Harper’s jaw drops, offended in that Harper way that’s a perfect mix of sass and disbelief.
“You seriously think I’m lying about being a teacher?” she asks.
He doesn’t answer. Just shrugs one shoulder.
Luckily the classroom volunteer appears, calling for the boy, who now seems perfectly content with a cup of animal crackers and a sticker.
Harper exhales, tension still riding high, but she turns back to Micah.
“Fine. Where do I go to fill out your precious background check?”
