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Completely unlikely.
Despite our proclamation that we were breaking up, we left the school and went back to his house. It was the middle of a workday and everything felt wrong. I was supposed to be in the middle of fourth period doing everything in my power to inspire my students to love reading or writing or even thinking. Instead, I sat at Jake’s kitchen island as he poured me a cup of coffee and revealed his aforementioned plan.
"Jake, I love you, but that's crazy," I said, shaking my head. "Valerie may be a lot of things, but this just doesn’t sound like her. In all the other scenarios, she was the victim. In this situation, she’s been anonymous and if there is anything I’ve learned about Valerie, it’s that she wants to get your attention or make other people think she has your attention."
Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair before grabbing his own mug to fill. "I know it sounds far-fetched but think about it. Who else would know about that stupid rule and who else would have a motive to break us up?"
I rolled my eyes, my hands gripped tightly on the hot mug, even though it was too hot to do for long. "Uh, how about your crazy ex-wife? Come on, Jake, it's obvious that Natasha's behind this. She's probably cackling over her success into her morning mimosa as we speak."
Jake's shoulders slumped, and frustration hardened his features. "Maybe you're right. But even if it is Natasha, we can't prove it without some kind of evidence."
I threw my hands up in the air, exasperated. "So, what? We're just supposed to sit back and let her win? Let the school board dictate our lives like we're a couple of naughty teenagers sneaking around behind our parents' backs?"
Jake's eyes lit up, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Actually, that's exactly what we're going to do."
I blinked, not sure I'd heard him right. "Excuse me?"
He took my hands in his, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made my knees go weak. "Molly, I love you. And I'm not going to let anyone, not Natasha or the school board or anyone else, come between us. So, if we have to sneak around for a little while and lay low until this all blows over, then that's what we'll do."
I stared at him, my mouth hanging open like a fish out of water. "You want us to... to what? Have some sort of secret affair? Jake, that's insane. We're adults, not characters in a romance novel."
He chuckled, pulling me into his arms. "I know it's not ideal, but it's the only way we can be together, at least for now. Besides, think of how exciting it'll be. Stolen kisses, secret rendezvous under the cloak of darkness... It'll be like we're spies on a covert mission."
Despite myself, I couldn't help but laugh. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"
He grinned, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Yeah, but you love me anyway."
I sighed, my anger and frustration slowly giving way to resignation. "Fine. We'll do it your way, but I'm not happy about it."
Jake's smile faltered, his eyes growing serious. "I know and I'm sorry. I never wanted it to come to this. We’ll find a way to make it work. In the meantime, we'll keep looking for proof that Valerie is behind all of this."
I nodded, my jaw set with determination. "Or Natasha,” I insisted, feeling like Valerie was a complete waste of time. “You better believe I'll be looking, and when I find the smoking gun, that woman better watch her back because hell hath no fury like a Molly scorned."
Jake laughed, pulling me in for a kiss that made my toes curl. "That's my girl. Always ready to fight for what's right and make lame literary references while doing it."
“What are we going to tell Hailey?”
His expression grew somber, a mix of anger and sadness flaring in his gaze. "We'll tell her the truth, that the school board is being unfair, and we're working to change that, but in the meantime, we're going to keep on being a family. "
A family. His words made me all giddy. It wasn't like butterflies in my stomach but more like lightening bugs dancing at dusk.
Sure, the situation was far from ideal, and the thought of sneaking around like a couple of hormonal teenagers made me want to gag, but if it meant being with Jake and being a family with him and Hailey, then I was willing to do whatever it took.
I was even willing to channel my inner Nancy Drew and do a little sleuthing of my own. Jake called Hailey home from Amy’s so we could talk. This conversation wasn't going to be easy, but she deserved to know the truth. Or at least, as much of the truth as we could tell her without scarring her for life.
Hailey was upbeat as we went into the living room. She sprawled out on the couch, chattering on about Amelia. Then she seemed to glean something was up, her eyes narrowing as she took in our serious expressions.
"What's going on?" she asked, sitting upright. "You guys look like someone just told you that chocolate is going extinct."
Despite the gravity of the situation, I couldn't help but smirk. I was definitely a good influence on her. Jake sat down beside her, taking her hand in his. "Hailey, we need to talk to you about something important."
Her face fell, worry creasing her brow. "Is everything okay? Is it about the photos?"
"Sort of," Jake said, his voice gentle. "The school board found out about the photos, and they're not happy about it. They've decided to enforce an old rule that says teachers can't date each other."
Hailey's eyes widened, her mouth falling open in shock. "What? That's so stupid! You and Molly are great together. Why would they want to break you up?"
I sat down on her other side, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We don't know, sweetie, and we're going to do everything we can to fight it. In the meantime, though, we're going to have to be a little more careful about how we spend time together."
