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“Fuck,” Jaden shouts, and his eyes dart to mine.
“Sorry.” He scrunches his face, then bends down to pick up the utensils he dropped. Candace rushes to his aid before I can come from behind my desk. I clench my jaw and grind my teeth as she places her hand on his back, while collecting the few items on the floor for him.
My entire body stiffens, filling with jealousy. I check my watch and see I have a few minutes before the desserts will be done, so I push back my chair and step out of the classroom; into the hallway. Leaning against the cool tile wall, I breathe deep and talk to myself.
Get a fucking grip, Blaire. You can talk with him when the school year ends. You can figure something out. Just get your ass together.
I slap my cheeks and return to the classroom.
Jaden’s eyebrows lift when he sees me walk behind my desk. His head tilts and he mouths, “Are you okay?”
I nod, then open my laptop and begin to make more notes. But I’m not okay. I won’t be okay until I find a way to be with Jaden again. Maybe it’s time for me to rethink my future as a teacher. Maybe it’s time to do something new and different.
The oven timers all sound simultaneously, and I’m brought out of my thoughts and back to my class. My students retrieve their dessert from the ovens.
I join them and say, “All these delicious aromas are making me hungry. How about y’all?” I glance around the half circle as they place their finished desserts on the tables.
“Me too,” Angela speaks first, licking her lips.
“I can’t wait to taste each one.” Bob rubs his hands together, looking around at all his classmates’ desserts.
“We’ll give them about ten minutes to cool off. While we wait, Candace, will you, Bob, and Samantha set the table for everyone?”
“Yes, Miss Turner.” She glances at Jaden, then trails her hand across his arm.
I clear my throat and cross my arms under my breasts, staring at her. The pulse in my neck throbs and my ears heat with jealousy.
I want her away from him. How in the world will I make it through another year of teaching her and Jaden as cooking partners? I can’t switch them. Jaden can’t ask for a new partner; it would make things uncomfortable, and Candace would become suspicious.
I’m going to have to suck it up and pretend she isn’t a threat to me.
Because she’s not. Jaden wants me.
I shake my head to quiet my inner voice.
When the ten-minute timer sounds, I clap my hands and announce, “Alright everyone. Let’s enjoy these delicious desserts y’all have made.”
I take my seat at the head of the long rectangle table. I watch Candace sit at the other end. She pats the chair next to her as she smiles at Jaden. He walks around the back of my chair, trailing his hand along the frame of the chair. His fingers glide over my shirt, my clit throbs, and I close my eyes. He sits next to Candace and glances my way, smiling.
“Okay. Let’s eat,” I say and begin with Bob’s apple cobbler.
We spend the next half hour tasting each of the ten desserts and cleaning up. Each dish was prepared to perfection.
As my students collect their backpacks and purses, I walk over to Jaden.
“Would you mind staying after class? I’d like to catch you up on what you missed.”
He looks around the classroom, then back at me. He shrugs, then the corner of his lips tug upward.
“Sure.”
Back at my desk, I stand with my hands clasped together.
“Congratulations everyone. Your desserts were absolutely scrumptious. I’ll see you all next time. Have a great day.” I wave my arm for my students to leave.
Once they’ve all left the classroom, I walk toward the door. Opening it, I check the hallway to be sure no one is lurking and waiting for Jaden.
He stands beside my desk, his blue eyes fixated on my chest. I go behind my desk and sit in my chair. Waking my laptop, I click on his name and go down the list of assignments he missed.
