“They’ll be here most of the time. The girls just started preschool, and Faith wants them to have a routine. I’ll come home every weekend that I’m able.” He takes a breath, and asks, “Now, what can I get for you?”
“In addition to teaching, I’m also coaching basketball,” I explain. “I’d like to pick up an assortment of three dozen cookies for my team.” I figure I’ll go ahead and get them for the boys, too. After all, we do practice with them.
“Cool,” he says. He packages the cookies and hands me the bag. “They’re on the house today.”
“No way,” I tell him. “I’m paying.”
He shakes his head. “We are very community minded here at Rosemary’s, and we like to support the kids. Plus, Faith would kill me if I charged you.”
“Teddy,” I tell him, “I want to come back and get cookies all the time, but I won’t feel comfortable doing that if you don’t charge me.”
He thinks about this for a minute before deciding, “Fine. You can pay, but only half price and that doesn’t start until your next visit.”
Taking the bag from him, I say, “Thank you. I appreciate it and I know the kids will, too. Tell Faith hi for me.”
“Will do!” Before I can leave, he tells me, “You got another delivery today. I left it inside the door to your apartment.”
After thanking him, I walk back outside, wondering which of my new purchases arrived today. I’m looking forward to findingout when I get home. Although, I’m kind of hoping it isn’t more lamps. I’ve gone a little crazy without realizing it.
For now, though, I need to get back to school so I’m not late for my sophomore English class. So far, today is a good day. I seem to have made a new and unexpected friend. My old boss gave me a great deal on cookies, and now I get to go back to school where I will see Noah again.
I suppose he’s also become my friend. While my feelings for him are mixed, as in, there’s part of me that yearns for more than a platonic relationship, I’m still glad to have him back in my life.
Hopefully, in time, I can make him forget what a pathetic fangirl I used to be. The list of ways I embarrassed myself is truly legendary.
Out of nowhere, a startling image pops into my head. It’s of me and Noah posing for a picture like the ones my parents like to have taken. My mouth goes dry at the thought, and I have to force it to go away.
Noah and I are only friends and that’s all there is to it. I repeat this a few times trying to convince myself, but the truth is I wish it was something more.
CHAPTER TWENTY
NOAH
Allie brought cookies to practice today, which was really nice of her. I don’t know why I was surprised that she got enough for everyone, but that’s apparently the kind of woman she is—totally thoughtful.
While the team practices dribbling drills, I call Jordan over for a chat. He’s a good-looking kid with his wavy blond hair and brown eyes. He’s also one of the few naturally talented kids here. In fact, if we do better this season, he might have some prospects to play ball in college, even if it’s just for a division three school.
“What’s up, Coach?” Jordan stops in front of me with a confused expression on his face.
“I’ve been hearing things around school,” I tell him.
Before I can finish my sentence, his shoulders slump low. “About me and Margie?”
“Yeah.”
“Look, Coach, I don’t want any of that to get in my way of playing ball. I promise we’re taking care of things.”
I can see he’s defensive, and that’s not what I’m after. “I heard you and Margie broke up.”
He looks down at his shoes guiltily before saying, “She wants to have the baby. I don’t.”
“How are your parents taking it?”
With a loud sigh, he confesses, “They don’t know yet. Or if they do, they haven’t mentioned it to me.”
“Don’t you think you should tell them?” I ask. “From what I’ve been able to gather, most of the high school already knows. You don’t want them to find out from someone else.”
Jordan shifts nervously from side-to-side. “That’s the thing, though. Everyone knows and they haven’t said anything to me yet.Ifthey know, they probably just want the problem to go away so they never have to talk to me about it.”
