“That’s okay. I wasn’t doing anything particularly thrilling. End of the year paperwork.” Felix got down and snatched a few stray pieces, took the ones I’d offered, and tapped them neatly into a pile. “Heading back to the high school?”
“Yearbook duty,” I confirmed. “And just as a heads-up to you, I’ve requested the band to stay after school and practice the rest of this week and early next week.”
“Oh?” Felix stood, and I followed. “How’re they doing?”
“Not bad. Not great. The concert is next Thursday.”
Felix smiled. “I’m sure you all will be amazing. I can’t wait.”
“I can drive Alan home after practice, if that would make your life easier.”
“You don’t have to do that,” he insisted. “Besides, I wouldn’t want folks thinking something is going on between us.”
And this was the moment I needed Felix to know Iwasn’tgoing anywhere.
“About that,” I continued. “Enough people have seen us together in the past week that rumors are bound to start in a town this small. Right?”
Felix set all his paperwork on the desk. “Yes,” he admitted. “Probably.”
“So let’s be honest,” I said. “No rumors, just the fact that we’re dating.”
His eyes lit up. “Are you sure? I don’t want to cause any complications for you.”
“Nowhere in my teaching contract or handbook does it say I can’t date a parent. I understand that being a school teacher puts me under the public eye, but if you’re okay with that, so am I. We’re both professional, well-established adults. And I think being straightforward about our relationship will be better for Alan too. He won’t get caught up in any sort of shit.”
“That’s true.”
“What do you say?”
“Sounds good to me.”
I reached out, not intentionally grabbing Felix’s scarred hand, but it happened to be the one closest to me. He jerked back initially, but I held on, and he eased into my hold after a moment. I slid my fingers between his and raised his hand to kiss the top.
“Listen,” I said after a moment. “Alan… this morning… told me about the fire,” I murmured.
Felix’s sweet, blissful expression died a little. “He what?”
I gave his hand a firm squeeze. “Don’t be angry with him.”
“He shouldn’t have told you—it wasn’t his place,” Felix said firmly.
I let go of his hand to take his shoulders. “I know, darling. But he told me because he loves you.”
“I don’t understand.” The lines around Felix’s mouth grew more pronounced as he frowned.
“He says you’re happy right now.”
Felix hesitated. “I-I am.”
“And he didn’t want secrets between us.” I slid my hands up Felix’s neck to cup his face. “I had no idea when I met you that the color of your voice was really a visual manifestation of your heart and soul. Darling, you are so perfect, and so beautiful, that I want to thank Eric in person for being too stupid to see he had heaven in his hands.”
Felix’s eyes started getting glassy, and he looked away.
“Say you believe me.”
His mouth quivered slightly, but Felix smiled and glanced at me again. “I do,” he whispered.
I let go and took a step back. “Then we don’t need to say anything more about it, if you don’t want to.”
