He shrugged. “It’s leftovers from the café. I figured the class would play better without hungry stomachs.”
Spoken like a true parent. God, he was so kind.
“Yo, Mr. Hansen brought free food?” a student asked, overhearing our conversation.
Felix looked at the stage to several now-curious and hopeful teenagers. “I did.”
“Hey! All right! Let’s hear it for Alan’s dad!” another exclaimed, clapping.
Felix went to the edge of the stage and put the bag down. “It’s some treats from Snowy Ridge, if that’s okay with Mr. Merlin.”
“Mr. Merlin approves,” I said, watching my students descend on the snacks like a pack of animals. “But—hey! Guys, ten minutes and I want you done, crumbs cleaned up, and instruments in hands.”
“This was mighty thoughtful of you, Hansen,” Cass stated.
Felix shrugged. “My son is in band. I knew he wouldn’t be the only hungry kid at this hour.”
I looked at the stage toward the boy in question. Alan was eating some cookies and laughing with a few other students. I wasn’t taking credit for something I knew Alan had inside him all along, but since moving him to first chair, I’d definitely noticed an awkward teen gain a boost of self-confidence, both in his performance and in general interactions with other students. Add to the fact his incredible dad brought free food to ravenous teenagers—that’d make any kid popular.
“The only problem is that now they’ll be expecting the same tomorrow,” I said, giving Felix a grin.
“I may have something else to bring,” he replied.
“Well, don’t bankrupt yourself just because Merlin is getting a little too stressed about our Christmas concert,” Cass said, laughing.
“I think the extra practice is good for the kids,” Felix countered. He stared at Cass with a sort of unflappable expression. The dancing around each other told me they didn’t see eye to eye often, and it’d been going on for longer than Alan had been in high school.
“Have a good night, Hansen,” Cass concluded.
Felix simply nodded in response.
Cass muttered a pleasantry to me as well before he started up the aisle to the front doors of the auditorium.
“Wow, do you not like that guy or something?” I teased under my breath.
Felix ignored the question and instead asked, “Do you want to stay for dinner after driving Alan home tonight?”
“I can’t. I have some composition homework to look over. Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow works.” Felix looked at the students briefly. “Maybe pack an overnight bag?”
Oh, what a tease.
“Nowtonight works.” I laughed.
He smiled. “Tomorrow.”
I took Felix’s gloved hand into mine and squeezed it. I leaned forward and gave his cheek a quick kiss, to the sudden chorus of “Oooh, Mr. M!” coming from the stage. I looked up the aisle to see if Cass had turned at the voices, but by then I’d let go of Felix’s hand, and he was in turn already waving goodbye to the students.
“HOW FUCKINGcute is it?” I asked. I held up my Christmas ornament to the screen of my computer for Scarlet to see. “Look, that’s me and that’s Felix.”
“I still haven’t seen a picture of the guy who’s whisked you off your feet, and you’re practically married to him already.”
“Stop it,” I said, setting the bulb down in its box. I picked up my phone and scrolled through the photos to the one I’d saved last week of Felix and the Christmas tree. “Here he is.” I turned it around and angled it so she could see without a glare.
“Hmm… okay, he’s smokin’.”
“Isn’t he fucking hot?” I turned the phone to look at it myself. “Jesus. He’s so amazing.”
