Em smiled at him once more before telling the line leader to start walking toward the cafeteria. Her students were quiet and orderly as they walked down the halls. Was she the kind of teacher who ruled with an iron fist? Grant didn’t think so; she was too playful, too sweet.
“I usually eat in the teacher’s lounge since we have staff members that monitor lunches, but I think the kids would love it if you ate in the cafeteria.”
“Will you be in there?”
“Or course. I wouldn’t just throw you to the wolves like that.”
“It’s good to know you’ve got my back,” he said, swinging his good foot in front of him for another step. He hated that he still wasn’t completely steady on his crutches and hoped Em didn’t notice.
“Don’t get too excited, it gets really loud in there.”
“And Storm games don’t?”
“Good point.”
Grant kept stealing glances at Em as they walked toward the cafeteria. How was it possible that she kept getting more beautiful every time he saw her? He debated telling her that as the students filed through the doors before them but lost his chance when another adult joined them.
It was Frida, and she had a sly smile on her face. Her voice had a sing-song quality to it as she greeted them. “How’s it going?”
A blush creeped up Em’s neck.
Interesting.
“Just fine. Why aren’t you in the teacher’s lounge, Ms. Hall?” she said through clenched teeth.
“Oh? So, I’m Ms. Hall now?”
“You’re right, you’re acting childish, so I definitely shouldn’t call you that.”
Frida stuck her tongue out and earned an eye roll from Em.
Grant couldn’t help but laugh at their interaction. It reminded him so much of his relationship with his sister.
“You are not allowed to laugh, Mr. Vaughn.”
Grant wiggled his eyebrows at Frida. “Looks like I still get to keep my grownup title.”
Em glared at him, though the twitch of her mouth softened it. “You know what? Just for that, I should let Frida babysit you and go enjoy a quiet lunch in the teachers’ lounge—by myself.”
“No,” Grant and Frida said in unison.
Em’s eyes went back and forth between them. “Now I’m thinking I definitely need to go do that.”
Frida put her arm over Em’s shoulders. “If anyone is going to the teachers’ lounge, it’s me. I’m just not cut out for the lunchroom. But enjoy youryummylunch for me.”
Grant’s pulse picked up at the look shared between the two women. When Em’s blush returned, the warm rush of victory flooded into him:hewas the yummy.
Even though Frida had to know all about Em’s no-dating-players rule, he couldn’t help but enjoy knowing that he could get Em all flustered. It was only fair since she had the same effect on him.
“I’ll see you guys later,” Frida said with a small wave over her shoulder and left.
Once she was gone, the line seemed to move impossibly slower, and without Frida as a buffer between them, Grant was suddenly unsure of how to act with Em.
“I want to thank you again for stopping that ball.”
Grant released a breath, thankful she’d broken the awkward silence between them. “You’re welcome.”
“I’m glad you got to look like a hero in front of the kids today.” She grabbed both their trays. “But I hate that you might have made your ankle worse.”
