Like, actually forget.
It isn’t because I’m scared.
I mean, yes, he has a dangerous air about him. The kind that makes every survival instinct sit up and ask if we should be concerned.
And it isn’t because I find him attractive.
Although, for the record, I absolutely do.
Painfully so.
It’s more than that.
I feel caught in his gaze. Held there. Trapped in one of those strange, impossible moments where the world tilts just slightly, and some quiet part of you knows nothing is going to be the same after it passes.
Dramatic?
Yes.
Accurate?
Unfortunately, also yes.
“We do indeed have a large family,” Mr. Moretti says to my daughter, though his eyes stay locked on mine. “What’s the name of your sanctuary, Ms. Moore?”
Words.
I know them.
I know how to use them.
I’ve been wording my whole life.
“I think her brain’s stuck,” my daughter says helpfully. “It’s called Moore’s Second Chance Sanctuary. We have lots of different animals, but sometimes they die because their owners are mean to them. Like how stupid Eric and his stupid face was mean to my friend.”
That snaps me out of it.
“Sorry,” I mutter, heat rushing into my cheeks. “Um, yes. You’re all more than welcome to come. It starts at nine tomorrow morning and will last most of the day.”
“Mama says we can take turns riding some of the horses and help get Bobcat Billie’s food ready,” Livy adds. “But we can’t go near her. She’s blind and very mean. She always hisses at me when she hears me coming. But I think it’s because she’s scared.”
“Honey, even if she wasn’t blind, she would still hiss,” I say with a small chuckle. “She’s wild, remember? Not a house pet.”
“Excuse me,” the principal cuts in. “Did we forget what this meeting was about? I’m going to have to ask you to take your daughter and leave, Ms. Moore.”
“Yes, we’ll be going,” Mr. Moretti says.
“Oh, not you,” the principal says quickly. “Sabrina didn’t do anything. She’s allowed to stay.”
“What about Eric?” I ask. “Are his parents on their way to pick him up?”
“We watched the camera feed, and Eric never touched anyone,” she says. “But that’s all I can discuss with you since you’re not family. Come on, Sabrina. I’ll take you back to class.”
Sabrina’s small body stiffens.
Mr. Moretti’s expression doesn’t change.
But the air in the room does.
