She grimaces. “Those boys are still bothering him?”
I nod, curling my hands into fists. “I wish I could kick their teenage a—hi, Ryan. Are you all set with your books?”
He nods. “Were you just going to say a curse word, Ms. King?”
“No, not at all.” I scoff, feigning innocence. “Cursing is bad. I would never, and you shouldn’t either.”
Dominique stifles a laugh as she turns around.
Ryan’s eyes flick to my arms. “My mom says you have too many tattoos to work in a school. But I like them. They’re pretty.”
Your mom can take the stick out of her ass and go fuck herself with it, buddy.
I plaster on a fake smile. “Thanks, kid.”
I scan his books, and check out the rest of the class’s books before their library period is over.
“We’re still on for drinks after dinner tonight, right?” Dominique asks as she holds open the door for her class.
“Yes.” My shoulders slump forward. “I need a girls’ night like you have no idea.”
“Janelle is so excited for Avery and Alyssa to come over.”
I smile. “Alyssa already has a giant bag of games packed. And I told Avery I’d pay him to babysit, so he’s also excited.”
A little bribery never hurt anyone.
Dominique laughs. “See you later, boo.”
Excitement courses through me. One night a month, my niece and nephew babysit Dominique’s seven-year-old while she and I have a couple of drinks. It only lasts two hours max, but it’s the one night a month I get to feel like myself a little bit. Not the legal guardian who spends all her free time doing laundry and cleaning up after two teenagers; not the young adult who was thrown into an unfortunate situation she wasn’t prepared for and missed out on half of her college years; and not the prim-and-proper school librarian who can’t say curse words or show off her tattoos without getting scrutinized.
I’ve had to repress so much of who I am, and forget about who I’d once wanted to be. And I’d make the same choices all over again if it meant being here to raise and protect my sister’s kids. But I can’t pretend that it hasn’t been difficult.
So, tonight, I get to have a little fun.
Just one night.
“I always forgethow hot you are.”
I cough out an incredulous laugh. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
Dominique shrugs. “I’m just saying, you’re all covered up like this innocent little school librarian. Then we come outand you’re dressed up likethis, and it takes me a minute to remember you’re a fucking smoke show.”
“Sometimes I forget how hot I am too.” I gesture to my tits. “Seriously, do you know when these babies last saw the light of day aside from in the shower?”
She pokes my cleavage. “Such a shame. They’re so perky.”
I glance down at her index finger touching my boobs. “And this is the most action I’ve gotten in an embarrassingly long time.”
Dominique laughs before lifting her martini to her lips. “That’s your own fault. You know you can have any guy you want within a ten-mile radius.”
I’m shaking my head before she even finishes her sentence. “I can’t deal with that right now.”
“I know it’d be hard when you’re home with the kids every night, but you know I’d watch them if you wanted to go on a date every once in a while.”
“I know you would, and I appreciate that.”
“But...?”
