Blake says, “Cecilia, you’ve been called to the principal’s office.”
“What?” Trena’s voice is faint behind me. Then she snickers and a second later a softer laugh joins hers, Ofelia—Mandy. I love that she’s fitting in with us.
I love even more that they’re here. Work isn’t a cop-out for them.
And the thing I love the most… they’re doing this in front of everyone. In front of people who know Henry. Word will get back to him for sure.
There’s not an ounce of hesitation in Lennox’s glasses-wearing face.
My heart is so full I could explode. And my shock left me unable to go to them, so now they’re towering over me.
I run with the role play. “But I didn’t do anything wrong?” A last-minute thought crosses my mind. I point at Trena. “I swear it was her. She did it.”
Lennox holds up an index card. “Not according to the detention slip.”
I bust out laughing and grab what I expect to be a blank card.
There’s writing. They went all out. Made it look like a form and even signed it.
I stare at the neatly printed line,Reason for detention:
There are three bullet points listed. In messy handwriting, the first reason given is:Caught stealing hearts.
In different handwriting, the second reason is:Caught having so much fun she broke through Lennox’s grumpy façade.
Then in the first handwriting:Running around the playground without panties and encouraging others to do the same.
The weight of Trena’s hand on my shoulder is followed by a deep belly laugh, something she rarely does. She snatches the card from me and huddles with Mandy as they both crack up.
Trena whispers in my ear. “Please leave before everyone in the diner witnesses you getting spanked.”
The guys get serious for a minute and make sure it’s okay to steal me away. No one objects.
As I walk out the door with them, Bev catches my eye. “Does this mean you’re calling out tomorrow?” She sips her coffee like nothing’s amiss.
“She might be subject to a full suspension,” Blake barely finishes saying before laughing.
Bev chokes, sputters coffee, and offers napkins to the customer in front of her.
When we get outside, I say, “You know, people who aren’t aware of the roleplay might misinterpret suspension.”
“They might not be wrong.” Blake slaps my ass.
Lennox corrects, “We’re not suspending you from anything except work.”
This is it. The moment I dread, but I promised Trena. And more importantly, I have to prove to myself that I’m willing to be honest about my feelings, even the hard ones.
The three of us stop beside the passenger door of the truck. Blake opens it and I force my feet to stay on the pavement, when snuggling up between them would be so much easier.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
Lennox’s face is full of fear.
“There’s something I have to tell you.”
“What is it, Firecracker?” Blake’s tone is gentle.
I stare at the ground. “I was so scared today, worrying that you might get hurt.”
