Page 36 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

She gave me her attention again. “You two just got off on the wrong foot. You’d probably get along if the situation was different.”

I couldn’t help the sudden snort she pulled out of me.

Chapter 15

Mia

SOUTH BRONX CLASSICAL

I pushed my emotions down as my awful, asshole-of-a-brain decided to remind me that Lilly was currently meeting with the man I’d groped only a handful of days ago. Now was not the time for regret; I had a play to co-direct.

We had the full cast sectioned into groups, rehearsing lines in the seats surrounding the amphitheater stage, and it was time to pull out every inch of compartmentalization I could muster.

Yep. No more thinking about Theo Hudson or the fact that having his cock pressed against my ass in that storage closet was the single hottest moment of my life.

Sigh. Too bad that I wasn’t great at compartmentalizing.

I physically shook myself, and Gem eyed me strangely. She came down from the stage, stood next to me, and said, “You look stressed.”

“It’s been a weird start to the school year.” I tried to smile at her, but my attention, thankfully, snagged on the gorgeous raven-haired woman painting one of the sets. I nudged my chin in her direction. “How’s she doing?”

“Rochelle? She works fast. That porch Theo built should be ready to go in a few days.”

I wanted to kick myself for asking, but, “She’s Kira’s aunt, isn’t she?”

Gem nudged me, her elbow moving in a blur of colorful polka dots. “She is, and she’s been great for Kira. Have you seen her lately?”

I glanced at Theo’s daughter, now at the center of a group, laughing and chatting. Compared to her usual gloominess, this wasn’t just an improvement—it was a leap. Seeing her happy and content eased some of the pressure in my chest. No matter what had happened between her father and me, I wanted her to do well. I was glad to see her settling in with her castmates.

“Do you want me to introduce you?” Gem asked, looking at Rochelle pointedly.

I made a face. I needed less Hudson in my life, not more. “No thanks.”

“Oh, come on. We’ve only got one other volunteer coming, and she’ll be here for the next few weeks.”

I wanted to growl a very firm no in Gem’s insistent horn-rimmed face but decided against it. Rochelle wasn’t her brother, and I didn’t want to be that awkward person who didn’t greet someone when they walked into a room.

“Fine,” I sighed, and Gem led me onto the stage, where Rochelle was dipping a brush into a can of red paint.

The shade almost matched her lips. They were full and pouty, the color setting off the green in her eyes.

“Holy fuck,” I breathed. “If I weren’t straight as a ruler, I think I’d drag her to bed.”

Gem laughed. “She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?”

“I shouldn’t be surprised. We know who her brother is.”

“He’s a bit prickly, though.”

I huffed out a laugh. “Gem, the man is rougher than a sandpaper condom.”

She snorted, then shushed me as Rochelle noticed us. I stepped forward and thrust my hand out.

“Hi, Rochelle. I’m Mia Walker. I teach Language Arts here at South Bronx.”

Something like shock and delight passed over her features, and Rochelle gripped my hand hard, leaning in as though she had a secret she was dying to tell me.

“Mia Walker? You’re Miss Walker?” She pulled me closer, and I felt oddly like I was under inspection. “I’ve heard so much about you.”