Page 10 of Playing With Temptation

“You’re gonna ace your math quiz,” I told him. “You’re Lucas ‘The Math Wizard’ Cross.”

“I’m gonna be Lucas ‘Grounded All Weekend’ Cross if I don’t pass.”

“And that’s why you studied your butt off,” I reminded him. “What else is happening? Any new friends?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught his shrug. “Not really. There’s this girl who got moved to my lunch table. She seems okay, but she’s really quiet.”

“What’s her name?”

“Juniper. But everyone calls her Juni.”

Cool name.

“Maybe Juni is just shy and is waiting for someone to talk to her and be her friend.”

“Maybe.”

“And what do we do when someone is sitting alone and not talking to anyone?”

“We talk to them and make sure they know they’re seen. Today at lunch I’ll sit next to her and ask her questions and stuff.”

Oh, yeah, I totally loved my boy.

“Report back with her favorite hobby and color and there’s an extra ice cream cookie in it for you.”

Some parents might call it a reward for their kid being a good person. But the truth was, I wasn’t above bribing my son into putting extra effort into befriending a shy girl.

I was once that girl.

I knew what it felt like to want friends but not have any.

It wasn’t until a cute, popular boy made me feel special that I started to come out of my shell.

Then I had Zoe, and she had a presence that lit up a room. You couldn’t help but be drawn into her orbit. And once you were there, she never let you go.

I’d lost two of the most important people in my life. The two people who’d shown me love, but more importantly, how to love.

And I was damn well making sure I raised my son to be like Jase and Zoe.

Proving that my boy was wiser than his years, I rolled up to the Hope Center sans coffee. I’d been so lost in thought going over my pitch I drove through town, passing at least seven coffee shops, and failed to pull into any of them.

Five minutes later, I was parked, had my lucky Coach, and purse strapped over my shoulder, and was making my way across the parking lot. The Hope Center looked like a YMCA. The building was also newish. During my research, I’d read about a fire that burned down the original center. Thankfully no one was injured during the blaze, but there had been an entrapment—an unnamed minor; Josie Lark who was the director; and another woman, Sawyer Glasgow.

As I made my way to the front doors, I went over what I knew about Josie—master’s degree in early childhood development and a doctorate in education. She’d written countless articles for scholarly journals, and she’d given speeches all over the country. To say I was intimidated would be an understatement. It wasn’t her education or the articles or even her accolades. I’d watched several of the speeches she’d given online; the woman had a commanding presence even through my computer screen. In person, she’d be a powerhouse.

I can do this.

“You’re gonna nail it, Hot Stuff.” I heard Zoe in my head. “Tonight we’ll pop a cork and toast your brilliance.”

There would be no more popping corks with Zoe.

However, there were ice cream sandwiches with Lucas to look forward to.

“Hi.” A beautiful brunette who bore a striking resemblance to Minka Kelly, greeted me as soon as I walked into the center. “Welcome to the Hope Center.”

“Hello. I’m Rainy Cross. I have an appointment with Ms. Lark.”

The woman dialed up her smile, and wow, she was gorgeous.