Page 121 of Love Lessons: Expanded Edition

Chapter 23

Dustin

Dustin passed around the three goblets of champagne and handed Ash a matching glass with sparkling cider since they didn’t drink. He held up his glass and everyone followed suit. To Lena, my dangerous girl.

He debated adding more to the toast, but everyone had already heard the story, rehashed several times. Lena had contacted the local newspaper, done an interview, and given the reporter the contact info of a few angry parents. The reporter had contacted the superintendent’s office for an interview, and apparently the threat of bad publicity was all it took for him to cave.

Dustin had argued that it was also the informational letters and presentations that Lena had put together, but honestly, the superintendent was such a douche that they probably hadn’t done anything.

He was proud of Lena for fighting for what she wanted, and Lena was happy because the article hadn’t even needed to go to print. Dustin privately wouldn’t have minded if it did. At least Lena didn’t have to deal with that asshole as a parent next year, since he was keeping his daughter in another school.

Dustin clinked his glass against the others and then everybody drank.

Dustin didn’t mention his plan of asking Lena to stay with him for the summer… or maybe forever. But he was thinking about it already. He wanted her here. Where she belonged. He was pretty sure now that she would agree. The hardest part of the past few months had been denying both of their impulses to let him smother her with attention, but he fully intended to make up for it now.

He set his glass down and pulled Lena down into his lap. Game nights continued to be some of the best parts of the week. The four of them alternated houses, but they always ate in the living room where there was space to snuggle on couches and the floor, even if they used the board games as an excuse.

His prickly, defiant girl melted into his arms on game nights, and nobody batted an eye when he chose to feed her or maybe let his hands drift up a little higher than he would in other company.

Which was probably because Ash and Zhong seemed to be getting along pretty well as… something like a couple. Or at least they functioned like one during game nights. He and Lena both got slightly confused updates from their respective friends and it was fun to compare notes.

Right now, Ash was sitting on the floor between Zhong’s feet wearing a shapeless, tube-like garment reminiscent of Martha Graham. They were adorable together, and he felt a flush of warmth in his own chest watching his best friend absently stroke Ash’s hair as they chatted.

He honestly wasn’t sure if it could work out for the two of them, but he really hoped it did. Zhong was the person he loved most in the world after Lena, or maybe even as much as Lena in a different way, and it meant a lot to see him so content and pleased.

Tonight they were playing one of those god-awful deck-building games that had a lot of rules and took forever. He didn’t mind them too much once he knew the rules but learning them was probably some sort of torture in a minor hell. He certainly didn’t understand why anyone would want to learn more than one of them.

But the joy that Ash, Zhong, and Lena took from them was more than enough to keep him at least slightly engaged while he built a haphazard deck.

He was having more fun teasing Lena, though. And watching Zhong feed Ash the dark chocolate that they loved. It was almost pornographic, really, the way that Ash suckled Zhong’s fingers and decadently swallowed. He was pretty sure they were putting on a show for their audience, and he was happy to be the audience for the evening. The sparkle in Lena’s eyes didn’t escape his notice, either.

So he was having an enjoyable evening, but he was still a bit eager for his friends to leave so that he could get Lena alone.

If ever there was a night where she earned a reward, it was this one.

And he made sure to let her know when they were taking plates to the kitchen just before saying goodnight to their guests. It was fun watching her squirm and try to act like nothing had happened when she hugged them at the door.

And then they were finally alone.

Come here, Danger.

Why? She put her hands on her hips.

God, he loved her. He couldn’t have been happier these last few months. And from the way she looked at him, she was, too.

Because you’re beautiful. Because I love you. She never said it back, but he was patient. Because you’re fierce and strong and you make me happy.

He’d meant to give her a command. Something to rebel against. But he found himself spilling out his feelings instead.

Because I’m so proud of you for finding a way to handle this difficult situation that supported your students without going against your principles.

She rolled her eyes. Whatever.

He still couldn’t explain it, but these were the moments when he felt closest to her. She’d been a charming adult all evening and they’d had enjoyable discussions with their friends. In most parts of their lives, he depended on her intelligence, confidence, and maturity just as much as she depended on him.

But he felt tingles down his spine when she gave him the vulnerability and trust of her disobedience, too.

He crowded into her space until she was standing with her back against the door. He wasn’t touching her, but he was so close that he could feel her rapid breaths on his cheek. Are you talking back to me?