AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“As long as you don’t start inviting strange men to join us like last time.”
“What are you talking about?”
“San Francisco? Don’t act like you don’t remember.”
Karen burst out laughing. “Oh, that. Well, you should be thanking me for hooking you up.”
“We’re not hooked up.”
“But you could be.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why is it so hard for you to believe Monte could have feelings for you? You’re a great person.”
“I know I’m a great person. That has nothing to do with it. You can’t really believe that he’s going to keep coming up here, especially with him traveling all over the country touring, not to mention what he has to do for the clients at his label. He’s cool and all, but I think we’ll probably end up as friends. Besides, I’m sure he has no problems getting any woman he wants.”
“Hmph.”
“So back to the original question. You aren’t going to be inviting strange men to our dinner table tonight, right?”
“I guess not,” Karen grumbled. “But I’m gonna get you a man one of these days.”
Janae shook her head, then opened the office door. “You really need to be concentrating on your own business and leaving mine alone. My life is fine the way it is.” They got mail from their boxes and left. “I’ll see you later, crazy woman.”
“Okay. I have a short meeting after school, so I’ll come to your class.” Karen headed in the direction of the copy machine.
“All right.” Janae thought about that speech she made and knew, in her heart, that she’d lied. Terrence had gotten to her. What started out as a nice fantasy had now turned into something else altogether.
* * *
“Hello, sir. May I help you?”
“Hello, I’m looking for Ms. Janae Simms’s classroom.”
“Class is in session right now. May I ask what this is concerning?”
“I met Ms. Simms recently. She mentioned that she taught special students, and I’d like to observe.”
“I see. Are you thinking of enrolling your son or daughter in her class?”
Before he could answer, he glanced over to see Janae’s friend approaching.
Karen walked over to the secretary’s desk. “It’s all right, Terri.”
“You know Mr. Campbell, Karen?”
“Yes.” She extended her hand. “Hello, Mr. Campbell. It’s nice to see you again. I didn’t know you’d be coming to observe so soon.”
“I have to leave town earlier than expected and wanted to do the observation before I left,” he answered, playing along.
“Did you sign in and get a badge?”
Terrence signed the register, and the secretary handed him a badge.
“Terri, I’ll point Mr. Campbell in the right direction on my way back to class.”
“Thanks, Karen. Good luck, Mr. Campbell.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as the office door closed, Karen rounded on him. “Okay, what gives? Are you playing a game with my friend?”
“No. I assure you I’m not.”
“All right. I’m warning you. Like I told your boy a couple of weeks ago, if you hurt my girl, I’m gonna have your butt tossed off one of those bridges in San Francisco.”
He chuckled softly. “I’ll try to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“Just so we’re clear. So you really like Janae?”
“I do.”
She stopped walking and peered into his face as if searching for the truth. Satisfied, she pointed. “Go through that door. Her room is the second one on the left.”
“Thank you, Ms. Morris.”
Terrence stood outside the door for a moment and watched as Janae stood in front of the class holding up a piece of paper. He quietly stepped through the door.
Janae turned his way, and her eyes widened. “Hold on a second, class. Mrs. Brown, can you and Ms. Russell divide the students into their groups?” She walked over to Terrence. “What are you doing here?” she whispered.
He smiled. “I came to see you. Don’t mind me. I’ll sit over here, out of your way.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
His eyebrow lifted, and a wicked grin played around the corners of his mouth.
“Go sit down,” she said, shaking her head.
She went back to the table, where three of the students sat waiting. She put a sheet in front of each one and picked up a small paint tray. “Okay, Gabriel. What color do you want first—green or orange?” He pointed to orange, and she put an orange dot in three of the petals on the flower. “I want you to only fill in the ones with the orange dot.” She demonstrated what she wanted him to do, then repeated the process with the other two students.
