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“Says the boss of the teachers,” said Mrs. Steen.
Molly turned to Ron. “I thought you were the boss of the teachers.”
“It looks like they need you all on stage,” he said, taking the cowardly way out. “Have a great show everybody.”
Avoiding Mrs. Steen’s gaze, Ron rose and made a quick exit from backstage. He took the long route to avoid the other teachers, kids, and parents. He didn’t look up or make eye contact with anyone until he reached the back of the auditorium. Once there he leaned against the exit doors. He had an excellent view of the stage and the backs of everyone’s heads.
“Why do you look like you’re hiding?”
Ron turned to face Kylee. His urge to leave out the exit doors vanished, and his feet grew roots. “Because I am.”
“From who?” she stage-whispered, looking around as though she could find his nemesis.
“Students, teachers, moms.”
“Moms?” She turned back to him.
“You may not know this, but I’ve become a hot commodity these last few years.” Ron flipped up the collar of his dress shirt and posed like a model he’d seen in GQ Magazine. “Single professional who’s good with kids and has all his hair.”
“You sure about that?” Kylee reached up to ruffle his hair.
Ron swatted at her hand. “Hey.”
Instead of shoving her hand away, he caught it in his. Somehow, her fingers slid through the gaps his made. To the casual observer, it would clearly look as though they were holding hands.
He’d sat next to Kylee many times in his life and brushed her leg or her shoulder. He’d handed her out of cars a few times. They’d even danced at school functions. They high fived after every test in high school. So, why did he feel like fireworks were going off inside him?
With great reluctance, she pulled his fingers free of hers. “What are you doing here?”
Kylee chucked her thumb towards the front of the auditorium. “My kid’s on the stage.”
“Right. Of course.”
He should mingle with others. Check to see if he was needed anywhere. Chat with a few of the parents. But he stayed put at the back of the room.
“Ron?”
“Hmm?”
“I was actually hoping I could talk to you about something. It’s work-related.”
“Oh, Molly’s doing great today after our talk.”
“No, not your work. Mine. I told you the other day that I work for Thrive Learning Systems. We’re a test prep company and we’re doing very innovative work on test prep for standardized testing. I was hoping to schedule a meeting to pitch you.”
“Done.”
“Really?” She tipped her head to the side, eyes wide with surprise.
“Really.”
“Just like that?” She tipped her head to the other side, grinning hugely with what Ron knew to be giddiness.
“Just like that,” he confirmed.
“Because I prepared a whole speech.”
Ron chuckled. Of course, Kylee had prepared and practiced. He took a dramatic inhale and then waved his hand. “Come on, let’s have it. Do you want to deliver the speech now?”
