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Mr. Rowen nodded, pride in his eyes. “We’ve been asked to give a presentation to the whole school this afternoon. Get ready. We’re going to be late. When we get back, we’ll talk about your future here.”
Mr. Rowen took the letter from her and tore it into bits. Behind her, a slow, gulf clap broke out. It got louder and louder. But there was only one thing that rang through her ears.
Ron. Ron had chosen her. Did this mean there was a chance for them?
Chapter Twenty
Ron pulled a whiteboard onto the stage in preparation for the school assembly. On one side of the board there hung a tacked-on banner that read “Welcome Thrive Learning Systems.”
“I have to admit, this plan, these materials, look good,” said Mrs. Steen as she looked over the more extensive packet that Thrive Learning Systems had delivered this morning. “I think your little girlfriend is just what we need to succeed on the standardized tests.”
Ron didn’t open his mouth to correct her. He hoped it wasn’t too late to stamp that label on Kylee. He’d opted to make her test prep system an integral part of the school. It was a no-brainer. Her methods were the best option. For his heart, she was the only option. He just needed to let her know that.
He’d have his chance today. Thrive should be here any moment to give a presentation to the assembled school. Ron knew he couldn’t talk to Kylee before the presentation. He had a plan that wouldn’t require him to wait much longer after she was done.
It was nearly show time. Everything was in place on stage. The students were filing into the auditorium and taking their seats. All that was needed was the woman of the hour.
Ron didn’t see her enter the auditorium. But he knew the moment she stepped onto the stage. The air changed and became electric. His pulse sped up ahead of his heart. His palms itched to be full of her. But he waited. He had a plan.
Syd Rowen took the stage coming to stand in front of the whiteboard Ron had pulled behind the podium. The youthful-looking gray-haired man could’ve stood in for Ron’s older brother. “Thank you for having us.”
The man launched into an age-appropriate speech about his taking tests in his youth. His antics and animated delivery had the kids giggling and actually listening. Rowen clearly understood his audience, and Ron felt even more certain that he’d made the right decision to put all his eggs in the Thrive basket.
As Rowen went on, he lost Ron’s attention. Ron turned to a figure just off the stage, standing behind the curtain. Kylee was looking down at her notes. Ron knew from their youth that she didn’t like speaking off the cuff. He knew she’d have her remarks prepared, not leaving anything to chance. That was his Kylee.
His Kylee.
When her gaze lifted, it found his immediately. He knew that, even through the crowded room, she’d seen him because she took a deep inhale. Ron watched as her shoulders rose. The movement accentuated her collarbones and Ron’s mouth watered.
He hoped their silent communication was working today. He squinted his eyes, trying to let her know that he was sorry for his actions in her office. He’d been out of line and inappropriate to bring personal matters into a professional environment.
Kylee tilted her head to the side. In his heart, Ron was certain the movement was meant to tell him that he was forgiven, and also to ask for his apology for the debacle with her ex.
Ron nodded, eager to let her know that her apology wasn’t needed. He needed Kylee to know that there was a blank space in his life, and she was the only answer to that particular question. He was certain she got his answer when she smiled back at him.
At this point, Ron was tired of the muted gulf between them. He wanted to use words, he wanted to use his hands, he wanted to use his lips. But there was a room of children between them, and Kylee was now being called to the podium.
Her boss said her name. When she didn’t respond, because all of her focus was on Ron, Rowen repeated her name again. Kylee tore her gaze away from Ron and stepped up to the podium.
“It’s all right to make mistakes,” she said, not looking at her notes. “It’s how we learn. A test should teach you something. That’s the way I’ve designed these lessons for you guys. Would you like to see?”
The children gave a rousing chorus of agreement. Kylee turned to the whiteboard behind her. Instead of untacking the welcome sign, she turned the board around to the blank side. A chorus of giggles rose up at what was on the board.
Ron + Kylee = Forever was written in colorful dry erase marker.
Ron caught a few adult gazes go to Molly. Though the little girl had been a mischief maker in her first few weeks here, the kid’s gaze was all innocence. Ron could attest that this time it wasn’t her fault.
“Try the eraser,” Ron called out as he walked toward the stage.
Kylee did. But instead of erasing the equation, the eraser put purple sparkles over the solved problem. Finally, Kylee put the eraser down and simply gazed at the writing on the board.
“I think this is permanent marker,” said Kylee as Ron joined her on stage. Her voice carried in the microphone she still held in one hand.
“It is permanent,” said Ron. “And you just sprinkled it with fairy dust which seals the deal.”
Kylee’s lips parted, but no words left her mouth. A single tear left her right eyelid and Ron caught it with his thumb. She blinked, looking up at him as though he were the answer to a problem that had challenged her for a while.
“Did I get the math right?” Ron asked.
