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I scoff. “I have fun. I have plenty of fun.”
Finally, the line we’re in shifts forward and we step forward with it. Another ten minutes later, Maya and I have finally checked in, gotten our lanyards and name badges, and each have a tote bag hanging from our wrist with various conference materials inside. As we thread our way out of the crowd, I pull out a glossy program and look over the schedule for the rest of the day.
I’ve been looking forward to this conference all year, and I can tell that it’s not going to disappoint.
I’m still thumbing through the program as Maya and I make our way into the main auditorium and find seats for the keynote address. After we get settled, I flip through the last few pages, which are full of headshots of the conference’s special guests and panelists.
And that’s when I spot him again.
On the page in front of me, that is.
The man I saw earlier in the crowd is one of the conference’s special guests—his name is Jack Goddard. Apparently, Jack is the superintendent of a school district in Portland, Oregon.
Guess that air of importance makes sense now.
As I study his picture, my heart rate picks up. He has the greatest smile. The strongest jaw. The sexiest eyes. The brief bio below his name doesn’t say anything about a wife or family. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have one.
I mean, there’s no way a guy as attractive as himisn’ttaken, right?
“Ooh,” says Maya, leaning over to look down at the program in my lap. “There’s your hottie.”
“Please don’t call him that, Maya,” I murmur.
“Fine. There’s thehandsome man who you were totally checking out earlier. Also known as your hottie.”
I give her a look.
Maya laughs. “You know I’m just teasing you, right, sweetie?”
“Yeah, I know,” I say with a softening sigh. Deep down, I know Maya’s encouragement probablyisa good thing. I’m aware that I’m not exactly the most outgoing, fun, risk-taking person in the world. But it’s always been hard for me to let loose.
It’s just the way I am.
A few minutes later, the keynote address begins, which is heartfelt and inspiring. After that, Maya and I head to our first session. The next few hours are full of back-to-back sessions; each one is like a little gem.
Aside from all the knowledge to be gained, though, the other wonderful thing about the conference is getting to hang out with so many other teachers. Thanks to Maya’s chattiness, we find ourselves heading to dinner with a small group of other teachers we’ve befriended over the course of the first day. Soon, we’re sitting down in a crowded restaurant, laughing and swapping stories with each other, ordering appetizers for the whole table to share.
It’s fun. It’s a lot of fun, actually. But by the time the waiter drops our check off at our table, I’m ready to head back to the hotel and crash, and I try to beg off when the rest of them talk about heading to a bar.
“You’re going to go tosleep?” Maya scoffs. “What are you, ninety years old, Claire? Come on. Come with us. Foronedrink, at least.”
“Yeah, come with us, Claire!” one of the other teachers insists.
Everyone’s eyes turn to look imploringly at me.
Do I really want these lovely people to remember me as the boring one?
“Okay, fine,” I say. “One drink. That’s it.”
Chapter Two
Jack
Istretch the kinks out of my back as I ride the elevator down to the hotel lobby. After spending all morning sitting in that cramped airplane seat, then spending all day in just as cramped seats during these conference sessions, it felt good as hell to stretch out on the king-size bed in my hotel room and relax while I enjoyed room service.
I’m not about to spend the rest of the night cooped up in that hotel room, though.
I’ve figured I’ll find a nearby bar, have a drink or two, maybe mingle with some of the other conference attendees who are sure to be around.
