AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You did tell me that was one of the reasons you wanted to come here with me, yet you don’t seem to be in any hurry to visit them.”
“I know. It’s true. I just...don’t want them to know what’s going on here, with you and me.”
I crinkle my nose, a part of me wondering if they really would like me, or would they think I’m not good enough for their brother. Could that be why Roman really doesn’t want them to know? On some level does he think the unwanted girl with no parents wouldn’t fit in with his family?
“I hate for you to be so close and not see them, though,” I say.
“It’s fine, Peyton. When this is all over, and you’re the new full-time teacher—and we’re officially over—I’ll visit them. They never have to know about any of this.”
“I’ve always wanted to visit Italy,” I say, putting a little cheer in my voice to hide the unease welling up inside me as I think about him leaving here, disappearing from my life—like so many others have before. “Not that I’m saying I want to go with you or anything,” I quickly clarify.
He studies my face, opens his mouth and closes it a couple times. Finally, he says, “Are you going to pretend we broke up after you sign the contract, or pretend I was needed back in New York and carry on with the charade that we’re married? We never really talked about that.”
Even though I get the sense that’s not what he really wanted to ask, I say, “If you have no intentions of ever getting married, I guess continuing to pretend is an option, isn’t it?”
“I might not want to get married, Peyton, but I’m still a guy,” he teases with a wink.
Yeah, I get it. Pretending we’re still married means he can’t be seen out with other women. Okay, so why does the idea of him being with another woman bother me so much? Then again, do I really have to ask myself that question? “How about we cross that bridge when we get to it,” I say as I try to wipe the visual of him in bed with another woman from my mind. “Right now, let’s just focus on me being the best candidate.”
We stop in front of the school and he turns to me. “Tonight, let’s get out. Go sightseeing, go to a restaurant. I’ll make us a reservation for somewhere nice.”
“That sounds like fun.” I go up on my toes to kiss him. “Just so you know, you don’t have to walk me home from work today. I’m a big girl. I can find my own way.”
“Okay, I’ll probably be too busy today, anyway.”
Disappointment settles in my stomach. Damn, I was only kidding. I was hoping he was going to fight me on the matter. I smile to cover the ridiculous turmoil careering through me, settling around the vicinity of my heart.
The first bell inside the school rings and I reach for the door. “See you later.”
I hurry inside and head to the staff room to grab a coffee before the second bell rings. I make it quickly and reach my classroom as the children start filing in. On my desk there’s a little pink box.
I open it to find a gorgeous cupcake with pink icing inside. I glance at the note, with my name on it. Paula made me a cupcake? I might not believe in Cinderella, but Snow White and the poison apple, that’s a different story. Just then Richard pokes his head into the door, a big smile on his face.
“I see you found your surprise.”
“How lovely of Paula,” I say.
Anita, the math teacher in the class across the hall, peeks in. “I’m saving mine for break, although I was tempted to call it breakfast dessert and dive in.”
Richard laughs at her and I mentally kick myself for believing the worst of Paula. She’s obviously just trying to win the staff over with sweets.
“Saving it, huh?” Richard says with a laugh. “Then how did you get that blue icing on your nose?”
We all laugh and Anita, good sport that she is, quickly wipes it away. “Well, I
didn’t eat the whole thing,” she says, a sheepish look on her face. “I only had a nibble, and it was delicious.” She glances at my box. “What color icing did you get.”
“Pink,” I say.
“She made a different color for everyone. Based on your auras,” Richard says.
I don’t really believe in such things, but I do appreciate the effort. “Tell Paula thanks,” I say when the second bell rings and they head to their respective classrooms. As I watch them go, Roman’s words of warning jingle in the back of my brain.
All the lovely little children sit at their desks, their hair combed neatly, their faces scrubbed and shiny.
“Okay, class,” I say, and pull a package of cards from my bag. “We are going to learn animal names in English.” I hold the picture up of a llama making a funny face, and the kids chuckle.
* * *
