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Kate helped backstage with the costumes and props, but she often caught a glimpse from the stage. She was proud of her kids as they performed their very first play. Some children were really enjoying the limelight, and she when Jonathan stood in front of the class and sang the loudest. Bree winked knowingly at Kate as he pranced around on stage.
Kate felt the hairs rise on the back of her neck, and sure enough, when she turned her head to Donovan, he was watching her. He chuckled when she winked at him. After four more songs, the play ended and she helped usher the children to the stage for their encore.
The crowd clapped, whistled and cheered the children on when they tried to make a line and take a bow like they’d practiced earlier. Declan stood from his chair and shouted, “We want more, we want more….”
The children giggled and talked amongst themselves while Bree gave a cue to Craig to turn on the last song. The kids gave this song their all, and after they’d finished, the applause grew even louder. Jonathan ran up to her and hugged Kate’s waist.
“Did you see them?” he shouted.
But before Kate could respond, he speed walked over to Bree to hug her just as tightly. “Miss Breee, Miss Breeee, everyone is clapping!”
Kate and Bree smiled from ear to ear and hugged several children. One by one, they talked to the kids and some of their parents and caretakers who could attend the play. After things had wound down a bit, she saw a chance to walk over to Donovan, who happened to be talking to Cait and Maggie.
Maggie had her back to Kate, so she didn’t notice her walking up. ”Really? Miss Kate? That sweet teaching girl? What are you doing with a girl if you’re obviously all man who—”
Before Kate could say anything to put a stop to this shameless come-on in an auditorium full of kids, Cait beat her to the punch.
“Oh no, she didn’t just say that?” She looked over at Donovan. He gave Cait a lopsided grin, already knowing Caitlin would tear Maggie a new one.
Cait nodded at Maggie and said, “And who do you think you are? Ms. McFuckin Sultrypout? In case you haven’t noticed, he doesn’t need or want your attention. Kate is twice the woman you are.”
Maggie scoffed and said under her breath, “Yeah, she most definitely is.”
Kate halted midstep, hurt by those words. It’s true that Kate had a lot more meat around her bones. She never felt comfortable around the skinny cheerleader type, aka Maggie McFuckin Sultrypout. But to be set aside like this, in her place of work, in front of her friend and boyfriend for that matter? She felt the burning sensation of tears welling up in her eyes but tried to hold them down.
It had happened before in high school, someone making fun of her big thighs and larger breasts. At the time, Jennifer Lopez was just Jenny from the block and big booties weren’t hot like nowadays. But for a pupil’s mom to call her out on it? She was flabbergasted.
A dark rumbling voice brought her to the present. “Get out of my sight, Maggie. I can’t even look at you. If I thought you were worth it, I would demand an apology for my girlfriend. But I’d much rather never talk to you again. Get the fuck out of here.”
“Your… girlfriend? Since when do you do girlfriends? You’re a one-night kinda guy.” Maggie laughed.
Kate wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. They had a history? Before she could fully turn to walk away, she was halted by his warm hand on her bicep. When she looked up into his worried eyes, the first tear broke free.
She didn’t want her coworkers or the parents to see her as some weak, pathetic girl, so she pleaded with her eyes for him to let her go. He hugged her to his chest and kissed the top of her hair.
“It’s okay. I got you,” he softly said against her hair.
She twisted in his arms, but he didn’t let go. Caitlin came over and placed her hand on her shoulder. “Forget that Maleficent wannabe, Kate.”
Kate scoffed and wiped her tears away. “You’ve been spending too much time with Errin.”
Caitlin and Donovan chuckled, but she was looking around for Maggie. Ugh, she was bound to run into her several times a week because she was Kelsey’s mom. No, she scolded herself. She wouldn’t be that girl ever again. She wouldn’t let that witch get under her skin for a moment longer. She straightened her shoulders, and her eyes locked with Donovan’s.
“There she is, my sweet cupcake. Come, let’s take you home.”
They said goodbye to their friends, and he walked with her as if his hand was glued to her lower back. She waved at Craig, who seemed worried but didn’t make any attempt to ask her what had been going on. She was relieved when she finally walked out of St. Helena’s Kindergarten.
It was the first time since starting this job that she’d felt relieved to start her weekend, knowing she wouldn’t come back here until Monday. That rotten feeling was overwhelming as she realized that someone just made her feel bad enough to even hate being at work where she normally loved spending time.
When they entered Donovan’s apartment, she’d felt a bit drained. She kicked off her shoes and walked over to the kitchen to peek into the fridge, finding what she’d been looking for. After warming milk on the stove, she poured it over some cocoa and took her mug with her to the couch. Donovan came from the hallway in his gray sweatpants and white T-shirt.
He sat next to her and threw his arm around her, hugging her to him. With a big sigh, she placed her feet on the couch and turned to rest her head in his lap. He stroked her hair from her face and, after a while, tugged on a strand.
She shifted to look up into his eyes. As usual she couldn’t read his thoughts or gauge his mood. She was about to get up from his lap, but he placed his hand on her shoulder to keep her head on his strong, muscular thigh. She puffed out a breath and closed her eyes.
“Tell me. I want to know why you’re so upset.”
“Didn’t you hear her? I… ugh!” She went to get up, and this time he let her. When she moved to get off the couch, he picked her up and set her onto his lap so that she straddled him. Her knees dug into the couch on both sides of him, and she placed her hands on his shoulders.
