Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“Hey, Chippy,” I said loudly. “How was your first day back, love?”
She blinked.
I kissed her again, this time pressing my mouth to hers.
“I missed you. You and Mia.”
“Oh,” she breathed out. “Simon, what—”
I interrupted her.
“Mia and I want to hear all about it. And she can hardly wait to tell you about hers. I thought I’d take my girls out to supper. You up for that?”
“Supper?”
“Yeah. Out. Unless you want to get takeout and head home? I could rub your feet.”
“Home?” she repeated quietly.
“With us. Where you belong,” I said just as quietly.
“I’d love some pizza.”
“Out it is, then.”
“But after…” She let the words trail off, her meaning clear.
“Home,” I stated.
She nodded. “I need to get my purse and tidy the classroom.”
“I’ll wait.”
She leaned closer. “People are looking.”
I shrugged. “Let them look. I have nothing to hide. I’m here to pick up my daughter and my girlfriend.”
Her eyes were like saucers. “Okay, then. But I need a little time.”
I winked. “We can help.”
“No, it’s fine. Like ten minutes.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“We’ll be waiting, Daddy,” Mia corrected me.
“That’s right. We’ll be waiting.”
Amy’s smile was brighter than the sun on an August afternoon. Its warmth hit my chest and made me smile with her.
“Okay,” she breathed out and hurried away.
I glanced at Holly, who gave me a subtle thumbs-up. I met a few curious gazes with a calm smile and then ignored the rest.
I made Amy happy with a simple gesture. I made Mia happy.
And they, in turn, made me happy.
Meeting Amy had brought me an unexpected gift. A second chance at love. I hadn’t said the words yet, but I felt them. And I planned to tell her how I was feeling later when we were alone.
I loved her, and she brought me joy. I wanted that feeling forever.
I was grabbing it with both hands.
And I planned to never let it go.
CHAPTER TEN
AMY
I headed to my classroom and made sure I was ready for morning. Normally, I would spend some time prepping, but I was ahead for the week and I had cleaned as the day went, so it didn’t take long. I grabbed my purse from my desk and headed back toward the doors.
One of the other teachers was walking toward me, and I straightened my shoulders. Eleanor Aldridge and I didn’t get along. Even though she was only a few years older than I was, we were vastly different. She wore baggy clothes, and her hair was always pulled back in a tight bun. She was rigid and strict, a stickler for rules, and she felt I was too “out there,” with my wardrobe, thoughts, and ways of teaching. I, in turn, felt she had too heavy a hand for third graders, but she insisted they needed to be kept in line. My arguments that they were children for such a short time was met with a roll of her eyes and derision. We usually stayed clear of each other.
I forced a smile to my face. “Eleanor. Good first day?”
She pursed her lips. “I have some troublemakers in my class. I’ll set them straight quickly.”
I barely managed to hide my eye roll. I felt bad for the “troublemakers.” I wondered if they had the audacity to laugh or act like kids in her class.
“Wow,” I murmured. “First day and in trouble already.”
She crossed her arms. “I witnessed the spectacle outside earlier.”
I frowned. “Spectacle?”
“Kissing a student’s father. Showing off in front of everyone.” She shook her head. “Very unprofessional. I’m surprised you haven’t been reprimanded.”
I mimicked her stance and crossed my arms. “There are no rules about dating the parent of a student not in your class. Principal Bremmer has been notified that we are dating and has no issue with it. As for the spectacle, as you call it, my students were all picked up and I was done for the day, so I did nothing unprofessional. I highly doubt anyone else would consider a kiss hello scandalous.”
“Not wise to mix your professional life with your personal life.”
I drew back my shoulders. “My personal life is none of your concern, and I don’t appreciate nor welcome your thoughts.”
She sniffed. “It’s everyone’s concern when it affects the school. Favoritism is frowned upon.”
“My relationship with Simon doesn’t affect the school at all. I don’t teach Mia, so there is no favoritism.” I waved my hand. “If you have a problem, take it up with the principal. I have no desire to listen to you anymore.”
“I’ll be watching you,” she warned.
It was impossible to hold back my laughter. “You do that, Eleanor. Watch away when you’re not dealing with your troublemakers.”
I walked away, shaking my head. I refused to let her dampen my spirits. Outside, I found Simon and Mia waiting, talking to Holly. I walked toward them, meeting Simon’s warm gaze.
Holly grinned at me. “We’re joining you for pizza.”