Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“I’m glad I was there,” I tell her and mean every word. “And when it comes to work, maybe I can petition the school board to start a foreign classroom exchange program,” I joke, making her laugh outright. She’s beautiful always, but cackling like a hyena? Her infectious joy just about makes my heart stop.
“Sounds like a plan,” she eventually says once she catches her breath. “I’ll apply for one in the east wing.”
“Only problem then is that I wouldn’t see you every day.”
Her eyes lock with mine. “Yeah, and?”
The truth is too close to the tip of my tongue to hold it back.
“And then I’d have to miss you.”
Even when she’s stalking into my classroom, flashing the stink eye and ready to read me the riot act over volume level, I’m still happy to see her.
Fuck. I’m always happy to see her. And this vacation with her hasn’t done anything but magnify that.
Katy
Setting my plate in the sink, I take a deep breath and try to get my head right.
My body buzzes, and my stomach turns over on itself with an unexpected wave of emotions. Mack Houston would miss me if he didn’t see me?
My brain reels as I try to make sense of the reality I’ve known for the last five years teaching at Calhoun versus the experience of this vacation. Even though it started off as rocky and included a trip to the ER, I’ve had fun with him. The most fun I’ve had in a really long time, if I’m honest.
Is Anna right? Has Mack been likable this whole time, and I’ve just been the neurotic pain in the ass preventing myself from seeing it?
The me who’s spent so many years teaching beside him thinks it’s impossible, but the me who’s experienced him taking care of me and making sure I had a good birthday and is currently stuffed full of homemade spaghetti and garlic bread, compliments of him, thinks differently.
I turn from the sink and lean my hips into it, conscious of just how fast my head is spinning and the very real danger that I might not stay up without the assistance.
Just face the facts, girlfriend. You don’t hate Mack Houston. You like him. A lot.
My head feels like a minefield, trying to wrap itself around this past week. I mean, has Mack really grown on me that much? Yes, he certainly has.
When I almost jump out of my skin when his arm brushes mine as he sets his dishes in the sink, I redirect my thoughts to simple things like cleaning up.
“Do you want me to help with the dishes?” I ask, even though I’m pretty sure they’ll all end up broken if I try to handle them right now.
“No way, Katy Cat. I’ve got it covered.”
I nod, grabbing my crutches and scooting away from the sink to put some space between us but carefully keeping the support of the counter.
Still, I don’t know what the hell to do with myself. I shift my weight from side to side and chew at my cheek to no relief. My body feels like a live wire, zapping and surging with the conflict-waging war inside.
I started this week thinking Mack Houston was the one man I hated, but now it feels like the world is topsy-turvy and I’ve been wrong about him the whole time. Despite the wine and donut fiasco, he’s been sweet to me. He’s been thoughtful and kind, and he’s never hesitated to help me out when I needed him.
That, combined with the fact that I’ve always secretly considered him one of the most attractive men I’ve ever seen, is not proving to be an easy thing to comprehend.
It was a lot easier when I thought he was just an uber-hot jerk.
How am I supposed to move forward with the realization that he’s actually an uber-hot, super-fun, unbelievably considerate guy?
My eyes find their way to where Mack stands at the sink. His hair hangs over his forehead in the sexiest way, and his biceps flex as he moves dishes from the sink and into the dishwasher. His jawline is strong like a male runway model, and his lips even look soft and full from his side profile.
I’d be an idiot if I weren’t willing to admit that Mack Houston is a stone-cold fox. It’s why any woman who ends up in his vicinity has to pick her jaw up off the floor. It’s why every female coworker at Calhoun giggles and blushes when he flashes a smile or wink in her direction. It’s why those college chicks wanted me to give him their number.
And it’s why you couldn’t take your eyes off him when you were touching yourself in the bath…
Just the mere thought of that night has my skin vibrating with a thousand different emotions. A part of me is completely embarrassed, but there’s another part that’s turned on by the visuals I have from it.