Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
I couldn’t do that. Getting all giddy about him would lead to me feeling things, and that would hurt when this was over. Whatever this was. Rolling onto my back, I sighed. Just thinking about him made my stomach all fluttery and changed my mood. Who was I kidding? It was already going to hurt when he had his fill and moved on. How soon would that be? After we had sex? My mood started to plummet again.
The ringing of my phone snapped me out of my downward spiral, and I reached over to grab it from my nightstand. The number on the phone wasn’t one I recognized, but it was local.
“Hello?” I said, thinking someone must have the wrong number. There was no one I could think of that would be calling me this early.
“Miss Gerard.” The man’s voice on the other line was familiar and not one I’d expected to ever call me.
I sat up in bed, clearing the sleepy rasp in my throat before replying, “Yes?”
I steeled myself for the news that I no longer had a job. That they weren’t going to wait on me to decide if I would show them my medical records as proof or not. I’d walked out of the office yesterday upset and not agreed to that ultimatum. The fact that the president of the board was calling me didn’t bode well.
“There has been a grave error, and for that, I, along with the rest of the board, am very sorry. If you would please forgive us for accusing you without evidence but on word alone and return to your classroom today, we would be grateful. I am holding a faculty and staff mandatory assembly at seven fifteen this morning to address the ugly rumor that has spread, as well as another issue. I hope you can be in attendance.”
I sat frozen with my mouth agape. This was a turn of events I hadn’t seen coming. What could have happened since I’d walked out of Principal Clairton’s office? And why hadn’t he called me instead?
“I, uh, yes, I would love to return to my classroom,” I stammered out. Tears of relief stung my eyes that I wouldn’t just be disappearing out of the children’s lives without a word. “I can be at the assembly.”
“Wonderful,” he replied, sounding relieved. “I will see you soon, Miss Gerard.”
“Yes, okay,” I said and continued to sit there with the phone in my hand after he hung up.
I had my job back? I wasn’t getting fired. Relief, joy, and vindication that he had called and had to admit to me that they were wrong washed over me, and I let out a laugh, then threw back my covers to scramble out of bed.
I wanted to tell Oz, but when my eyes dropped to my phone, I realized I didn’t have his number. He’d never given it to me or asked for mine. My buoyant mood eased off some at that splash of cold water in my face. I was all excited, and the first person I’d thought about was Oz, yet we were just a casual sex thing. The simple fact that I didn’t even have his number was a bright neon sign that I had missed. Probably due to the multiple orgasms he’d given me.
Straightening my shoulders, I took in a deep breath. I had just gotten my job back, and by some miracle, my name had been cleared without my having to do a thing. Today was going to be a good day.
Oz Savelle was a gorgeous, wealthy, possibly dangerous playboy, and I had known that when I opened my door and let him in yesterday. Getting all butt hurt over a phone number was silly. I just wished my chest would stop the tight thing it was doing because of it.
“Good morning.” Dr. Voy adjusted his bright blue tie and cleared his throat as he stood in the middle of the gymnasium floor and addressed the bleachers filled with the entire faculty and staff.
Eyes had been on me since I’d walked in the door. Many were shocked, and they didn’t even try to mask it. Most though had done their best to smile at me and act as if my being here had been expected. I kept my attention forward, thankful this was going to be a short meeting since the early drop-off would begin in fifteen minutes.
“This week, a rumor was spread throughout the school, as you all know, and it needs to be cleared up. Yesterday morning, Miss Cagle gave Mr. Clairton false information. After looking into the matter, it has been found that she not only lied to Mr. Clairton, but also started the rumor herself. Miss Gerard,” he said, looking at me, “was the victim of this nasty attack.” He cleared his throat again, and a severe look came over his face.