Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
“Never going to happen.” Suddenly, his eyes narrowed ahead of us near the doors to backstage. “Sloane.” His voice boomed, drawing even more stares our way.
The blond in question startled at his voice, and she turned toward us. Sloane offered a small smile, though her eyes darted away from Walker. “Hey.”
“Do you want in there to be with Callie?” Walk asked, reaching for the door to backstage.
“Oh, I don’t think I’m allowed inside.” She looked edgy. “But Callie was really nervous, and I feel bad I’m not with her.”
“Come on,” Walker urged. “We’ll take you in.”
“Are you certain?”
“Aye.”
She looked at me.
“If you being there will calm Callie, then you should be there.” I gestured for her to go ahead of us, and she smiled gratefully.
Backstage was a clamber of noise as the kids milled around in costume, laughing, shouting, and chasing one another. Adults moved around them, trying to get organized, while David practiced on the piano in the corner. Monroe told me they were starting with the upper school (our musical) and ending with the lower school who were performing The Nutcracker.
Red hair glinted under harsh lights, and I spotted Monroe talking with Callie. My heart beat faster upon seeing Monroe in her element, and I wondered if that would ever go away. Would there come a day when I could look at this woman without feeling my whole body vibrate with life?
Sloane hurried ahead of us to get to Callie, and Monroe seemed glad to see her. Then, as if sensing me, she tensed and turned slowly to look in my direction.
Our eyes held, and she gave me a slow, gorgeous smile.
Everything else stopped around us.
It was just Monroe. Smiling at me like I was all she wanted to see too.
My pulse thundered as my fingers itched, and a panic set in at the thought of her walking away from me one day.
Fuck, I was terrifyingly in love with this woman.
MONROE
I should’ve been in a great mood.
The musical had gone great. There were only a few lines flubbed, and the audience seemed to find it adorable, so we were good. The kids got a long-lasting standing ovation from the parents and were full of energy as we tried to hustle them as quickly as possible to the seats at the front of the audience, now vacated by the lower school.
Attempting to keep jazzed-up kids quiet through the nativity wasn’t easy, but everyone was in high spirits and feeling very Christmassy. It was a natural mood booster.
However, the plays ended, and the parents were offered teas and coffees with baked treats before they left. During this reception, mums (and several dads) accosted Brodan.
They touched his arm provocatively and smiled and batted their eyelashes up at him. I was irritated.
Now and then, he’d find my gaze and give me an apologetic smile, but he never removed himself from the situations, so clearly, he got off on all the flirting and attention. Or … or he was deliberately trying to make me jealous to force me to lose the bet.
Well, wasn’t that an awful thought?
Was I right to guard myself against this man? Or was I blowing the whole thing out of proportion? Why did he have the ability to twist me up inside like this?
I whirled around so I didn’t have to see it anymore and almost collided with Haydyn Barr. “Oh, apologies.”
He smiled down at me. “No need. I quite enjoy beautiful women running into me.”
Flushing at the compliment, I laughed nervously and glanced around. “Where’s Michael?”
“Backstage with some of the other kids. I think they need to blow off steam after the big night. You did an amazing job. Michael actually enjoyed himself.” Haydyn chuckled. “I thought the only thing that boy enjoyed was Nintendo. Wonders never cease.”
A genuine smile teased my lips. “I’m glad.”
He reached out suddenly and touched my hair, tucking it behind my ear. I stiffened as he gazed into my eyes. “Stray hair,” he explained.
I patted the place he’d touched, feeling uncomfortable. Deciding it wasn’t fair to lead him on or allow him to think he could touch his son’s teacher without permission, I opened my mouth to tell him it wasn’t appropriate (especially in front of other parents) when I jolted at the feel of a large hand on my waist. Heat spread up my side as familiar aftershave filled my senses.
Brodan slid his hand possessively down my hip, leaning into me as he stared stonily at Haydyn. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced.” There was more than a hint of menace in his tone, and I stiffened against him.
Haydyn blinked rapidly. “Uh … no. Right. Brodan Adair. Pleasure to meet you.” He raised his hand to shake Brodan’s. “I love your movies.”
Brodan stared at Haydyn’s appendage like it was a bug. “That’s nice.” He looked back up at Haydyn, who suddenly registered how Brodan was holding on to me.