I was finishing up my lesson plans for when we moved on to 'Pride and Prejudice' next week, but my eyes kept drifting up to the clock. Much like my students, I couldn't wait for the bell to ring, signaling the end of the school day. Normally, I stick around after school, grade some papers, straighten my room and prepare for the next day, but today all I could think about was picking up Renee' at three thirty. I couldn't remember the last time I was this excited about anything. Sure, it was only coffee, but it didn't matter what we were doing, I couldn't wait to see her again. The bell rang and I jumped from my chair, pushing through my students as I tried to beat them out the door. "Where is the fire, Mr. B?" "Sorry ... Sorry," I muttered as I reached the hallway, then started speed walking toward the exit closest to the teacher's parking lot. "John." I bit off the curse before it passed my lips, then turned to see who was currently stalling my swift exit. "OH, hey, Rebecca. Wh
I was overcome by nerves. All morning I couldn't stop fretting over this coffee date with John. I mean, what did I really know about the guy. Sure, I knew he was a good dad, his house was nice, and something about those glasses he wore made my body pulse, but I didn't really know him. Shoot, I hadn't even known he was a teacher until he had mentioned it in that text. Although, out of all the professions out there, high school Engligh teacher was better than assassin, or jewelry thief. But, when I stepped out into the storefront and saw him standing there, not even trying to hide his pleasure at seeing me, I shoved my doubts to the side and decided to dive in. It was just coffee, after all, it wasn't as if I was his new mail-order bride. There was no commitment being made. "Thank you," I replied, when his compliment penetrated my thoughts. I'dd probably tried on twenty different outfits before finally deciding on the blue dress. It was conservative, yet flirty. At least that is wh
I was almost done with my coffee, and things had been going great, when Renee' reached over and ran her finger over where my wedding ring used to be. "I, ah, noticed that you took it off," she began, and I knew there was a question in there. I closed my eyes for a moment, enjoying the light caress of her finger on mine, then opened them and gave her a weary smile. "I'd known Kayla all my life, our parents were friends, and we went to the same school together," I said, turning my hand under hers and holding it in place. "We started dating in high school, which made our families happy and we just sort of settled into things from there. It was never love at first sight, or a match made of passion." I paused, realizing my inner literature nerd was coming out, then I chuckled and continued, "Sure, we had the sweaty palms and stolen kisses of any teenaged relationship, but soon we just fell into an easy relationship. We went to college together, then Kayla got pregnant and we moved back
I floated through the storefront, across the kitchen, and into the office in the back I shared with my sisters. It was a good-size room. Big enough that you could fit three desks, some bookshelves and couple chairs. My desk was the smallest, since most of my work was done in the kitchen, with Jennifer and Suzanne having full-size desks, which were always put to use. While Suzanne's was completely covered and cluttered at all times, Jennifer's was organized and always clean. Suzanne had an old oak desk with decorating magazines, a large organizer and swatches all over it, while Jennifer's had a modern feel with crome finish and smooth lines. My desk was shoved up against the corner with a small purple chair tucked under it. It was white and feminine and held only my recipe cards, cookbooks and notes full of ideas. Jennifer and Suzanne had been talking about the wedding reception we had this upcoming Saturday, but when I walked in their heads turned to me and the
"Why do I have to go to Grandma's tonight? I want to stay home and play with Jess. I'll see hem on Sunday." Amora had been complaining since we got home from school, which had made trying to get her packer up, and myself ready for my date extremely difficult. I looked at my daughter, hoping was I was aout to say next was the right thing. We didn't keep secrets from each other, unless it was something I thought that she was too young to know, so I took in her scowling face and made a decision. "Dad's got a date tonight, so Mama and Papa said they'd watch you. THey said something about popcorn and movie night; I know you'll love that," I said, watching her closely as I spoke. Because she had my undivided attention, I saw her scowl deepen and eyes narrow. "A date?" she bit out, sounding more like Kayla than ever. "Yes, sweetheart, a date. I'm taking Renee' out for dinner at 'Prime Rib'." "Renee', from my birthday party?" Amora asked, her
I was watching by the window, without trying to look like I was. I didn't wan't want to appear too eager, or like I was waiting for John with my nose pressed against the glass of our storefront. So, instead, I was half hiding behind the door to the back, watching like a creepy stalker. I saw him pull up, park, and hop out of his truck. As he rounded the front, he wiped his palms against the side of his slacks, then pushed his glasses up his nose. He's nervous. I took a deep breath, a small smile playing on my lips, calm now that I knew he was feeling exactly the same way I was, and walked fully out into the storefront and to the door. John's head came up as he caught my movement and he broke into a happy grin. He opened the door as I approached and held it so I could walk out past him. My arm brushed his hand as I passed and I felt a tingle of anticipation run through me. "Hi," I said softly, a little shyly. "Hi," he replied, his
I don't know why Tanner's demeanor changed when he realized who Renee' was, but I didn't like it one bit. "Hey, brother, I'm not sure what just happened, but your tone and your face, are kinda pissing me off," I warned, low enough so his employees and Renee' couldn't hear me, but so that he definitely could. Tanner's eyes shot to mine and he grimaced, then said sheepishly, "Sorry, man." Then, he turned his attention to Renee' and took her hand back in his. " I apologize, Renee', it's very nice to meet you. John is one of my great friends and I trust his judgement. I'm sorry for being rude." Renee' looked at him uncertainly, then asked softly, "You don't even know me, so why ...?" Jericho looked over our heads, toward 'Three Sisters Catering'. "I know your sister, and let's just say, when things ended, they didn't end well. But, that had nothig to do with you, and I'm sorry for acting like an ass all this time. I'm happy to have you and John an
"Does it feel like you never get a break, working and living in the same building?" John asked as we walked across the street. Dinner had been perfect. Delicious food, easy coversation, and no more weird run-ins with Tanner. Now, we were on our way to my place for dessert and all of my earlier bravado had left me. I thought it was terribly sweet that John was nervous about being alone in my apartment and waht my expectations may be, and at first, I'd assured him easily that there was nothing to be nervous about. Then, over the course of dinner, my mind kept circling back to our conversation, and my nerves had grown. It wasn't that I was worried that he was anticipating a certain ending. I knew he wasn't, but my fear had grown from something else...Him. I liked him so much, and everything about him, about us, seemed to fit so perfectly, what if I somehow ruined it? Maybe I should cut the night off now, before I have the chance to screw things up. End on a happ