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She just shrugged. “We all start somewhere, Fifi. Even though I spent years trying to convince you that you were a test tube baby, it’s true that even you came from one of Dad’s-”
“Mal!”
17
***Fiona***
“Whoa, Ms. Carter! Who are all these flowers from?” Nina, one of my students, stopped short in the doorway for a beat before rushing over to try and snag one of the cards from the three vases of flowers.
I held the cards up near my chest and smiled. “Nice try, Nina. I knew one of you would be too curious to help yourselves.”
Another one of my sixth period students groaned. “Just tell us who they’re from. Are you dating someone? Is it Mr. Dooley?”
I cringed inwardly at Mason’s question. Mr. Dooley had been the guy I hooked up with every so often and the idea that we hadn’t been one thousand percent discreet made me feel gross. I didn’t want my students knowing that two of their teachers touched each other.
Johnny answered before I could. “He’s a teacher, dude. He can’t afford flowers like that.”
I laughed before I could stop myself. “As sad as it is, Johnny’s right. These aren’t from Mr. Dooley. They’re from another friend. That’s all. Now, if you all would forget about the flowers and focus on today’s assignment. Portraits.”
A few kids groaned. Melanie held up her hand and scowled at the boy sitting next to her. “Last week Roman drew me to look like my head was three times the size it really is. If people are going to be bullies with their drawings, I think they should get written up.”
“It’s not my fault you’ve got a big head!” Roman slouched in his chair and snorted. “I just draw what I see.”
After a short amount of redirecting them and seat changes, they were set with their pads and charcoals, our medium of the month. While no one needed me, I opened my phone and looked at the most recent messages. Seeing a text from each of the men responsible for the flowers on my desk, I couldn’t help smiling.
Sebastian: I hope you like the flowers, angel. I want to see you. Will you give me your address or do I need to beat Jake for it?
Jake: Is it weird that I almost wish you had more men to tell about your pregnancy so I could keep seeing you every day?
Ryder: I want to cook for you. You loved food before but now that you’re pregnant, I’m hoping that sentence was word porn.
I slipped my phone back in my desk drawer and spent the rest of my day at work trying to pretend like I wasn’t floating on cloud nine. When it was time to head home, I physically couldn’t manage to carry all three of my bouquets and I was still trying to figure it out when Mr. Dooley stopped by.
“I heard the gossip today that you were popular but I didn’t realize just how popular.” He hurried over to help me carry two of the heavy vases. “Good for you.”
“Thanks, Matt.” I smiled at him as we left my room and headed towards the exit by staff parking. “It’s new.”
He bobbed his head up and down a few times. “Is that why you stopped messaging me back?”
I glanced around to make sure no one was close by. “We both stopped messaging each other, I thought. After that last time… It felt done.”
“Yeah, I guess.” He frowned. “It’s just weird that we never officially ended things and now you’re getting flowers at work.”
I started moving again, eager to get to the Uber I’d ordered since I needed to carry the flowers home. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings, Matt. I really thought that we’d both just decided it was finished.”
He sighed. “Maybe we did. It just feels weird to see you getting all these flowers. Is it anyone I know?”
I backed out of the door, opening it with my hip, and when I turned around, my gaze landed on Ryder leaning against a truck that probably cost more than both Matt and I’s yearly salaries combined. A smile broke out across my face and I bit my lip to try to remain controlled.
“Is that…”
Ryder pushed off the truck and his long legs ate up the space between us. He didn’t stop until he was just inches in front of me and it was only so he could lean down and press a kiss to my mouth. He pulled back slightly and searched my eyes. “Hey, angel.”
Matt cleared his throat and I flushed, remembering that he was standing there. I opened my mouth to introduce the two men, but Ryder must’ve seen how uncomfortable I felt because he stepped in to handle his own introduction.
“Hey. I’m Ryder. How’s it going?” He held out his hand and let Matt struggle to balance the flowers as he stuck out his hand to shake Ryder’s.
“Matt. I didn’t realize Fiona was seeing a celebrity.” The gaze he shot my way felt a little accusatory.
