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I sigh, picking at a blade of grass. "It's been... challenging. End of the year stuff always is, but this time feels different. Maybe I'm just getting old."
Rendal snorts. "If you're old, what does that make me? Ancient?"
"Well, if the shoe fits..." I tease, feeling some of the tension melt away.
He clutches his chest dramatically. "Ouch! Wounded by the angel herself. I may never recover."
I can't help but giggle at his antics. It's amazing how easily he can lighten my mood.
"But seriously," he continues, his tone softening. "You're doing great, Chloe. Those kids are lucky to have you as their teacher."
His words warm my heart. "Thanks, Rendal. That means a lot."
"I mean it," he insists. "You pour so much into your work. It's inspiring, really. Just don't forget to take care of yourself too, okay?"
I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. It's been a while since someone's shown such genuine care for my well-being.
"I'll try," I promise. "Though it helps to have someone around who brings me coffee and takes the kids on adventures."
Rendal grins, puffing out his chest. "Well, lucky for you, I happen to be an expert in both those fields. It's like I have a PhD in this shit."
I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in days. "Oh really? And where did you get this prestigious degree?"
"Chloe University, of course," he says without missing a beat. "I'm at the top of my class."
"Mm-hmm," I hum, pretending to be skeptical. "And what exactly does this curriculum entail?"
Rendal starts ticking off points on his fingers. "Coffee delivery, kid wrangling, sushi appreciation, and of course, the fine art of making beautiful kindergarten teachers laugh."
His words make me blush, and I duck my head to hide my smile. "Well, I'd say you're excelling in all subjects."
"I'm an ambitious orc. I've been valedictorian before, so that's not surprising."
I scoff. "I'm starting to think that all of these compliments are getting to your head."
He shrugs, leaning on his arm while he smirks at me. In my peripheral vision, our girls continue to run around the playground, their giggles echoing across the clearing.
As the evening sky soars above us, I know that there's no place I'd rather be than right here with Rendal.
CHAPTER 12
Rendal
Istand in the kitchen, the savory aroma of roasting chicken filling the air. My hands move on autopilot, chopping vegetables for a salad while my mind races with thoughts of Chloe. The sound of little feet pattering across the floor pulls me back to reality.
"Daddy, can I help?" Zola asks, her big blue eyes looking up at me expectantly.
"Sure thing, sweetheart. How about you set the table?"
She nods eagerly and scampers off to grab the plates. I can't help but chuckle as I watch her carefully carry each dish to the dining room, her tongue sticking out in concentration.
"Hey, Zo," I call out. "What do you call a fake noodle?"
She pauses, tilting her head in confusion. "I don't know, Daddy. What?"
"An impasta!" I deliver the punchline with a grin.
Zola groans dramatically, but I catch the smile tugging at her lips. "That's so bad, Daddy!"
