Page 47 of What Started In Deception

He pulled out his phone, opened his camera app, and hit the record button.

She frowned as she looked at him. “What are you doing?”

He zoomed in on her stunning face. “I’m recording your big moment. Plus, this might be our last image of you with your eyebrows.”

She glared as she settled her hands on her hips. “Very funny.”

He tipped his head back with his next big laugh, having a hell of a time messing with her.

She struggled with a grin, eventually giving in to her laugh as she shoved at his arm. “You’re a bully.”

He shook his head, still chuckling. “You’re a good sport.”

She rolled her eyes, smiling while she shrugged. “I’m ready to learn if you’re done teasing me.”

“I’m done teasing you.” He refocused the camera to include her and the grill, wanting to record the whole experience. “Okay. You want to make sure the lid is open, which it is, so go ahead and open the cabinet and twist the gas all the way on.”

She bent down, doing as he instructed. “Got it.”

“Good. Now, turn the left knob to high.”

She did, wincing as she quickly looked at him.

“Stand back a little and hit the ignite button right there to the left.”

She winced again as she pressed it, and the flame turned on along the burner. “It’s on,” she said, beaming at him.

He smiled as he held up his hand for a high five. “Yeah, it is. Great work.”

She continued to grin at him as she slapped his hand. “Thanks for the tutorial.”

“Anytime.” He stopped recording and turned on the other three burners, closing the lid to start heating the thing.

She smiled at him again. “This was a good idea, Ty.”

He shrugged. “It was your idea. I just suggested bumping up the timeline a little.”

“I’m glad we did.”

“Me, too.” He snagged her hand, and they started walking through the garage. “How about we get those burgers ready?”

She nodded, smiling again. “Okay.”

Chapter Thirteen

Lydia walked out of Heights Elementary with Ty by her side, satisfied that a major to-do had been crossed off her summer list. For most of the week, she’d been eagerly anticipating the delivery of her new classroom table and chairs. When the truck pulled up shortly after lunch with three large, heavy boxes that two men plunked down in the middle of her driveway, she’d been slightly less excited. “Thank you for helping me get all of that stuff over here.”

“No problem,” he said, dressed in a dark-green tank top and black athletic shorts, moving with her down the sidewalk toward the staff parking lot. “Having the truck comes in pretty handy.”

“Yes.” She nodded enthusiastically, wearing a sage-green sleeveless shirt and ripped short shorts. “Thanks for helping me put everything together, too. You shaved a couple of hours off my August classroom prep time.”

“I’m happy I could help.”

“I’m happy I have my half-moon table. It’ll make things so much easier when I pull the kids over for their small groups.”

“What do you do in the small groups?”

“Math at one point in the day and reading at another. It allows me to break the kids up based on their academic needs and give them more attention. It also gives me the opportunity to regularly see where everyone’s at so I can make sure no one’s falling through the cracks.”