Page 105 of The Headmaster’s Rule

Paige’s brow dips. “What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure, but it feels like more than the usual teen stuff. You’ll probably meet him soon.” A wicked smile curls Juliana’s lips. “And wait until you meet his dad, Jake Ashby. He’s got this quiet, brooding vibe. Might be the sexiest single dad at the school.”

I feel my brows spring up. “Oh, boy.”

“Uh-huh.” Juliana nods. “He builds boats in that old shed on the beach, so you know he’s good with his hands.”

Paige laughs uncomfortably, as she usually does when Juliana says something inappropriate. “I’ll keep an eye out.”

Rowan joins the conversation again, glancing from Juliana to someone across the lawn, tone laced with amusement as he says, “Isn’t that him?”

The three of us follow Rowan’s gaze to the guy working on the boardwalk. Tall, early forties, sandy-blond hair and scruff laced with silver. He’s in faded jeans and a fleece-lined denim jacket over a worn fisherman sweater, a nail between his teeth as he reaches for the next board. His large, callused hands haul the wood into place with ease, like he’s done it a million times before.

Beside me, Paige exhales audibly.

“That’s him,” Juliana confirms. She glances back at Rowan. “How do you know Jake?”

“I’ve seen him around, but I also take Cody for art. And you’re right,” Rowan agrees, softening. “He could use some support.”

Juliana nods, looking at Paige again. “We can talk more after the fundraiser.”

But Paige doesn’t answer. She just watches, mesmerized, as Jake grabs another board, nailing it to the boardwalk. Juliana sends me a knowing smirk, and I laugh, nudging Paige.

“Are you okay?”

“What?” She blinks at me, cheeks staining crimson. “I’m fine.” She tries to shake it off, but the breathless note in her voice betrays her.

“He’s hot, right?” Juliana says.

Rowan scoffs, something almost defensive in his tone as he says, “He’s my age.”

“So? Some women in their twenties happen to like men who are older.” Juliana gives Rowan a pointed smile.

I bite my lip, relieved she doesn’t look at me, but Rowan doesn’t fare much better. He shifts his weight, red creeping up his neck. I remember what Juliana said in the tiki bar about her friend Ayla having a crush on him, and the implication that something happened between them.

“I need to get more student artwork,” he mumbles, tugging absently on the leather cord around his neck as he walks stiffly across the lawn.

I turn to Juliana, steering her back on track before she can cause any more trouble. “Jules, are the table centerpieces ready?”

She nods. “They’re ready.”

Paige, who seems to have recovered, crosses the lawn to adjust a sign. I watch her carefully straighten it, her gaze drifting to Jake when she thinks we’re not looking.

Juliana chuckles beside me. “Well, this should be interesting.”

I laugh, shoving her. “Go find something to do.”

“Fine.” Her voice is full of drama, but she’s smiling as she wanders off.

Checking over my list again, I’m pleased to see we’re on schedule. We’ve been out here all day, along with the parent volunteers and a few senior students, but now I wave goodbye and thank the group as we wind down. It’s 4:30 and we’re losing light, save for the string bulbs in the trees around the tent. I notice a few of them have slipped loose, and, setting my clipboard aside, I drag a ladder over to fix them. The ladder wobbles slightly as I climb, reaching into the branches to restring the lights, but then it steadies. I glance down to find Theo at the bottom, holding it with firm hands.

“You shouldn’t be up there,” he murmurs, brow low.

“It’s fine. I’m nearly done.”

From here I can see Rowan bringing out the student artwork, the lights from the large window in the art room glowing in the fading evening light. Jake has finished the boardwalk and begins packing up his truck, Paige pretending not to notice as she examines the students’ work. Juliana’s debating table layout with Danny, who’s checking the sound system in the tent as the last of the parent volunteers trickle to their cars.

I finish with the lights, about to climb down, when Theo’s hand brushes my ankle. The kind of touch no one else would notice, but I feel it all over my body.