Page 42 of Before We Break

Janet leans over and whispers in his ear, scanning the crowd before looking at me, then Clio.

“Right.” Milton straightens the papers against the desk and sets the back down. “Second order of business. Let’s address the elephant in the room, shall we?”

Janet’s devious smile unsettles me.

“It has come to the attention of the council that our very own Noah Weston and beloved preschool teacher, Clio Marsden, have been seen canoodling.”

Clio elbows me in the ribs, amusement evident in her tone when she says, “See. Canoodling. I told you so.”

“You’re insufferable,” I whisper.

“While we don’t make a habit of meddling in the love lives of our residents, there has been some legitimate concern. Namely, what will happen when this relationship dissolves. Will we be forced to take sides? How will the fallout affect Noah’s business and Clio’s students?”

What the fuck.

Clio stands, putting her ass within my eyeline.

Shit. Don’t look at her ass.

The last thing I need right now is a boner.

She straightens her spine, clasping her hands together. “With all due respect, our relationship is really none of the town’s business.”

She starts to sit back down but seems to think better of it. “And one more thing.” She points her finger aggressively at the council. “I don’t appreciate the assumption that our relationship is doomed before I even make it down the aisle.”

“You’re new in town, Clio, so you don’t know better, but Noah is what us old folks would call a Casanova.”

“He means manwhore,” Janet chimes in. “Or… what’s that new-fangled term the kids are using these days?”

“Fuckboy,” someone in the front row calls out.

Janet slaps the table. “Yes. Thank you, Micah.”

Milton affectionately pats her hand above the table. “Thank you, Janet darling. I think they get the idea.”

“People change. Noah is a good, hardworking man and a wonderful uncle.”

Warmth spreads through me with each determined word out of her mouth in my defense. I know she doesn't mean any of them, but I’ve never had anyone stand up for me before. Not like this.

“But since you want to talk about my relationship with Noah, how about we address what’s clearly happening between two of our council members?” Clio says. “Milton, Janet… What do you have to say for yourselves? There’s clearly a conflict of interest here.”

A rush of pride surges through me, so strong and sudden it nearly knocks me on my ass.

That’s my girl.

No. Fuck. Not mine.

“Janet and I are very good friends,” Milton says. “We have been close for years. There is not and never has been anything romantic between us.”

Clio snorts. “Sure. Whatever you say.”

Ben widens his eyes and jerks his head toward Clio.

I narrow my gaze at him, mouthing, “What?”

“Help her,” he says through gritted teeth.

“Yeah,” Quinn says. “Show them you’re a changed man.”