Page 5 of Fall Fake-Out

“I don’t think he’d care. He’s a happily married man and too old for you.”

My lips purse in fake annoyance. “I meant, because we both might work at the school. If I get hired, we’ll be coworkers.”

“It’s a small town. If there were nitpicky rules about dating coworkers, no one in Autumn Ridge would ever get married.”

True.

The bell rings, loud and demanding, causing Wade to glance up at the ceiling.

“Class just got out.” He slaps his thighs, using the motion to help him stand. “You can start tomorrow.”

“What?”

“You’re hired. For the English position.” He pauses at the door, throwing a rakish smile my way. “Unless you prefer to be hired as my personal assistant.”

My brows lower in disapproval. “Don’t I need to talk to the principal? Interview for the job?”

“This was the interview.”

Flirting with me was the interview?

I sit in utter confusion, enough to make Wade walk back. My heart beats harder with each step. He places his hands on either side of me, leaning them against the armrests on my chair, his brown eyes level with mine. I want to swallow or fidget, but I can’t give myself away. So I hold still, stalling my breath.

“I meant what I said. It’s good to have you home, Ari.”

There’s a stirring in my chest as we hold that position.

Something about his country-boy charm takes me right back to high school. Right back to every time I fell for his flirtatious banter.

But I’m a different woman now. I have to be.

I can appreciate his charms without falling victim to them.

He pushes off the armrests and turns to leave.

“Wait!”

“Talk to Mrs. Albany about your schedule,” he says over his shoulder as he heads toward the door. “She’ll get you everything you need.”

“Wait!” I call again. “Don’t I need to talk to the principal?”

A student walks by just as he exits. “Hi, Mr. Stevenson.”

He gives her a high five. “Hi, Jenny. Don’t be late for your next class. You promised your mom you’d decrease your tardies by half this week.”

“I know. I’m hurrying.”

As their voices fade, that’s when it hits me.

Wade Stevenson is the principal.

Ari

I drive the loop around Main Street just to orient myself with the town again.

The Velvet Wick Candle Shop has a new sign.

Keller’s Bakehouse repainted the outside.