Page 32 of The Teacher

“Fine then. One drink.”

Skipper’s smile immediately transforms into a wide grin.

“Perfect. I know a great place,” he says. “It’s called Rockpool.”

I roll my eyes at the name. “I know that restaurant. It’s my cousin’s.”

“What? Your cousin Cliff?”

“The very same.”

“Cliff owns Rockpool?”

“Yeah, he does.”

“How is he? The last time I saw him must’ve been…”

“Eight years ago at that house party.”

Skipper smiles at me. “Shit. Yeah, that’ll be it,” he says under his breath. “How is he?”

“I honestly don’t know where Cliff is, the last I heard from him is that he’s fucking his way through half the female population in Europe.”

Skipper sighed. “That’s typical Cliff. Always a playboy,” he says. “So, Rockpool, do you have a problem with it, then? Especially it being your cousin’s place.”

“No,” I reply sternly. “As long as we’re not eating. This is just a drink. One drink. It’s not a date.”

“Sure,” he says. “Not a date. One drink.”

“One drink.”

“Let’s meet there tonight.”

11

SANDY

There’s a knock on my door. I go to open it and Skipper is standing there. His eyes light up when he sees me.

“Jesus, Sandy, you look amazing.”

I blush, but I know it’s true. I do look amazing. I’m wearing my favorite dress. It’s blue, matching my eyes, and tight in all the right places to show off my curves. I’ve done my long blonde hair into soft glam curls. My makeup is on point. I was shocked myself looking in the mirror. I really do look amazing.

“You don’t scrub up too bad yourself,” I reply, and that is also true. Skipper is in yet another suit.

Where does he get all these suits and where does he keep them?

Just like all his others this one is also perfectly tailored to show off his broad shoulders and muscular body. It also looks really, really expensive. I grew up around my Dad, who loves expensive suits, so I know a good one when I see one. And Skipper picks the best. His hair has been cut and there is not a strand out of place. Dress him up in armor and he would be the perfect live-action Disney prince.

“Shall we go?” he asks, offering out his arm.

“Oh, so now you’re acting like a gentleman?”

“What are you saying?” he asks in mock indignation. “I’m always a gentleman.”

“Yeah, right.” I roll my eyes. “Remember, this is one drink. Not a date.”

Skipper smiles at me like he knows it’s not true. Like he’ll somehow change my mind. “Of course. Not a date. Message received and understood, Miss Finn.”