Page 34 of The Teacher

“Oh, really? Damn. That’s just what I was thinking will happen.” Skipper grins at me. Cheeky Skipper’s back.

And he makes me laugh. I have to cover my mouth to stop myself from spitting everywhere in giggles. He knows just how to make me laugh.

It’s good to see the cocky Skipper again, the vulnerable side is nice, but I prefer it when he’s all confident and sure of what he wants.

And, despite his jokes, I know he wants me.

Well, even with an apology, he’s going to have to work hard.

The waiter returns.

“Any decision on the drinks?” he asks.

Before I can speak, Skipper does. “I’ll have your most expensive Scotch, no ice. And my friend here will have a chilled glass of your finest Chardonnay.”

The waiter heads to the bar and I smile at Skipper.

“You still know my favorite drink after all these years?”

“Of course, I would, Miss Finn. Why would I not?”

“Can you stop calling me Miss Finn, it’s so irritating.”

“No, Miss Finn. You’re a teacher. I like how the students call you that.”

“Yeah, but they’re my students. They have to call me that.”

“I like it.”

“Stop it.”

“No, I think I’m gonna keep calling you that, seeing as it pisses you off so much.”

“Great.” For the second time that night, I roll my eyes. Yeah, he can be super annoying.

“So, what were we talking about?” Skipper asks, scratching his head in mock confusion. “Oh, yeah, I think we were talking about you coming back to my hotel suite tonight.”

“We weren’t talking about that.”

“Not even a kiss?”

“No.”

“A single kiss?”

“No.”

“A peck on the lips?”

“No.”

“Not even one teeny tiny kiss?” Skipper leans in and makes an exaggerated kissing sound with his lips. I laugh and shove his face away with my palm.

“Absolutely not, get that thought out of your head.”

The waiter returns with our drinks. A glass of white wine for me, a short glass of Scotch for Skipper. We cheers and settle back into the booth.

“This is nice, isn’t it?” Skipper asks.