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“He’s the best daddy in the world.”
Aspen skips back to her desk, and that one statement hits me directly in the gut.
My attraction to Dean just became a lot more complicated.
I don’t only know his daughter. I teach her five days a week, and she already trusts me.
If Dean and I ever took this any further, what would happen if it ended badly? I would still be Aspen’s teacher. She would still walk into my classroom every morning.
Hartwell is too small to avoid anyone, and Aspen doesn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of something neither Dean nor I have even figured out.
We haven’t kissed yet, and I’m already imagining every possible way it could go wrong.
That seems healthy.
* * *
The rest of the day passes smoothly, and much to my disappointment, Dean isn’t the one waiting for Aspen at pickup.
Instead, it’s the same woman who has collected her throughout the week. I’m guessing she’s her Nan.
She approaches me with an easy smile and holds out her hand.
“Hi, honey. I’m Trudy—Dean’s mom and Pen’s Nan.”
“It’s lovely to meet you.” I shake her hand. “I’m Blair Morgan.”
Trudy is stunning in that completely unfair, effortless way. Her thick blonde hair is pulled into a loose ponytail, with several pieces falling around her face. She’s dressed simply in jeans and a soft knit sweater, wearing barely any makeup, yet she still looks better than I do after forty-five minutes in front of a mirror.
Suddenly, Dean’s genetics make a lot more sense.
“So, you’re the famous Miss Morgan,” Trudy says, her eyes brightening.
“Famous?”
“You were quite the topic of conversation at dinner last night.”
I laugh awkwardly. “I’m not sure whether I should be concerned.”
Trudy waves away my discomfort. “Don’t panic. Aspen did most of the talking. The rest of my family is just nosy.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“She thinks the world of you,” Trudy says, glancing toward Aspen. “Thank you for making this change easier for her.”
“She’s a wonderful kid. I’m lucky to have her in my class.”
Trudy’s expression softens. “Have a good evening, Blair. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”
She gathers Aspen’s backpack and takes her hand before they head toward the parking lot.
Trudy is warm, laid-back and only slightly invasive.
I like her immediately.
Which probably doesn’t make the situation with her son any less complicated.
* * *
