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Callie shrugs, looking completely unbothered.
“Believe it or not, Miss Donovan, I am completely fine being on my own.”
I watch Callie a little longer, wondering if she means what she says or is simply bluffing. I've taught kids long enough to know that making friends and fitting in can sometimes be a chore. Could it be the classic case for Callie too?
I know how odd it is to find myself drawn to the young girl. A part of me knows why. Losing a brother who had constantly exhibited the same signs she is, and then some, probably contributes to the connection I feel with Callie.
I understand why her classmates would feel that she is rude. But they do not know the things I do. At this point, I hope that her father at least does.
As I begin to pack up, completely done for the day, a shadow falls on my doorway. When I look up, my heart skips a beat as I find Mr. Vaughn at my door, pretty much exactly like that first day.
“Hello, Mr. Vaughn.” I greet in a calm controlled voice. I didn’t expect to see him today. The sight of him in that tux and those hazel eyes staring at me causes my body to tingle with instant awareness.
“Hello, Miss...” He starts.
“Donovan.” I supply. “I do remember telling you that you could call me by my first name.”
Sebastian just looked at me like I'd grown two ugly heads.
“That would be completely unprofessional, Miss Donovan.”
I gulp.
I don't know why but having Mr. Vaughn get my name right for the first time, causes my pulse to flutter. I frown at the strange sensation, knowing how improper it is. Maybe I am just hungry. Maybe, that is it.
“Oh,” I sighed. “That, um, I understand.”
Sebastian steps away from the door and enters further into the room, bringing with him the scent of his cologne that has my nose flaring. Cedarwood mixed with something that is uniquely him. I find myself fighting the urge to sway towards him, blinking the haze away from my eyes.
“I came here to talk to you about my daughter.” Mr. Vaughn says when he is fully in the room.
He is tall and imposing and honest-to-God intimidating. I wonder how I managed to stand up to him the other day. Where was all that courage now?
“Alright,” I say, trying to act all tough and confident.
I invite him to sit on the chair in front of my desk, but the man merely eyes the chair with a shake of his head. I feel a little stupid for inviting him to sit on a chair meant for my nine-year-old’s. There was no way his tall frame was going to fit into the tiny chair. The mental picture of those long legs trying to squeeze into the chair has me fighting a giggle.
Sebastian goes to stand by my window, looking out at the children who are laughing and giggling, and running around. I remain at my desk, taking in the sight of him at my window. It's a little hard to take in that I have one of the most powerful men in my classroom. The sight of that godlike man standing by my window gives me the desperate urge to grab my paintbrush and a blank canvas.
God, that was such an inappropriate thought to have.
“I took Callie to the hospital as you had unkindly suggested,” Sebastian says after a full minute of tense silence.
“About that, Mr. Vaughn, I understand it wasn't my place to try to tell you what to—"
“It's a little too late for that apology because I went right ahead and did as you instructed.” He cuts in, turning away from the window to flash those nearly golden eyes at me. Then, he begins to stalk toward me, and I wonder whether to run out the door or make a dive for the makeshift closet in the corner.
His eyes peruse my body openly. I feel a little exposed even though I am in gray slacks and a button-up top. Heat courses through me at the obvious look of interest in the man's eyes. I have never been affected this way by a look and can feel my body temperature heat up.
Mr. Vaughn comes once again to stand in front of me as he says, “It turns out that you were indeed right.”
I'm a little shocked that he is telling me this.
“You can gloat now.” He tells me as if he expects me to.
I shake my head at the man.
“I would never do that. I care deeply for Callie and knew that a test was the right thing to do. There is absolutely nothing to feel smug about.”
