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Her smile makes me wonder if she senses my weakness for her. I suppose every lock has a key to break it open. After all these years, I didn’t think—I had hoped at least—she wouldn’t come close enough to try.
“I did save you tonight, didn’t I?”
First with my mom and now with the cat. I’m not sure what to make of it. A week ago, Brie was firmly out of my life. Now my reasons for staying away from her are starting to gray. I serial dated for a while, but no one ever gave me reason enough for me to invest for long. My desire to commit to Brie, however, had never been the problem. It was my fear of hurting her.
I step back. It’s the right thing to do and shouldn’t have happened at all. Brie deserves better. Besides, my mom requires all my attention. “Thanks, Brie. I owe you.”
My gaze drops to her mouth like a glutton for punishment. Not a kiss though. It’s off the table. I’ll think of a more appropriate thank you as soon as my mind recovers, and then I won’t have any reason to be near her again.
Chapter 9
Brie
It’smylastdayof school before the break and eleven short days until Christmas. It’s a contest to see who is more excited, me or the kids. They love their new books and each hug me ten times. I wave and watch them leave with their parents while others climb onto the bus.
I feel like squealing when the last one is gone. Last night has me acting giddy and extra smiley. Nothing happened. Nothing. So why do I feel like everything has changed? I swear Rockwell saw me last night. Not the high school ex-girlfriend fresh out of braces but the present, grown-up, not-overly-exciting me. And even more amazing, he didn’t look disappointed. In fact, I swear I saw a glimmer of interest behind his intense gaze as we said goodnight.
So much for me getting over him. I woke up feeling exactly as I shouldn’t.
I make my way inside the school and back toward my classroom. My phone buzzes in my back pocket as I pass the main office. I pull it out and read Melinda’s text. She picked up Samson from my place and said thank you for the hundredth time.
I quickly typeHave a Merry Christmasand slide my phone back in my pocket. I laugh under my breath, thinking about how scared Rockwell was of Samson. He’s a tough guy who folded over a mangy cat. For some reason, it makes him more human, and I love him more for it.
Love? I almost trip over myself. Like! We’re not even close to love. Our car chat last night has me forgetting what year I’m living in. I shake my head to rid myself of any more crazy thoughts. I sort of forgot to focus on finding his weaknesses and getting over him when we were laughing and talking last night. I have an ugly feeling I’ll live to regret this mounting hope.
Speaking of hopeless causes, I don’t know what Rockwell’s going to tell his mom about us. At least he doesn’t hate my friends and I for making things harder for him.
“Brie!” I turn and see Gabby jogging toward me in the hall. “You’re never going to believe this.”
“Believe what?”
She shows me her phone. It’s a text from her mom.
When did Brie and Rockwell start dating again?
I scrunch up my face. “You’re kidding me!” If Gabby’s mom knows, the whole world knows. And by world, I mean mine—the entire town of Bearwood.
“I’m sorry. She can be so nosy.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s probably Melinda again. I pull it out and groan. I show Gabby the message from my mom.
Make sure you invite Rockwell to the family party!
Gabby pinches her lips together in a sad attempt not to smile.
“Say it,” I groan. “This is all my fault.”
“That isn’t where I was going.”
“Then what?” I turn into my classroom and start cleaning up.
“I’m happy for you two. I never in a million years predicted this. In fact, I’ve been annoyed for a good five years that you couldn’t let him go.”
“At least I gave you two years free of annoyance.”
“Because I felt bad for you at first.”
I roll my eyes. “And I did let him go, for the record.”
