“Let’s find somewhere to sit,” Jake said, quickly finding three chairs and a small table off to the side.
We all sat down before Jake jumped up to grab us drinks. Megan and I sat in the chairs, facing each other and not saying a word. Jake returned, and I quickly grabbed the fresh Corona and twisted off the lid.
“How’s school?” Jake asked. It was a strange question since I had talked to him just yesterday about school.
“Good. We’re starting our outdoor lessons this week. It’s something I know the students will be excited about.”
“You’re a teacher?” Megan asked.
“Yes, at the community college,” I told her.
Jake felt the need to give her my resume. I looked at him, realizing he was up to something, just a little too late.
“Oh, hey, I need to go talk to Chase over there. You two sit tight. Chat about the weather or whatever,” Jake said, quickly leaving us alone.
Now I knew his game. He was trying to set me up. I looked at Megan, who was very uncomfortable. Did she know what Jake had been up to?
She looked at me and smiled. “Sorry.”
“For?”
She waved her hand between us. So, she had known. That is why she had looked so nervous walking into the barbecue.
“I’m the one who’s sorry. I had no idea he was going to do this,” I explained.
She shrugged. “We work together. I am one of the new paralegals at the firm. He asked if I’d like to go to a barbecue with his friends and his older brother.”
I shook my head. Leave it to Jake to be so forward.
“It’s okay. We can sit and talk or not talk. It’s a setup. My friends do this to me all the time. It never gets old, that’s for sure,” she said, taking a nervous drink from her beer.
“You don’t have to sit here. Feel free to mingle. There are plenty of eligible bachelors roaming around here,” I told her, feeling a little foolish. Her revelation made it very clear she wasn’t interested in me or even pretending like the setup was a success. I felt about two inches tall. I was going to kill Jake, slowly.
We both sat back in our chairs, drinking our beers that were quickly getting warm, lost in our own thoughts. My mind drifted to my upcoming week. I was excited to get outside, but I was dreading doing it without Tessa. I was going to truly miss her the next couple of days. I know it’s wrong. I’ve been wrestling with it all weekend, but no matter how much I tell myself to ignore her and get over these feelings she stirred up, it doesn’t work.
I took another sip of the warm beer, praying the food was served soon so I could make my escape shortly after. I want to go home and think about her. It pisses me off and makes me hate myself that I am so hung up on her, but it’s the truth. I’ll figure out a way to rid myself of the demon that has drawn me to her. I have to. I can’t lust after her or miss her or anything else with her. She’s a student. I’m a teacher. It stops there.
Chapter Eighteen
Tessa
I strolled down the hallway, doing my best not to walk too fast. I couldn’t help it. I was very excited to be back—for more reasons than I cared to admit. The hall was empty. I showed up early with the expectation he would be early as well. I knew it was wrong and very risky, but I wanted a few moments alone with him. It’s a terrible idea and I know better, but that naughty side of me won the war, and here I am.
I slid my key in the lock and pushed the door open. The classroom was dark. I was a little bummed he wasn’t here, but slightly relieved. I wasn’t sure what I wanted him to say or do when we saw each other, but I knew I wanted to see him.
Footsteps behind me made me smile. I stood there, unable to move, my back to the door. His footsteps stopped, and I could feel him in the room. It was like his presence had filled the space around me.
I took a deep breath and turned around. There he was, looking back at me. Our eyes met for a brief second, and then he smiled. The smile made me feel warm and tingly, creating a little sizzle of electricity that started in my toes and spiraled up and throughout my body to my fingertips.
“Hi,” he said, the smile still on his face.
“Hi,” I repeated.
He stepped forward, coming to a stop mere inches from me. I watched him, waiting to see what he would do next. In the back of my mind, I knew I should step away. I was playing with fire. I hadn’t turned on the lights in the classroom, and neither had he. We were alone, in the dark.
I could feel his breath on my face. I was still tingling from his smile. I felt primed and ready for anything, even if I knew it would be wrong and I would regret it the second it happened. I didn’t care. I wanted to throw caution to the wind.
I flinched when he held up a hand. He was going to touch me. Maybe pull me in for a kiss or caress my cheek before he kissed me. I waited, holding my breath.