“Has she talked to the school?” James asked.
“I’m sure she will if it gets serious. Don’t worry too much about it.” Eric shrugged and let out a small sigh. “I just wanted to be up-front about running into her. Figured you’d wanna know.”
“I do. Thanks. And thank you for stepping in and getting the guy to back off.” James took a sip of coffee. “Maybe I’ll send her a text later. Check in on her.”
Eric’s teeth snapped together, but he gave a small nod in response.
Hannah wouldn’t want that. She might even be annoyed that Eric had told James at all. But at least this way, his conscience was clear.
“Anyway, since last night fell apart, what are you up to today?” Eric gestured to the living room. “We can roll up on those recliners and turn on the movie.”
James scratched the back of his head and frowned. “I was going to study a little more, then maybe go for a run...”
“Two hours. Give yourself two hours—or three. I can’t remember how long those movies are—to zone out and relax.” Eric lifted his sandwich and shrugged. “I already worked out, and have no other plans than to devour this thing.”
It took a moment before James gave a small nod. “All right, I’m in.”
Good. Marvel and some lazy time made for a decent Saturday afternoon.
*
“I’m having anissue with the parent of one of my students.”
Once the words were out, Hannah felt a rush of relief. The principal of her school watched her closely, his lips pursed.
“I see.” Mr. Andrews nodded, tapping his pen on the desk. “What kind of issues, Ms. Jeong?”
“It’s a little uncomfortable to even bring up, honestly.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shifted on the hard plastic seat in the office. “Of course, what if I’m overreacting?”
“Overreacting to what?”
“This parent expressed interest in dating me when I ran into him at the store.” She kept her chin raised, determined not to be ashamed of this talk. “I, of course, turned him down since he’s the father of one of my students.”
Mr. Andrews tilted his head. “I see. So everything is well, then?”
“He seemed upset,” she admitted with a shrug. “And pressured me to accept. I think he might’ve even tried to follow me outside to my car, but fortunately, I was with a friend who stepped in to help.”
Eric, who’d mercifully posed as her boyfriend. Which had led her down an entirely different and strange rabbit hole.
“So this didn’t happen on school property?”
“No. I ran into Mr. Wentworth at the grocery store.”
Mr. Andrews ceased in his tapping and glanced at her, his brows drawing together. “Mr. Wentworth?”
“Yes.” Her bravado slipped a bit and a clammy rush of nerves assaulted her.
She could see the wheels spinning furiously in her superior’s mind. Oh no. Was it true? Was Harrison’s father really that influential with the school?
Mr. Andrews removed his hands from the keyboard and leaned back in his chair. He steepled his fingers on his rounded belly and pursed his lips.
“Ms. Jeong, I think it’s possible you’re blowing this out of proportion.”
Chapter Five
Where the hellhad that lie come from?
“Oh.” Her eyes widened.