Chapter Fifteen
Twyla’s hands were clutched in her lap as they waited for Principal York to show up. Gunnar hated that she looked so worried, but the only way to really make her feel better was to get to the other side.
He was trying to be cool, act like he wasn’t facing a gnawing worry too, that Jim would demand she stay somewhere that wasn’t with him. He’d find some way to get her back, to make her his—as long as she still wanted to be when she was well again—but he hoped to god it would be easier rather than harder.
It wouldn’t be the first time he took advantage of people not bothering all that much over Twyla. Which he fucking hated, but which he wasn’t going to ignore. He’d use everything at his disposal to make her his. For real, forever.
Gunnar cursed under his breath for focusing so much on his own concerns and not enough on Twyla’s. He sat on the coffee table across from her and took her hands in his, which made her blink those pretty green eyes up to his. What color was her hair for real, anyway? He didn’t mind it like this, she’d be beautiful no matter what, but he was curious nonetheless. Felt like it might be a compliment to him if she no longer feel like she had to fight so hard, to pretend to be something she wasn’t.
“I thought after Principal York leaves we could maybe do some online shopping and then you could take a nap. Or if you’re not tired, watch a movie. What do you think?”
Her eyes lit up only to dull as she looked away from him.
“That sounds fun, but I don’t… I don’t have any money for shopping. I mean, I only had a little and I left it at my parents’ house and even that wasn’t a lot. I don’t actually know how I’m going to pay you back for all this.”
Panic and humiliation started to creep up her neck and into her face in the form of a mottled blush and he couldn’t stand it.
“Hey. Look at me.”
She did, looking like she was going to apologize and that wouldn’t do. She didn’t need to worry.
“Do you remember when I said last night that as your daddy it’s my job to take care of you? And that means anything you need, I’ll do my best to give to you. I’m a teacher so I can’t take you on a shopping spree to all those designer stores some of your classmates shop at. I think some of their purses cost about as much as my car.”
He smiled at her and the corner of her mouth tipped up in return. That was a good start.
“We can get you some good quality, comfortable clothes that you like. We’ll pick them out together so you don’t have to worry about spending too much, okay?”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I can’t wait to dress you up, little girl.”
“Oh.” Twyla smiled and flushed, this time with happiness instead of embarrassment. He was pretty sure, anyway, and he kind of liked the way her lashes fluttered against her cheeks. Sweet little thing.
He was about to lean over to kiss her on the cheek, or on the forehead since on the lips had gone badly before, but the doorbell rang and it wouldn’t do for Principal York to see that. No, wouldn’t do at all.
Before he stood, Gunnar looked Twyla in the eyes.
“Please do your best to be polite. You let me do the talking unless Principal York asks you any direct questions. I don’t want you to lie, but there are certain things that it would be better if he didn’t know.”
Like how you slept in my bed last night. And how much I liked it.
Twyla nodded, and he murmured “good girl,” just loud enough so she could hear before he stood to stride over to the door.
Hand on the door, Gunnar took a deep breath before he let Jim in. This was going to be fine. It had to be fine.
Jim York stood on the stoop, and it was at once incongruous and expected to see him in his usual principal garb on a Saturday morning. Jacket and slacks with a buttoned-up shirt and a tie, spit-shined shoes and his mustache trimmed. Did the man sleep like that?
“Come on in, Jim. Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?”
“No, thanks. I’m just here to see Miss Smith.”
Good. The sooner they could get this over, the better.
“She’s in the living room, right this way. She looks pretty bad and she’s still shaken up but she’s doing okay.”
Jim nodded as he followed Gunnar into the living room, and Gunnar had to bite his tongue to not address Twyla as little girl. He was going to have to get used to that since they’d be at school together in a little over a week.
“Twyla, Principal York is here to check on you.”