six
Anne
I practically floatinto work the next day. My dreams were filled with silvery gray eyes and strong muscles. A deep voice and dark hair.
Zane.
I blush just thinking about him.
He seemed so perfect at the coffee shop. Everything I could have ever dreamed in a man. The way he focused his sole attention on me like I was the only thing on this earth that mattered, despite the cute little waitress who kept trying to get his attention in vain.
The way he stared directly into my eyes like he was looking straight into my soul. He seemed to truly know me. Like no one has ever known me.
That's crazy, right? We literally just met. How could I feel so connected to someone so instantly?
And the way his gaze kept darting down to my lips throughout the evening…the way they would darken as they looked at me, taking my breath away…I just knew he was going to kiss me.
But he didn't.
I was simultaneously relieved and disappointed. I'd wanted his kiss, but everything already seemed so intense, I didn't know what I'd do with it if I got it.
And Zane is such…such..a man. He's in his thirties, so I know he's more experienced than me. I'm sure he's had plenty of skilled lovers. I can't bear the thought of him being disappointed in a virgin like me if we ever…if we ever…
My cheeks are flaming, and I press my palms against them to try to cool them down before I walk into the school building.
I see Ron up ahead and start to give him a little wave and a smile. As much as I hadn't wanted a lunch guest yesterday, his company had actually been pleasant. He's witty and fun to be around, and I think he'd make a good friend even if I'm not interested in him romantically.
He's definitely no Zane.
However, as soon as Ron sees me, this curious expression passes over his face before he turns on his heel and starts heading the other way.
I frown, wondering if I somehow offended him yesterday. He seemed fine when he left my classroom at the end of our lunch break.
I mentally shrug and continue down the hallway. Oh well. I don't have the time or desire to mull over his strange behavior.
I lose myself in teaching my students, praising their progress and wondering at the magnificence of young minds. When children are as young as my kindergarten class, their minds are like little sponges. They suck up information so quickly. It's truly amazing.
Before I know it, the lunch bell is ringing.
For once, I'm not itching to write. Instead, my thoughts are on Zane and how we're supposed to meet for coffee again this afternoon. I get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it.
I go to my refrigerator to pull out a salad, but before I ever reach the appliance, there's a knock on my door.
My heart trips in my chest when I open my door and find the object of my daydreams standing right in front of me.
"Zane!" I can't keep the surprise from my voice. "What are you doing here?"
He looks halfway sheepish when he says, "I know we were supposed to meet for coffee later, but I couldn't wait that long. I had to see you again. So, I brought the coffee shop to you."
He holds up a to-go cup of my favorite toffee nut latte.
A flush creeps up my neck at both his words and the intensity in his eyes.
I take the proffered cup and step back to let him into my classroom. "No, that's okay. I'm glad you came. I wanted to see you too."
His eyes seem to light with satisfaction at my admission.
We walk over to sit at my desk. I can't help but notice how his eyes don't waver from me the entire time. He doesn't glance curiously around the classroom.