“Then he has you fooled. He’s way bossier.”
“He’s not as sexy as you either,” she whispered.
I grinned. “Pleased to hear it.”
She looked around. “Is this, ah, your room?”
“No, it’s the guest room. I’m not going to pressure you, Raven. We have lots of time. You can stay here and be safe. That’s what really matters right now. I’m right down the hall if you need me.”
She reached up and cupped my cheek. “Thank you.”
I turned and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Anything you need, you just have to ask. Okay?”
“Okay.”
* * *
RAVEN
The day was surreal. Damien driving me to school. A quick meeting with Tracey and Mike. The lingering remains of the nightmare that flitted through my mind. I tried not to think of it too much. I had a lot of glimpses of Mike in the morning as I taught my class, surprisingly calm given the turmoil my life felt like at the moment.
Dark clouds gathered most of the morning, matching my mood. My little charges helped to distract me from everything outside the classroom. We started a new book, each child getting a chance to read out loud. I encouraged them, gently correcting the wrong words, helping them sound out some bigger ones. Around eleven, the rain started, and just before lunch, the lights flickered, and the power went out. It was an older building, and it happened a lot. I saw Mike standing outside my door, and he gave me the thumbs-up to let me know it was nothing out of the ordinary. A few moments later, the decision was made that, due to the fact that the power would be out for the rest of the day, school was going to be canceled for the afternoon. It happened on occasion. Giving the class a snack, I sat down and contacted the parents, arranging pickup. I was busy over the next while, parents showing up to pick up their children. I wished them all a good weekend, and when the last of my charges were gone, I sat at my desk with a sigh. The building was heating up without any air circulation, and I was too worried to open my windows. Damien called, his voice warm over the line.
“I hear school’s out early.”
I chuckled. “For some. I’m going down the block with some other teachers and will work at the coffee shop for a while. They have power. I can do my lesson plans. Mike said he would drive me there.” I paused. “I’ll be with others. He doesn’t have to stay.”
“Okay,” he agreed—far too easily for my liking. “But stay there until I pick you up. Do not leave, Raven. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll come around four to get you. That gives you three hours. Enough time?”
“Yes,” I said suspiciously.
“What?”
“You’re agreeing to this very calmly.”
“I know you’re covered. That’s all that matters.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you then. Don’t leave without me. Even if someone offers you a ride.”
“I won’t.”
He hung up, and I pursed my lips. He was acting far too agreeable. But I stood, took my bag, and met Mike in the office. He drove me to the coffee shop and walked inside with me, going to the counter to get some coffee to cover the reason he was here. He left with a wave once I sat with a couple of my coworkers. I felt oddly vulnerable. I hated the feeling intensely. Even moving from a small town, I had never felt this worried or scared. I disliked Andy for taking that away from me and, for an irrational moment, resented Damien for opening my eyes to the fact.
Except I realized I was being stupid. He had done nothing but help me. And he was amazing. I was lucky he had been the man who had met me at the door of the bar.
With a sigh, I stood up and got a coffee and a muffin. I noticed a man in the back, meeting his eyes briefly. He didn’t appear interested in me at all, yet for some reason, he made me nervous. He sipped his coffee, worked on his laptop, and ate a sandwich. He got a refill, not even sparing a glance in my direction, yet I felt his presence somehow. I shook my head at my worries, then got to work with my fellow teachers, all of us sharing ideas and talking about our students. Chelsea taught grade one and Meghan taught the other kindergarten class, so we often swapped plans and thoughts. Chelsea left about an hour after we got there, and Meghan and I chatted for another while until her husband texted her, saying he was headed home early. She smirked at her phone.
“Guess I know what he has on his mind,” she mumbled, not looking put out. “You want a lift home?”
“No, I’m good,” I replied, suddenly anxious.
“Okay. See you Monday.”