Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“Like as colleagues planning next year’s festival?” I was committed to making him earn that valentine he was apparently seeking.
“Like dating. Like you wear the shirt I didn’t appreciate enough on New Year’s Eve and I take you to a place a little fancy to finish saying sorry.”
“I suppose I could allow that.” I gave a haughty sniff reminiscent of Belinda Masters. Not surprisingly, the math teacher had been nowhere to be seen in the great room reveal. “I might allow it on Friday.”
“Friday. So far from now.” He groaned, then brightened. “But that’s enough time to summon my mother for overnight Grandma duty.”
“Already planning for a sleepover at my place?” Shaking my head, I put a hand to my chest in fake horror. “Bold, Mr. Winters, bold.”
The second bell rang, signaling we were all supposed to be in class by now. And I, for one, was right where I was meant to be. And despite giving Merry a hard time, I was totally counting down to Friday.
Thirty
Our roof is fixed! All hail Mr. Winters and Mr. Can-Do, who partnered with a local crew to make those pesky leaks a thing of the past. Want to help our efforts to beautify our building? There’s a list of donations we’re looking for outside the office. If you’re doing a post-holiday clean, check with us before you throw out that rug or old desk!
MERRY
Friday evening, I picked Nolan up from his place rather than Cara and Craig’s house. Nolan was renting a teeny cottage behind a bigger house in the same neighborhood as his family and the school. The cottage’s exterior was white with blue trim with an inviting sun-yellow front door. However, Nolan was waiting on a metal garden chair on the small patio adjacent to the door, limiting my options for a hello kiss. Of course Nolan would have to be so inclined and uncaring about an audience. The older couple he rented from were out on their patio as well, avidly watching the proceedings.
“I can’t believe I still haven’t been inside your little rental.” I dropped the heavy hint, but Nolan stood and crossed the patio toward me, away from the door and privacy.
“Later.” He gave me a heated glance, then turned all prim. “Maybe.”
“I’m going to earn that maybe.” Grinning, I gestured at his peach tuxedo shirt, which he’d paired with black slim-cut pants. “Nice shirt.”
“You did request it.” He finally offered me a return smile as we walked to my car. “And you wore the sweater we picked out together.”
“I did.” I opened the passenger door for him. Nolan was more than capable of situating himself in the car, but I still hadn’t given up hope of a kiss, hug, or some sort of warmer greeting. “It’s my new favorite top.”
“Good.” Nolan grinned more broadly, but no kiss was forthcoming as he slid into the passenger seat. Luckily, we didn’t have a Barney to contend with. The dog was home with my mother and the boys, who were having a taco night and a scary movie marathon.
As we exited the neighborhood, I took the highway toward Waikiki and all the upscale hotels of Honolulu.
“Oh, we’re going downtown.” Nolan sat up a little straighter.
“I did promise slightly fancy. Waikiki is good for that chichi feel.”
“I would have been happy with a food truck,” Nolan said pointedly.
“I know.” And the fact he was as happy eating a shared plate of garlic shrimp as he was at a fancy brunch spot was a huge part of why I’d decided to trust the idea of a relationship with him. He was adaptable and easygoing, but I had a specific surprise in mind. “But you’ll like this place I found.” A wave of doubts crested in my chest. Maybe this was a silly idea. “I hope, at least. Don’t expect too much from the food.”
“Merry.” Nolan leaned forward as I stopped for a red light at the bottom of the exit. “Are you nervous?”
“A little.” A muscle twinged in my jaw. “I know I hurt you by taking so long to accept your decision to stay and teach. I’d understand if you no longer wanted to give us a chance.”
“I’m not saying no to that at all.” Nolan sounded cautious but less distant than he had since the room reveal, which was good.
“That’s all I’m asking for right now. A chance.” I found a parking garage near our destination and led the way toward a particular hotel.
“Ooh. It’s a hotel restaurant?” Mr. I’d Be Happy at a Food Truck seemed rather perky at the prospect.
“You’ll see.” We entered the lobby, which gave away the surprise because a giant sign pointed the way to tonight’s showing of The Deadly Dinner.
“A murder-mystery dinner theater?” Nolan’s eyes were wide, but I had a hard time telling whether he was truly excited or simply being polite and a darn good actor.