“Thank you,” she told the teachers before turning to Jordan. “Let’s just go.”
“No, I want to know why,” he stated still angry at the things Stephanie had said about Mel.
“Because they’re jerks that’s why, Jordan. Come on,” she tried putting her hand on his face to force his gaze towards hers. “Let’s forget them; help me with these, all of them?” she asked quietly.
“You’re going to wear both of my rings now?” he said as his face softened towards her.
“Well you did just blow our cover,” she teased as he took the necklace and fastened it around her neck for her.
“I’m sorry, I just couldn’t stand listening to her talk like that about you, baby.”
“It’s fine Jordan. I told you it’d come in handy to keep it quiet, didn’t I?” she said as he slid her emerald ring on then followed it with the wedding band, kissing them before pulling her in for a hug.
“Would you like to join us?” Mr. Nelson asked. “If you want to press charges…”
“No, all I want is to get as far away from them as possible,” she said and Jordan backed her up fully.
“I understand,” he stated. He and Coach Ross ushered Stephanie and Andrew away as the rest of the school turned to stare at her and Jordan.
“Well, I guess this means I don’t have to keep it quiet anymore, do I?” Tate asked with a grin that she knew meant trouble. He raised his voice and stated, “Anyone who’s staring might want to take a picture cause they’re not going to hang around to be gawked at…that’s right people nothing to see here. Move along…move along…just a high school senior and her husband, nothing unusual there.”
“I am so going to kill you,” Mel laughed under her breath at him as she accepted his hug before Jordan pulled her against him and they began to walk towards the front door.
“Oh right my Jeep, hey Tate can you drop off the Jeep at our place?” she asked tossing him the keys. “I’m just going to ride with Jordan.”
“Sure thing Mel; do I get to play in the man cave?”
“Don’t touch the steaks in the fridge,” Jordan warned him.
“I won’t, at least not until Mel gets home to cook them,” he answered heading into his next class.
Jordan stopped her outside as they turned the corner. She was quite aware that they were standing in the middle of the quad and that there were hundreds of people possibly watching them.
“Jordan, thank you,” she stated.
“I didn’t do anything,” he argued as he pulled her into his arms and gently raised her chin.
“You defended me, you made sure no one could put a dirty spin on the rings and the necklace, and you showed up when I needed you, so thank you,” she said reaching up on tiptoe to kiss him.
“Behave Mrs. Turner,” he teased as they pulled apart. “Your classmates are about to be scandalized.”
“Ah but I’m supposed to be on my way to becoming Mrs. Holmes. So what do you say we get to work? I don’t think the boss would like it if we were caught making out; I mean he happens to be my husband.”
“Is that right? Well I’d best get you to him then, shouldn’t I?” he stated twining their fingers together as they headed to his truck. “Are you sure you’re okay Mel? With our status coming out and what they did today?”
“I will be,” she said, with a sigh as she settled back into the seat.
“Good, I have to say not having to watch what I call you will be nice, though I do have one question.”
“What’s that?” she asked turning her head to look at him.
“Why did you tell them the necklace was only worth seventy-five and the ring a hundred when they’re both worth at least five times that much?”
“I didn’t want someone taking it and hiding it because they knew how much it was worth in case they were simply missing, but I also wanted them to know that they weren’t some little knockoff. I’m proud to wear them both, you know that.”
“Yes, you did thank me quite well for the Christmas present once we were home,” he teased kissing her hand.
“Jordan!” she scoffed as a blush crept up her neck.
