“My job?”
A server brought over their sandwiches. As they ate, Jack described his role as an environmental engineer at the college in detail. It seemed he had a terrific job that satisfied him.
“We’re both teachers,” he said as he pushed away his empty plate. “Tell me what it’s like being around so many little kids every day. I love Josh, but he’s a handful. How do you manage a room full of them?”
She smiled. “I love children. They’re so innocent, so full of ideas and so much fun. To see them learn and get excited about knowledge is fantastic. And yes, I have to have a lot of patience, but I’m doing what I love. What could be better than that?”
“You’re going to be such a great mother.”
She started. “Ah, thanks.”
“I mean, imagine a little girl with your looks and intelligence. She’ll have all the boys wrapped around her little finger.” He smiled, and the soft look he gave her raised her blood pressure. “She’ll need a big strong daddy to keep the boys in line.”
“You have babies on the brain, don’t you?”
He chuckled and lost his faraway look, thank God. Because if he’d suggested it, she might have been stupid enough to try making a few rug-ratsright now. Totally not on her agenda, nor should it be withhim.
“Blame my mother,” he said while she gathered her scattered thoughts. “She’s been going on and on about Dan and Julie, about my pathetic love life and how she might die before she sees grandchildren from me.”
“Wow. She’s really working the guilts.”
“That’s Mom.” He shook his head. “But I love her. Your parents leaving you alone about grandkids?”
“Well, my mom is always interested in my love life. Other than that, they’ve been mostly quiet.”
“Love life, hmm?” He dragged a finger over her cheek. “What other men do I have to worry about? You hiding a stash of lovers?” He sounded lighthearted, but a glint in his eyes had her wondering.
“Yeah, I have a whole harem of pool boys waiting on me at home.”
He relaxed. “I see. Guess I’d better up my game then. How about ice cream?”
“Ugh. I’m full.” And too jittery around him to eat. He made her nervous. She kept thinking about future babies and rings and a life with him, which only served to show she hadn’t learned jack—literally—from her mistakes in high school. “Besides, if I keep eating, I’ll blow up like a balloon.”
“Fine. You can help me eat mine. I have a hankering for mint chocolate chip.”
Her favorite. Did the man forget anything? “You suck.”
“Yeah, I do.” He wiggled his brows, and once again she recalled how they’d spent last night. She hoped she didn’t look as red as she felt as they left for the ice cream shop.
Because they had to walk home, by the time they’d reached her place, she didn’t feel guilty for helping him finish his ice cream.
“Well, it’s been a fun day.” She walked up the steps and paused at the front door when he latched onto her arm.
“Hell no. We’re not done, angel.”
She tingled at the endearment. “We’re not?”
“You have to try on that dress for me. Come on. Please?”
Recalling his plans to take it off her, she frowned. “No funny business. I’ll try it on, but you have to go after. I can’t be walking funny at school tomorrow. The kids will talk.”
He grinned. “Yes, Ms. Weaver.”
“If you were in my class, I have no doubt you’d be at the naughty desk all year long.”
He laughed and followed her inside.
She pointed to the couch, not trusting him or herself together in her bedroom. “You stay here.”
