“Sam, shut it.” Laura leaned closer. “Ann Weaver lives just two streets down from Dan and Julie.”
That he knew. And then she filled him in on what he didn’t know. Now he just had to figure out how to use it to his advantage.
Chapter Three
Wednesday afternoon Ann sat at her desk, still laughing about the day’s events.
Bonnie, a fellow teacher from the neighboring room, popped her head in. “Still here?”
“Almost done.” She couldn’t help it. She had to tell someone. “Did you hear what Garrett did at recess?”
Bonnie’s wide grin turned into a full-on belly laugh. “You mean when he dropped his pants?”
“And introduced everyone to his little butt, the Grand Canyon, and his front, the Eiffel Tower? How do they come up with this stuff?” Ann started laughing all over again, so hard she cried.
Which was how Jack found her moments later, trying to catch her breath.
“Is this good laughter, or hysterical find-me-a-straightjacket laughter? You deal with a lot of kids, so I’m not sure.”
Bonnie coughed and wiped her eyes. “Oh, the good kind. Sorry. Can I help you?”
“I’m here for her.” His self-satisfied smile turned on—annoyed—Ann to no end.
“I teach his nephew,” Ann clarified lest Bonnie tell half the school she had a boyfriend. Ann had her eye on the new fourth grade math teacher down the hall. And Bonnie liked to talk.
“Uh huh. Well, I’m off. See you tomorrow.” Bonnie winked at Ann before leaving.
Ann groaned. “Why did you have to say it like that?” She glared at Jack. “Now everyone’s going to think I’m dating one of my kids’ parents.”
“Uncle. You’re in the clear.”
She fumed. “Is there something you want?” His slow onceover made her blush. Damn him. She looked around. Seeing no one nearby, she decided the time had come to tell him off, to get the closure she’d needed for twelve long friggin’ years. She stood up and rounded her desk to face him. “I think it’s time we had this out.”
“I agree.” His suddenly serious expression took her aback. No more innuendo or jokey attitude.
“Yes. You had no right—”
“But not here.” With that said, he grabbed her by the arm and glanced around.
“What are you doing?”
He pulled her into the small office that connected her class and Bonnie’s. He checked the doorknob of Bonnie’s room. Finding it locked, he once more concentrated on her.
“Jack? Let go of me.”
He released her. “Just ensuring us some privacy.” He leaned by her to close the door they’d just come through.
The office wasn’t that big to begin with, but with both doors closed, she felt as if they stood on top of each other. The lack of windows and dim lighting didn’t help diminish the feeling of intimacy between them either.
She planted her hands on her hips, focused on being irritated instead of nervous at being so close to him. “I got your note that Josh went home with Brian today.”
“Good.” He took a step closer.
“So you didn’t need to come by.” She backed up and hated herself for it. When he took another step toward her, she forced herself to remain firm. “I think you should go.”
“I thought we needed to talk?” He had the temerity to raise his hand and stroke her hair, the same way he used to back in high school, when they’d been young and in love.
“Get off me.” Her voice shook, so she cleared her throat and tried again. “You were terrible to me in high school, and I—”
