“Okay, kids, that’s enough questions for Mr. Coleman right now. Finish your art projects, please,” Akira said. “If you have any questions, you can direct them to Mr. Wrigley.”
Mr. Wrigley’s short gray hair had receded to the top of his head, so that it sat there like a tiara. He had glasses as big as his smile. Clearly, this was the volunteer Akira had mentioned at lunch.
“Right this way,” she said to Ben quietly.
He’d learned early in his teaching career that he had to stay on top of his classroom. If he let it slide, even for a couple of days, he’d find himself buried in mess. It looked like Akira had learned the same lesson. She kept this place organized ... except for her desk. Stacks of loose paper took up most of the space. Two empty mugs sat on top of a calendar. One mug said,It takes a village!The other one said,One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.—Malala Yousafzai. Mechanical pencils lay everywhere, like trees fallen in a forest.
He took the chair she’d placed next to hers.
She opened a document on her computer titledScience Unit, then set her fingertips on the keyboard. A moment passed. Then several more.
He filled the silence. “What did you have in mind for the science unit?”
“Oh ... What didyouhave in mind? I’m open to your superior knowledge on the subject.”
“What aspects of science are the kids learning at this age?”
“Um ...” She regarded him with kindness but didn’t answer. It was as if her mind were a hundred miles away.
He finally repeated his question. “What aspects of science are the kids learning at this age?”
Again, an unusually long pause. “I really ... um ... don’t know.”
“But you’re the director of the after-school program here.” He grinned. “Right?”
A merry laugh broke from her. Gently, she leaned her forehead on the top edge of her computer, then shook it from side to side. Straightening, she met his eyes. “I’m going to confess something to you, and afterward you’re going to think I’m weird.”
He already did think she was weird, but he said, “No, I won’t,” because that was the reassuring thing you were supposed to say.
“Did you notice the other day at lunch that I hardly spoke?”
“I don’t have any problem with quiet people. If you met my family of loud talkers, you’d know why.”
“And now I’m acting like a space cadet in front of you. The truth is ...” She drew in a breath. “I think you’re very handsome. So much so that it’s scrambling my brain. I apologize in advance for any further awkward behavior that is probably forthcoming. Even presently forthcoming.”
Her words surprised him so much that he didn’t move or blink.
Her presence at lunch had been small, and he hadn’t taken much notice of her.
But after that little speech, she had his full attention.
Her skin was a beautiful shade of light brown. The apples of her cheeks were round and defined. Thick lashes surrounded intelligent eyes. The large silver hoops in her ears matched the two silver bracelets she wore next to her smartwatch.
“You ... think I’m handsome?” he asked.
“Don’t sell yourself short. I believe I saidveryhandsome.”
He chuckled. “Thanks.”
Before he fell for Leah, he used to go out a lot, and not just with women he was into romantically. He could have fun with just about anyone because he liked getting to know people. It was way past time for him to get back out there. “If you want to hang out sometime, then let’s do it.”
“It’s nice of you to offer that, even if the offer was motivated by pity.”
His brows lifted. “Have you looked in the mirror? I don’t think any man has asked you out because of pity.”
“Unfortunately, I can’t accept.”
Again she’d surprised him. “Why?”
