He did know that.New situations made her anxious.It was what had made it easy for Mandy to talk her out of going to that hayride with him.She hadn’t wanted to risk ruining a friendship so much that she was willing to give up the chance for it to become something more.
“I have to get to work,” he said.“You’ll survive this time as concert director, and then, next time, it’ll be easier.”
She smiled.A real smile this time.“Thanks.You always know what to say.”
“That’s what friends are for, right?”
Friends.Only, and always friends.Until she married Steve and their friendship was completely lost.She hadn’t preserved their friendship with her refusal to date him back in high school.She had only put off its demise until she started dating someone – like Steve.
He looked at his watch – that he wasn’t wearing.“Anyway, I’ve got to run.”He needed to be anywhere but here.With her.
Chapter 8
Esthercheckedherphonefor the hundredth time.Okay, maybe she hadn’t checked it quite that many times, but it felt like it.She didn’t know why she had expected Fred to text her today – he hadn’t texted her in weeks – but she had still hoped he would.
Maybe it was because he had always sent her an encouraging message on days when he knew she had something big going on.Maybe it was because she wanted to send him a message admitting to how nervous she felt right now.
He’d know what to say to make her feel better, just like he had on Monday when she saw him atTheBaked Apple.The day when he had been chatting with Tiffany about some sort of plan they had for lunch.She’d dearly like to know what that was about.
She blew out a breath and peeked at the growing crowd in the gym while whispering a prayer.God help me find some calm.
“If it isn’t the prettiest teacher.”Steve came to stand next to her in the hallway.“Things are good down the hallway from all I saw.”
“Thank you for letting me know that.”At least, she knew that the before show things were going well.
“I’d like to give you a kiss for luck, but…” He looked up and down the hallway.“I know you wouldn’t like that.”
She smiled and then tapped her cheek.“If it’s quick,” she added.She probably shouldn’t allow it, but right now, she needed something – anything – that would help her feel calm.That would prove to her that there was someone who would accept her no matter what the outcome of this concert would be.
He gave her cheek a peck.“How daring of you, Miss Adams,” he teased.
She chuckled.“I’m not feeling quite myself, I guess.”She blew out a slow breath.
“Hey, look at me,” Steve said.“Someone is going to wave and call to their parents.Someone else is going to forget their lines.Another kid is going to break down in tears.That’s how these things go.We all know it and love our kids even if they are the ones adding the interesting bits to the concerts.”
She nodded.She knew it was true.This wasn’t her first concert.But...“And what if the teacher in charge faints or throws up?”
“She’s not going to.”
“I wish I could believe that.”She placed a hand on her stomach.
“The kids love you.You’ll be fine.”He tipped his head and studied her.“You know, Maddie gets anxious, too, and I always tell her to focus on helping others and she won’t feel those butterflies in her tummy.There’s always someone who might need us.Maybe that would work for you, too?”
Esther slipped her hand into his and gave it a squeeze.“Thank you for that reminder.This is why you’re such a great guy.”And she meant it.He was a caring man.She had known it even before she met him, just from how his daughter spoke about him.
“Five minutes Miss Adams,” Ms.Michaels, the principal, said as she made her way into the gymnasium.“Mr.White, you’ll want to find a seat.”She gave them both a pointed look that said they could have a private discussion on their own time and not during a school function.
And just like that, Esther’s nerves were taking flight again – though not for the same reason.The staff room whispers would likely increase after this.They were almost as bad as playground gossip.
“I guess if I don’t want to get detention, I should go find a seat as instructed,” Steve said with a laugh.
“And I should go tell the classes to start lining up.”
“Before you run away to do that, Maddie and I are planning to go out for ice cream or pie at the diner afterwards.Will you join us?”
“Sure.”
“There’ll be other parents and children in our group,” he cautioned before she could leave him.
