“Wish me luck,” I called out to Trish, dropping my apple core in the bin as I headed out the door.
Stepping out onto the undercover walkway was like stepping into the middle of a stampede. Kids raced about in every direction, laughing and screaming. My class must have been excited. By the time I made my way to my classroom, almost everyone was standing in two lines outside the door. The two biggest troublemakers, Robert and Simon, standing proudly at the front of the line. They were up to something. I’d never seen them standing front and centre before. Let alone quiet and still.
“Is it time yet, Miss McCoy?” Robert asked hopefully.
“Almost. We just need to go inside for a bit first.”
The truth was we had half an hour to kill, and I had no idea what I was going to get them to do. Trying to get them to settle was a fight I wasn’t up for. Ushering them through the door, the other fourth-grade teacher, Mr Sullivan, appeared dressed casually in shorts, t-shirt, and a pair of bright-orange runners.
“You ready for this?”
“No.”
“Ah, come on, Elise. It’ll be fun. The kids will have a blast.”
“I know they will. They’ve been looking forward to this since I told them.”
“Well, I better go and try to wrangle the troublemakers. See you in a bit.”
“Sounds good.”
As he headed towards his own room, he turned back. “And, Elise?”
“Yes, Corey?”
“Bring your smile. You look gorgeous when you smile.”
I must’ve looked like an idiot. Standing at the bottom of the step, mouth gaping, I was stunned. Corey had never said something like that to me before. It wasn’t that he wasn’t a good guy, he was, but there was something about him that just didn’t click with me. It felt awkward. We were friends, colleagues, but we’d never be anything more. I just wasn’t interested in him that way. And up until now, I assumed the feeling was mutual. Now I was second-guessing everything he’d ever said and all the favours he’d done.
“Miss McCoy!” My name was called out, and I snapped out of whatever daze I was caught in. Hurrying up the steps I pushed away all thoughts. I’d unpack that mess later tonight with a bottle of wine and my best boyfriend, Jaxson.
Twenty minutes later I gave up. Making sure everyone had their hats on, I grabbed my own baseball cap and sunglasses before stuffing my phone in my bra. Leggings may have been the most comfortable item of clothing in the world, but they were missing something I loved more than I loved my cat, Snuggles – Pockets. What I wouldn’t give for a pair of leggings with pockets.
“All right. Remember. Best behaviour. We’re going to walk down to the back playground now.”
“Do we have to?” Willow whined. I would’ve liked to pretend hearing her complaint surprised me, but it didn’t. Not one little bit. Willow was the princess of the class. She cried if she got dirt on her shoes, and my classroom became hell on earth if she spilt something on her skirt. If she hadn’t been such an adorable little girl, complete with blonde ringlets and blue eyes, I’m positive she wouldn’t have gotten away with half the shit she did.
I didn’t bother to answer. Instead, I led my class of misfits towards the playground and prepared myself for an afternoon of torture.
By the time I got down there, Corey’s class was already running around while he sat in the shade under a tree. Standing on the sideline, next to a mountain of gear, was a group of adults dressed in matching purple polos.
“Hi! I’m Elise,” I said, waving as I approached the group.
A guy I hadn’t noticed stood up, towering over me. He was stunning. Almost a foot taller than me, scruff on his chin, and hands big enough to clasp the soccer ball he was holding. Under my baseball cap and glasses, I could feel my cheeks heating from the way he looked at me. When his eyes travelled down my body over my hips, I saw his Adam’s apple bob in his throat.
“Hey, Elise. I’m Marianne. I think we spoke on the phone, I’m the team’s publicist.”
“Yeah, that was me.”
“Great! So, here’s what I’m thinking…” For the next ten minutes, she went through her plan for the afternoon of skills and drills.
“Sounds good,” I agreed, trying not to stare at the guy behind her who was bouncing a ball on his foot, keeping the kids entertained.
“Great! Well, let me introduce you to Luca Conti, our celebrity for the afternoon, and we can get started.”
Huh? Celebrity? No one had said anything about a celebrity coming. If they had, I sure as hell wouldn’t have been caught dead wearing leggings.
“Luca!” Marianne called out.
