“Well, I like to know that the people I’m employing make good decisions, so yes, it might.”
“But legally, it can’t,” I add.
“We’ll talk soon, Ms. Katherine.” He nods toward Duke and I before turning away.
“What the fuck is up with that dude?” Duke groans. “Fuck.”
“It’s my fault. I kissed you.”
“No, it’s not your fault. I kissed you back. I want to kiss you again right now.”
My chest swells and I lean into his arms like nothing else matters because right now it doesn’t. Principal Hayes can fire me, call my dad, tattle, heck, the whole town can turn against me. None of that matters because I have everything I want and no one is ever going to take it away.
“I’ll talk to your dad before anyone else gets to him.”
“Let’s do it together tonight. I don’t want you to handle this alone. He needs to see how much I love you.”
A long pause stands between us, and the wind picks up, twisting snow in every direction before Duke lands his big, calloused hand on my cheek. “I love you more, Kitten. If you want to tell him together tonight, that’s okay with me.”
My stomach twists in knots as he says the words I’ve been desperate to hear for years. “Okay. Yeah, we’ll tell him tonight.”
“Ms. Katherine,” Emily shouts from the door she’s holding open. “Your classroom needs you.”
“You better go, Ms. Katherine.” Duke lands another kiss on my head, then walks me to the door before planting another one on my lips, this one right in front of Ms. Emily.
I have to say, it does something a little extra for me.
Chapter Eight
Duke
Every interaction with Wade all day is strained. I’ve known the man for most of my life. He’s like a brother to me. We’ve seen each other through so much shit. I hate keeping this from him, even if it’s just for a few hours. Mostly because I figure Principal Hayes will be on the phone with him before the end of the day and this whole thing will blow up in our faces.
“Jake is going to stay late to finish the trim on the floors. If you want to come in early to do the moldings, that works. Tomorrow I’ll be in to work on the last of the plumbing, so I can grab breakfast. The diner has a special on coffee and sandwiches.”
“I saw that. Three dollars is a pretty good deal for everything they’re offering.” I don’t even know what I’m saying at this point. Words are just coming out of my mouth. “Bacon alone costs more than that at the market.”
His phone buzzes in his pocket and he pulls it out slowly, scanning the screen quickly before answering it. “What the hell is Principal Hayes calling me for? God, I hope nothing is fucked up over at that cabin. He’s way up on the mountain. I don’t want to deal with that right now.”
Fuck.“Yeah, don’t answer it.”
He laughs. “Don’t answer it? Why wouldn’t I answer it? We’re kind of obligated to answer when our clients call.”
“The call gets forwarded to Charlotte, right? Let her handle everything today. We’ve got enough going on here, and you know Hayes. He’ll go on for days if you let him.”
My chest tightens as I wait for him to take the bait, but he doesn’t.
“Charlotte is busy enough. I’ll take it quick.”
He answers the call.He answers the fucking call!
What the fuck?I can’t let him hear this from Hayes.
My heart hammers.I can’t let him hear this from Hayes.
No matter what,I can’t let him hear this from Hayes.
Fuck!
