He pulls out his phone and hands it to me. He bites his full bottom lip like he’s suppressing a grin, but it’s not working. Even when he tries to hide it, his untamable sunshine shoots out.
I unceremoniously enter my information in the most transactional way possible and hand it back to him. “There.”
“I’ll text you later.”
“Don’t.”
“Why not?”
“Is it regarding the safety of my daughters or home?”
He shrugs. “Could be.”
“Those are the only two topics you may contact me about.”
“What if I have a biology-related question?”
“You never had them when you were in my class, so why would you have them now?”
His hand flies to his chest as if someone shot him, but his teasing tone says otherwise. “Ouch. Let me make it up toyou. Why don’t you come over for drinks tonight?”
“Give me your phone. I’ve changed my mind. I’m deleting my number.”
He shuffles out of my reach. “No,” he chuckles.
I sigh and cross my arms. “My number is for emergencies only.”
Jonah watches me for a beat too long, his blue eyes bright, but they darken the lower they travel. A devilish smirk creeps over his face, and for a moment, I wonder if he even knows he’s smiling, or if his default expression is one meant to put people at ease (or turn them on).
He winks. “Emergencies only.”
I peek once again to make sure the girls are far enough away, but still I lower my voice as far as I can. “What are you doing here?” I ask, gesturing between us. “What’s your endgame?”
“Can a man not make a drink for a woman?”
“Not this woman,” I deadpan, and turn away. “C’mon, girls. We’re leaving. Goodbye Dane. It was nice to meet you, Neal.” I say nothing to Jonah.
Delta and Lo give the mare one more pat each, then run back toward the house the only way little children can, without a care in the world and floating on a breeze.
I walk back, but before I’m out of earshot, Jonah calls out, “I’ll text you.”
The girls are almost to the house and can’t see me, so I flip him the bird without turning around.
“Mom, can we go visit Ginger again?” Delta asks once we’re back in our yard. “Did you know she’s blind? Can we take her carrots?”
Loretta glues herself to my side and tugs on my shirt, her eyes the size of twin moons, and her smile vibrant. It’s her way of saying please, and what I wouldn’t give to hear her actually say it.
I can’t deny them this. My daughters deserve their ownhorses, and if I could, I’d give them stables full. So with a reluctant nod, I agree they can visit Ginger another daywithmy permission and supervision.
Squeals curl around the yard and find their way into my heart as the girls cartwheel and somersault away.
I can do this for them, I think to myself. I can resist Jonah’s misguided charm for the sake of the children’s happiness.
I’ve done far harder things.
Jonah
I can’t stop the smile plastered to my face as I watch Renée walk back to her home while giving me the middle finger. She’s feisty. I didn’t know she could be. In class, she was always so mild-mannered and even-tempered, even when I was getting under her skin. Her voice was always calm, cool, and collected. But this side of her—and I’m not just talking about her pronounced butt I want to sink my teeth into—this firecracker side, is lighting me up.
