And damn if that didn’t nearly break my resolve to leave but when I heard the bolt slide across the door once she was inside, I knew it had been the most perfect goodnight I’d ever said to a girl.
Chapter 24
High Hopes – Panic! At The Disco
Cassidy
Stretching lazily, the excitement in my stomach rolled through me, to every inch in my body. My fingers, my toes, my everything. I felt exhilaration like I’d never felt before. Like I wanted to jump out of bed and run five miles. Hmm maybe not, my bed was lovely, warm and cozy. Looking up at the bedroom ceiling my cheeks ached with smiling.
“Oh my God.” I kicked my legs up and down like an over-enthusiastic kid waiting to open their Christmas gifts. The eek that fell from my mouth was loud and high-pitched, but I couldn’t help myself. Gunner had kissed me again, or I’d kissed him, but it didn’t matter. We kissed and we had an amazing date. It had been a perfect date. He hadn’t even let me pay my share. He’d insisted on picking up the whole check, growled at me in fact. A growl that I was beginning to like. A growl that sent a little shiver through my core. A growl that I only thought existed in romance novels.
Glancing at the clock on my nightstand, I realized that I needed to get ready for work. As much as I would have loved to have stayed in bed and relived every single moment, word and touch, I had a job to get to.
“Miss. Turner…Miss. Turner…hello.”
I shook my head and quickly turned to the voice shouting my name. It was Elodie, one of my pupils and Bertie’s best friend. Concern in her bright blue eyes.
“I’m sorry, Elodie, how can I help?” I’d been distracted with thoughts of Gunner and our date. Wondering whether he would invite me out again.
“The bell went for lunch, but you didn’t say we could go.”
I glanced at the clock on the wall and was startled. “Yes, of course, sorry. All of you, off to lunch now.” The whole class was already lined up at the door, good well-behaved kids who always did as they were asked.
“Woah, thank goodness,” Bertie groaned, rubbing her stomach. “My belly feels like my throat’s been cut.”
I wasn’t sure who taught that child some of the things she came out with, but I’d put money on it being one of uncles.
“Off you go, guys,” I said, not even trying to bite back the smile I’d had all morning.
They all trouped out chatting animatedly and not for the first time I was grateful for my career choice.
Once everyone had disappeared, I pulled out my lunchbox and popped it open. I usually ate in the staffroom or outside at the picnic tables with the other teachers, or with Lily, especially when there was gossip worth dissecting. But today, she was locked in a meeting about prom logistics, and honestly… Iwanted the quiet. I wanted to replay every second of last night’s kiss like it was my favorite scene in a movie.
I hadn’t felt giddy like this since I was a teenager. Maybe not even then.
“Do not open that lunchbox.”
I looked up, startled, my stomach flipping at the sight of Gunner filling my doorway like a fantasy I hadn’t dared let myself wish for.
Wranglers. Shearling-lined denim jacket. Hat in hand. Hair slightly mussed like he’d been running his fingers through it in the truck.
He looked every inch the cowboy romance cover that had come to life.
“Gunner, what are you doing here?” I asked, my voice catching as I dropped the lunchbox to my desk.
“I brought you lunch,” he said, holding up a brown bag with a boyish, almost bashful smile that made my chest twist. “Is that okay?”
That glint in his eyes, half mischief, half something softer, lit a flame low in my belly.
“It’s more than okay,” I said. “Come sit with me.”
He crossed the room with that lazy, confident stride that made my knees weak and my stomach flutter. As he passed me, our arms brushed, and a thrill shot through me when he hooked his pinky with mine in a secret little tether.
“Hey,” he murmured, leaning in, lips brushing mine in a kiss so gentle it melted me from the inside out. “It’s good to see you.”
When he pulled back, his gaze dropped to my mouth. His thumb swept across my bottom lip like it was instinct.
“Look how fucking plump those lips are,” he whispered. “Just right for kissing.”
