But it’s better than anything I could have planned.
So much better.
Chapter 9
Jonah
The restaurant is toofancy for Valentine —white tablecloths, actual wine glasses, candlelight—but Chloe’s eyes are shining as she looks at the menu, and I’d endure a thousand expensive steaks to see her this happy.
“I can’t believe your mom insisted on watching the twins overnight,” she says, setting down her menu. “She basically shoved us out the door.”
“She’s been waiting three years for me to go on a date. I think she’s more excited about this than we are.” I reach across the table, taking her hand. “Though that’s hard to imagine.”
Chloe’s smile is soft, intimate. “Our first real date. No twins interrupting. No flour explosions. Just us.”
“Just us,” I echo, and the words feel weighted with promise.
We’ve been together for two weeks— two weeks of stolen kisses in the bakery, of holding hands when the twins aren’t looking, of late-night conversations after everyone’s asleep. But this is different. This is public. Official. Real.
The waiter appears, and we order. She gets the salmon. I get the Porterhouse steak, so I’m the expensive date, apparently. But even if she ordered the Chateaubriand, I wouldn’t bat an eye.And then we’re alone again in our little bubble of candlelight and possibilities.
“So,” Chloe says, playing with her napkin, “I met with the principal at Valentine Elementary yesterday.”
“And?”
“And I start the long-term substitute position February 16th. Second grade.” Her grin is infectious. “I’m going to be a real teacher, Jonah. Finally.”
Pride swells in my chest. “You’re already a real teacher. Those kids will be very lucky to have you.”
“You have to say that. You’re dating me.”
“I’m saying it because it’s true.” I squeeze her hand. “You’re incredible with the girls. Patient and creative and exactly what they need. Those second-graders won’t know what hit them.”
She blushes, ducking her head. “I’m nervous. What if I’m terrible at it?”
“You won’t be.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. Because I’ve watched you turn our chaos into order. I’ve seen you make the twins laugh when they’re crying. I’ve seen you care. Plus, you do wolf voices better than I do.” I’m not jealous, just offering up the truth. I lean forward. “You’re going to be amazing, Chloe. And I’ll be there to celebrate every success and catch you if you fall.”
Her eyes are suspiciously bright. “How are you real?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I ignore it.
It buzzes again.
“You should check that,” Chloe says. “Could be your mom about the girls.”
“It’s probably just Jake asking about tomorrow’s delivery orders for the morning.” But I pull out my phone anyway, and my heart sinks when I see the name on the screen.
Rachel.
Three text messages?
Chloe notices my expression change. “Everything okay?”
