With a resigned sigh, I nodded to no one in the hall. The challenge for the month was to prove to myself that I could do it.
Screw Fritz and Grace. I didn’t want money to be a part of who I was or how someone saw me. Christopher was not Samantha, using me for money, but he would be affected. He might not want to see me, be with me, or want anything to do with me if he learned the truth. That was my reality.
Was it selfish to want to hold on to what we had a little longer? To see him look at me with warm eyes and like I mattered to him? Probably. But I made a priority list in my mind.
I had to tell Fritz about Samantha first. I owed him that.
Then confront Samantha and tell her to get lost. That bitch wouldn’t get a dime from me.
Finally, I’d tell Christopher the truth about my inheritance and hope to God we could still be what we were. Which I wasn’t even sure if we had defined it. We spent the whole weekend together, either learning and talking shop, or getting naked. It was an actual dream to be on the same page with someone on everything. Even when we fought about different teaching styles, it was a good discussion because we pushed each other to be better.
Shit.I rubbed my temples and made my way back into the room. Christopher looked up when I entered, a slight smirk on his face, and he winked. God, the gesture made me fumble like a total idiot. “Uh, Mrs. Anderson will send the letter soon.”
“Perfect! I think we have the essay done! I can use this for other scholarships too.” Kayla shared a smile with her brother and nudged her shoulder into his. “Chrissy has been awesome helping me with all this stuff. My parents mean well, but they get so stressed out even thinking about college for me.”
“Chrissy told me a little about it, so I’m glad you’re able to find scholarships like these,” I said, loving how his eyes flared at using his sister’s nickname for him. “I have a brother who I’m close with too, and it’s great having someone who is always on your team.” As soon as I said the words, my stomach tightened.
Would Fritz realize that I was always on his team? I sure hoped so.
The Callahan siblings worked for another hour, and I helped with the phrasing on some of her essay questions before they called it a night. Kayla put her stuff in her bag and hands on her hips. “They’ll let people know next week, right?”
“Yes.” I smiled, so thankful I was able to work with the high school sponsor to get her application in last minute. I loved and respected deadlines for adults, but for kids? It took some greasing, but I got her in. “We have most of the funds collected, and the committee is chosen. It all depends on the number of applicants who applied. Last year it took two weeks for them to decide, but the year before, it was two days.”
“I hope I get it. I want to be a teacher so bad.”
“Fingers crossed.”
Christopher put his arm around his sister and led her to the hallway, making my chest get all warm and fuzzy seeing them together, but he didn’t walk out with her. He came back into my room and walked right up to me. I barely had time to react before he cupped the back of my head and kissed me. Warm, wet lips greeted mine, and he traced his thumb over my cheek in the most heart-shatteringly gentle way. “Thank you,” he said, his voice thick and smooth as he stared down at me. “She means the world to me, and I appreciate your help.”
“Anytime, Chrissy,” I teased, blushing from head to toe, and he bent down and nipped at my bottom lip. “Hey.”
“We spent the weekend together, and it doesn’t seem like enough time. Let me take you out.”
“Like a date-date?” I asked, my heart racing at the seriousness on his face. He looked determined—the same way he had before our SPIRIT competition.
“Exactly like a date-date.” He pushed my hair behind my ear as one side of his mouth curved up on the side like he knew a punchline to a joke. “Thursday night.”
“Are you asking me if I’m free then or demanding?”
“It’s the soonest night I have available, forgive me for being impatient.” He trailed his fingers over my jaw, making goose bumps break out all down my neck and tingling in the best kind of way.
“I am free then, yes.”
“Good,” he said, letting out a long breath and pressing one more kiss to my mouth. “See you tomorrow, Gilly.”
“Yeah,” I said, breathless and excited and guilty all combining into one hot mess of emotions.
He winked again before heading to the door, but he stopped, put a hand on his hip, and narrowed his eyes in a teasing way. “Also, Kayla told me all about thisawfulcoworker. She has yet to realize that it was me.”
“I’ll make sure she has all the details, Chrissy.”
His eyes flared, but we shared a heated smile before he left. God, my heart swelled around him, and I could only hope that it lasted. I picked up my room and got everything into my bag before heading out toward my car.
Gilly: can I come over?
Fritz: I’m going on a date tonight. Date two, Gil. You and G would freak out.
Gilly: WHO IS SHE
