“Teacher?”
“Kids scare me.”
“Kids scare you because you are still a kid.”
“Okay, I’m not that much younger than you,” she argues.
Young enough.“A couple of years out of high school and you’ll realize how young you are now.”
She rolls her eyes, making me chuckle. “How mature of you,” she teases.
“That’s why I watch out for you. I have to make sure no one takes advantage of you.”
“Please. Boys don’t even look in my direction.”
“They will. And when they do, remember that you’re the prize and they don’t deserve you.”
“None of them?” She scoffs.
“Not a single one,” I insist seriously, sobering her.
“And if I want someone?”
“Just don’t let anyone stop you from achieving your dreams. I watched it happen to my mom, and she’ll never get those years back.”
She could be living a much better life if she hadn’t settled for my father. I’d gladly snuff out my existence if it meant she got a redo.
“You’re a good guy, Jensen. No matter what anyone says.”
“Oh, and what do they say?”
“I’ve had two teachers warn me about you. A couple of classmates have whispered their concerns after seeing you walk me to class. They say you’re bad news.”
“That’s true. But never something you have to worry about,dove.” I smooth my thumb against her chin, memorizing the way she dips her head bashfully.
The purest thing I’ll ever touch.
* * *
Present…
“Have you made your decision?” I study her closely as she avoids my gaze.
“About what?”
“Are you going to let me protect you?”
“Oh, I have a choice?” She asks sarcastically.
“You always have a choice, Liv. I’d never force anything on you.”But I’d watch from a distance no matter what.
“Hmm,” she sighs, stepping over to a metal tub I’d been pondering earlier. She peels back the cover, and I realize it’s full of water and not a garden bed as I’d suspected.
“If you’re still afraid to be near me, you can just say that.”
“I’m not afraid of you, Hayes. Never have been.”
“I know. You’re a poor judge of character.”
