I raise my hand again, wiggling my fingers with urgency—hey, it worked last time. I ignore the frown Rosalie is giving me. I know it’s there. I can feel the disapproving heat of it. But I pretend she’s invisible and I can’t see that glower.
“Uh, yes, the teacher in the back. Miss—what wasyourname?” Callum’s smile shines on me once more.
Jamie groans, his hand still waving. “She’s not a teacher! She’s not even in second grade!”
Jamie’s just jealous. I’m getting a second question, and he isn’t.
My jaw clenches, and for three seconds, I revert to second grade and ponder lying, giving Callum a more romantic name thanFrances. Rosalie would rat me out though. “Fran,” I say, then clear my throat, trying to muster some pride. “My name is Fran.”
Callum doesn’t curl his lip at my name—not in the way Lance did. “Okay. Fran. Did you have another question?”
“Yes.” My nerves jolt. Rosalie’s heated stare is making me sweat. “Is there someone special in your life? Romantically speaking.”
Rosalie coughs—or maybe she’s choking. I’m not sure. Either way, she’s so loud that I can’t hear Callum’s answer.
I must look confused because, brows raised, he gives me an obvious shake of the head.
Single.Nice. See, Rosalie—your prediction of married and sleazy is so wrong.
I shoot my hand in the air again, but before Rosalie canskip over me and call on the next student, I say, “And you aren’t scummy, right? Like, you’re a decent human being?”
Callum laughs, and the sound does something weird to my insides… something I cannot explain. “I’m not shady. My mother would never have let that happen. I’d like to think I’m a decent human being.” He clears his throat. “Most of the time, anyway. Occasionally I may do something a little crazy and out of character. But neverintentionallyscummy.”
His message is clear. I bite my inner cheek. Because I never thought Callum or that kiss scummy—that question was for Rosalie’s benefit.
There’s a long, drawn-out sigh in front of me. I peer down to Moni, who is rolling her eyes with her groan. Sheisobservant.
I almost stick my tongue out at the girl, when Rosalie speaks up again. “Any other questions?Soccer-related questions?” Her eyes drag over to me. “From. The. Children?”
A couple more kids raise their hands. Callum takes his time and answers each question. There are still hands in the air when the intercom sounds, calling him and the other Red Tails to the gymnasium.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Rosalie hisses at me while I watch as that professional athlete walks out of the room.
I shrug, not bothering to acknowledge the question head-on.
“Fran!” she whisper-hisses—though her students are silent and can surely hear every word. “You asked the man about his relationship status?”
“What?” I scoff. “I’m putting your worries at ease.”
“My worries?” she says. “Mine? You don’t have any worries,Frances? Because you should.”
I pull in a sharp breath. “Don’t you dare,” I whisper. “That’s low, Rose. Calling me Frances—and in front of Moni.”
Rosalie’s gaze drops to Moni, who is watching the entire encounter—along with her classmates. My friend’s shoulders rise and fall as she exhales. “Fran, what are you doing with this man?”
“Playing out my romcom remake dreams?”
“In my classroom? He is a stranger.”
“That doesn’t sound very smart, Miss Fairchild,” Moni says.
“Haven’t you ever heard of stranger danger?” Jamie asks.
“He’s not a stranger,” I bark.
No more than the men I meet on HeartLink. Sure, we chat before any actual in-person contact is made, but why can’t kissing count as chatting?
I think it can.
