“Sorry, Miss Bennett.” Samantha giggles. “I texted our new resource officer because I thought you might want to meet him, you know, if you haven’t already.”
He’s real. And he’s a resource officer at my school instead of police lieutenant?
Karson crosses his solid forearms. “Then there’s no emergency?”
“Actually.” Brock raises his hand. “There’s a shortage of chaperones for the homecoming dance tomorrow. You should help Miss Bennett.”
Ah, I knew this kid could be taught.
Karson’s gaze warms me from the inside. “I’m already required to attend all football games and dances. I’ll be there.”
My stomach churns with unasked questions. Though I did ask my students to help me with my story, and they got my hero to join us. Not only now but for every dance I chaperone as the advisor for the dance committee. I hadn’t seen this plot twist coming.
Brock whoops. “So it’s a date.”
Okay, now the kid is taking it too far.
“Excuse us.” I rise and usher my new coworker into the hall, away from our audience. He smells like cinnamon, and I can’t help thinking if Ichabod Crane had used the same gun oil, Miss Van Tassel would have chosen him, and his story would have ended differently. As for the conflict in my story, I’m still not sure how it will end. At the moment, it’s reminding me very much of how it started, back when this man assumed the worst about me. “Karson, I didn’t plan for them to call you. I honestly didn’t know you were working here now.”
“I believe you.”
“You do?” Hope swells in my chest.
“Yes.” A sheepish smile colors his cheeks. “I took this job because I want to impact the lives of kids like I was before they become angry grown-ups like I was.”
Heisa hero, as I suspected all along.
“Then I saw your picture on the bulletin board by my office—”
His office … ? “So that’s why I smelled cinnamon in the hallway when coming back to school for the first time.” I cover my mouth to let him continue. I didn’t mean to interrupt his tantalizing narrative about what brought us back together. It’s the best story I’ve ever heard, and I can’t wait to get to the ending. I pull my hand down to prompt, “Go on.”
“I’ve seen you around and started to feel a little bit like your stalker.” He shrugs one shoulder, eyes searching mine. “I realized I judged you too harshly for stalking me after we first met. I was only looking for a way to reconnect. As were you.”
As was I.
My lips separate to let me breathe in this moment. He wanted this. He wanted to say hello instead of goodbye. I wish I could keep exploring the new avenue of our relationship, but I’ve got students waiting for me.
I glance back toward the window to my classroom and get a glimpse of the red hair ribbon from Samantha’s ponytail as she ducks out of sight. That girl. “Samantha did the reconnecting for us.”
“She did.” He arches a teasing eyebrow. “I’m just surprised with as much trouble as you get into that it’s taken so long for me to be called to your class.”
Karson isn’t avoiding me anymore. He’s seeking me out. I don’t want to leave him, but this time saying goodbye holds excitement for tomorrow.
“I’ve got to get back to my students before there’s more trouble, but it’s a good thing you’re coming to the homecoming dance to keep an eye on me … I mean them.”
“You,” he clarifies. “I know better than to take my eyes off you.” He backs away as if to validate his point, but his gaze holds both longing and promise. And the way it makes me feel is better than any homecoming tiara I could have ever worn.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
KARSON
I’m no hero. I’m just a man in love. Though there’s never been anything more courageous than loving someone.
—KARINAHALLE
I’m as nervous as a junior at prom. Talking with Gemma again made me feel as though I was in the right place with the right person, even though a year ago I never would have imagined myself dating her, let alone being a resource officer at her school. Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell her all that with a classroom of students spying on us. So tonight’s the night.
I’m in the commons before the doors open for the dance. Gemma’s not here yet, but I can see her touch in the decorations. The homecoming theme this year is “Hollywood or Bust” because they’d been playing Grant High from the Hollywood District. There’s a red carpet leading in from the glass doors. Gold stars hang from the ceiling. And there’s even a theater curtain backdrop as a photo op. Just the setting I need for making this a night to remember for her.
