I look back at him and see his jaw flex as he moves his hand to the back of my head. “Here, let me look.” His fingers brush the nape of my neck and head as he checks for injuries. “Everything seems to be in order.”
I bite back the audible reaction my body wants to make at the touch of his fingers in my hair. I smooth out my hair and attempt to shake off the fiery sensation his hands left. “Thank you, doctor.”
We both laugh as he helps me stand. I feel lightheaded and dizzy when I’m on my feet and I instinctively grab his wrist for stability and he uses his free hand to grab mine.
Then . . . we just . . . stand there . . . staring at each other. His dark eyes seem to go darker as he looks from our wrists to my eyes. I let out a small sigh and his eyes drop to my lips at the sound. I try to make audible words but my mouth has dried up. I lick my lips and his jaw flexes again, eyes flickering back up to mine.
I feel a flushing sensation move across my cheeks as I stare at his lips, and the space between us feels oddly electric. I feel my knees give way a tiny bit the longer he stands there.
Careful, Ellie.
“I’ve, uh . . . been wanting to see how you’re liking the job,” he stutters, still staring at my lips.
Thank God. Talking about the students is a good buffer. My body relaxes from the physical tension as I let go of his wrist.
“It’s not bad. Definitely a change of pace, but I’m sure it will grow on me,” I say, twisting and rubbing my neck, a headache building. The heat Benny’s hands left on me slowly evaporates as I focus on his question, and my pounding head.
Yes, definitely a good buffer.
“Do you want to get coffee after school and talk about it?” He slides his hands in his pockets.
“Sure, when works for you?” I start looking around the room to collect my things, being mindful of the tear in my skirt as I angle itawayfrom my boss’s eyes.
“Anytime you’re available.” His voice is cheery and excited—his smile, glowing and eager. “Tomorrow?”
“Sure.” I squeeze the fabric of my skirt tighter behind me. “But if my concussed brain causes me to act ridiculous, just blame that guy.” I chuckle and point at the turned-over chair.
“As you wish.” He flashes a playful smile at me, making my heart flutter.
“You two done yet?”
Ms. Pat startles us—standing by the back door to the lounge, her arms crossed and a roguish grin extended across her face. God only knows how long she has been standing there—how much she saw. I’ll never hear the end of it.
Benny clears his throat and stands up straighter. “Yes. We had a little fall.”
“Well, Ms. Bailey seems to be in need of new pants.” She chuckles as she eyes the back of my skirt.
Someone kill me now.
“Here.” Benny pulls his Glendale windbreaker off of his bulgy shoulders and hands it to me. “To get down the hall.”
Ugh, this guy is agentleman.
“You are so chivalrous,” I joke, tying the jacket around my waist and pulling it down to cover the ripped fabric.
“You bring it out of me.” He gives me a sweet, playful smile then walks over to Ms. Pat.
I feel my heart racing at his words, “You bring it out of me.”How? Why? My mind is firing off a thousand questions as I watch him let Ms. Pat hook her arm around his.
“Ready for my final walk?” she asks him, holding her chin high. Her eyes are misty as she looks up at him.
A whimper of a sigh leaves his body as he looks down at Ms. Pat. He bows down and brings her hand up, pressing his forehead against it, as if it’s something he does naturally. Ms. Pat’s smile stretches across her face as he stands back up, hooking her arm around his. Then he leads her out of the break room and down the hall for her final day at Glendale High.
This place will never be the same.
“Hi, you’ve reached Emma Jones, I’m sorry I missed you. Please leave a message and I will get back to you pronto!” Beep.
“Emma, we have a hostage situation. I repeat, HOSTAGE SITUATION! I swear if you do not get back here and wrangle these psychotic ragamuffins you call offspring, I will give them the entire stash of Halloween candy I found in the pantry!” I growl through the phone. “And then, I will lock them in yoursacredbathroom, with free reign of all of your expensive skincare and bath essentials!” I shriek at whisper level as I race down the stairs to a closet near the front door, squishing myself behind a pile of coats and boxes. “I am giving you ten minutes!”
