“I think you’re doing a really good job with her.”
“I think I’m a total disaster.”
“AndIthink you should have more faith in yourself.”
I turn back to her and smile. “And I think that we should get out of here.”
She raises an eyebrow, questioningly.
“And no, I don’t plan to fuck you in the back of my car. Luckily, I’m not sixteen anymore, and I have a house. Well, actually, that’s not even true – I still live with my parents. But you have a house, thank God, and I can have you there, later. All to myself.”
“So what do you want to do now?”
Thankfully, she overlooks my little monologue.
“Shall we get out of here for half an hour?”
She looks at me, curious.
“You still owe me a date. I won that tournament, and I want my prize.”
I wrap my jacket over her shoulders and she smiles gratefully at me. We’re walking along the bay, hot dogs in hand.
“This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I said I wanted to take you out for dinner. I had to improvise a little.”
“This is perfect.”
We sit down on a bench and throw the remains of our dinner into the bin. I take her hand and bring it up to my lips.
“Is it dark enough here for me to hold your hand?”
“I didn’t think we still had anything to hide.”
“Oh, no?”
“Unless I’m mistaken, you were actually my date to the dance tonight, Kerry.”
I smile. “Yes, I was. And I enjoyed it, Headmistress. I really enjoyed it.”
“I can see.”
I turn to her and take her face in my hands.
“I want to do everything with you. And I’d love you to do the same for me.”
“Are you talking about sex here?”
“No. Well, not right now – but that’s part of the deal, I guess.”
She laughs, and I press my mouth against hers.
“I love you, Headmistress. And I can’t wait to bring you back to a house of my own. And make you stay.”
“You want to keep me hostage and tie me to your bed?”
“I want to have you in my life indefinitely.”
“Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week?”
