16
Ezreal began spending all his free time with Sara. He had one of the guys drop him off at her school late one afternoon, so he could slink in to help her set up her classroom. Just before they finished, the custodian poked his head in the door, sending Ezreal diving behind her desk.
“You all right in here, Miz Fortune?” the old man asked, sending a leery glance in the direction of Ezreal’s hiding place.
Fortunately, her phone rang then, blasting the room with the sound of Brand’s recorded voice calling for her.
“I need to get that.” She scrambled for her phone and positioned herself between the desk and the custodian. “Oh, hello, Francie. Sure, put him on. Hey, sweetie. Yes, I’ll be home in a little while. I just have a few things left to do before I can leave. You behave now.”
She heaved out an exaggerated sigh and glanced at the old man. “Can I help you with anything?”
“Just checking to see how much longer you’ll be here.”
“A few minutes is all.” Sara walked to the door and opened it for him.
The custodian moved slowly as he left, glancing over his shoulder a couple of times.
“Not yet,” Sara whispered when the door had closed behind him. She bent over the papers on her desk and fiddled around with them.
From his spot on the floor, Ezreal was able to peek under the desk with a view of the door. The old man’s face suddenly popped up in the window. Sara acted as though she hadn’t seen.
“How’d you know?” Ezreal asked, keeping his voice low.
“He’s the suspicious type.” Sara placed the papers on a new stack on her desk and turned to face the door. It was the old guy’s turn to duck.
Finally, they heard the sound of his cart moving away.
“Can I come out?” Ezreal asked.
“Yes. I think he’s gone now.”
“I’m not ashamed to be seen with you.” He rose to his knees and looked over the top of her desk. “I feel like a criminal.”
“It’s just so no one can get a picture of us together that might end up in Landon’s hands. Oh, look, you knocked the hole punch over.” Grinning, she started brushing off the back of his jeans, and little round circles of paper fluttered to the floor.
Ezreal reached for her hands and brought them around his neck. He pulled her close, loving the feel of her in his arms. Never would he grow tired of it. He pressed his lips to her welcoming ones, and his heart swelled so big it could have been a balloon about to burst. He started tracing her neck with feather kisses.
Her phone rang, once again with Brand’s voice.
“I guess we should pick them up,” Ezreal said, his voice husky.
“I suppose.”
“Be sure to let me know when you need help again.” He grinned.
“I’m not so sure.” Sara’s eyes twinkled, her cheeks flushed. “I do need to, you know, actually get something done when I stay late.”
She turned off the light, and they began a childish game of stealth to get him to her car without the custodian spotting Ezreal.
* * *
As the days passed,Sara’s euphoria continued. After the meeting, a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers had been delivered to her house. Another day, a fully catered meal showed up. She hadn’t known what to expect until Janna had spotted Ezreal coming up the back path from Francie’s house. The children had squealed with delight and run to greet him.
Late one afternoon, she received a text from him.
Kayn’s back and he’s engaged! Everyone’s meeting at my place to celebrate. Sending a car for you and the kids.
When the car arrived, Sara held back the children.
