Mr. Evans narrowed his eyes. “Now, listen here. I came here to thank you for helping out my son—”
“And I appreciate that. You are more than welcome. I was simply doing my job. It’s a pleasure having him in my classroom.” With that, Annika dismissed him with a nod. “You have a nice weekend, now.”
Annika walked past Mr. Evans with a smile to Officer Keely, Daniel right behind her. She walked out into the sun, stopping to breathe.
She looked up to find Daniel staring down at her, in awe. “That was Mitch’s dad?”
Annika let out a nervous laugh. “Yes! Mitch spoke to me today!” She was giddy as adrenaline flowed through her body and made her laugh. All reasons to maintain calm and remain distant not only failed her now but seemed to disappear altogether.
Daniel glanced at her, his face beaming with pride. “You did it. Just by being you.”
“Well, I just pointed his mother in the right direction. They did the work.” She couldn’t stop smiling. Annika let out a nervous laugh. “But, yeah, I guess I did.”
Daniel sighed. “I thought for sure I was going to have to punch him.”
“Fists, while useful, are not always necessary.” Annika grinned at him. “Daniel. Why are you here?Howare you here? In this building.”
He rested that green gaze on her, and her insides melted. She inhaled to steady herself. Seeing him again was not helping her attempts to get over him.
“Can I take you somewhere? There’s someone I want you to meet.” His voice was soft, intimate.
She should tell him she didn’t want to play games. She should refuse to fall for that intimate tone. She should tell him to go home. Instead, she glanced down at her skirt and ballet flats. “I’m not exactly dressed for the bike.”
“I sold the bike.” Daniel’s gaze never left her face. “Bought a car.”
There was no hiding her surprise.
He grinned at her. “I know, shocking, right? What do you say?”
He looked so hopeful, so eager for her to agree, there was no way Annika could have turned him down. Not to mention she didn’t want to. Being near him again felt like life was being breathed into her, and she didn’t want to leave him if she didn’t have to. She probably would have even straddled the bike in her skirt if it meant being close to him.
“Let’s go.”
He beamed at her and led the way to his car, settling his hand in the small of her back. She probably should have protested on the basis that the gesture was too comfortable, but his touch was warm and secure, so against her better judgment, she simply enjoyed it.
He opened the door to his car—a simple four-door sedan—and she sat down and relaxed into her time with him as if it were a cozy blanket on a cold day. This visit would definitely set her back in her effort to get over him. Right now, though, she didn’t care. She still loved him, and it didn’t seem like that fact was ever going to change.
“How was the rest of the school year?”
“Great. In fact, all the children did really well.”
Silence fell between them.
“How about you? Group must be helping you out—you walked into the school.” No point in pretending she didn’t know.
He nodded. “Not just group. I have a therapist, too.”
She couldn’t hide her surprise. “A therapist and group? You’ll be a new man, Daniel Bliant.”
“Not that new,” he spoke softly.
“Well, I’m really happy for you.”
He side-eyed her as they pulled up to a small house. “Thanks.”
The yard was tidy, and there was a small porch with a swing. On the swing sat a beautiful blonde woman with a bundle in her arms. Annika immediately knew who the woman was and where they were, but she couldn’t imagine why Daniel had brought her here.
Daniel got out of the car and came around to open Annika’s door. He offered his hand, and Annika took it as she got out, but she could not read his face. He waved to the woman, keeping hold of Annika’s hand.
