I feign mock hurt. “I would not do that. Unless I catch a boy sneaking into your cabin. Then I’m going full Navy SEAL commander on him.”
She shakes her head, but there’s a smile on her face. “I’m not interested in those losers.”
“Good.”
I sip my coffee. She seems placated.
“And don’t make a move on my teacher. That would be gross.”
I almost spit out my coffee. Is it that obvious I’m attracted to Brooke?
“I admire your teacher, that’s all.”
“Eww. Go admire someone else. Anyone but my teacher.”
Which is going to be difficult, considering I haven’t stopped thinking about the curvy blonde with the smile that lights up a room. Luckily, I’m good at self-discipline. I’m sure I can control myself for three nights.
Dana sips her coffee and looks at me accusingly. “This isn’t a double.”
“And this isn’t a coffee shop. This is my office and I need my desk. Scoot.”
She stands up begrudgingly and picks up her bag.
“Whoa, where are you going?”
“Back to school.”
“Not yet you’re not.” I indicate the round meeting table in the corner of my office. “Pull out your books. You’re doing study hour here.”
Where I can make sure she’s actually studying, I add silently.
“Dad.” She rolls her eyes.
I fix her with my best military stare. The one I used to use commanding a SEAL team in some of the most volatile places on earth.
“Now.”
Dana scrunches up her face, but she slouches over to the desk and pulls out her books. “No need to get all grumpy about it.”
6
JOEL
Icarry Dana’s backpack over to the mini-bus that’s idling in the school parking lot.
Kids call to each other, and rap music blares from a portable speaker that one kid holds in his hand. A group of boys break into laughter and high five each other.
“Is it always like this?” I ask Dana.
She nods grimly and slips her earbuds in. “Every day.”
Amid the chaos, Brooke wields a clipboard like an army general, directing kids to sign in and drop luggage and fielding questions from anxious parents.
I dump Dana’s bag with the rest, next to a pile of camera equipment in hard gray cases.
Dana leans against the bus and pulls her phone out, and I note she doesn’t join in with any of the other kids, excited about the field trip. I’m about to lean next to her when a girl dressed all in black gets there first. Dana takes one ear of her earbuds out and they start up a quiet conversation.
I don’t recognize the girl, but I’m happy Dana does at least have one friend.
