I smile as I put the paintbrushes in the window to dry.
“How the hell did she bag that fine specimen? I tried talking to him at the bar a few weeks ago, and he didn’t seem like he was interested in dating.”
“I heard he rescued her from a fire one night, and that’s how they met.”
“Figures. She’s a walking disaster, that one.”
“So he has a hero complex.”
“Isn’t she a little old for him?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Afternoon, ladies.” Drake’s voice cuts through the chatter, and my heart skips a beat.
I look through the window that’s cracked open to let in the fresh air, and our eyes lock.
The women who were gossiping stay silent, but I relishin how they notice the way he looks at me. I know everyone in this town thinks I’m just the crazy cat lady, but I kinda like being the crazy cat lady who got the cream.
His doe-eyed smile heats my cheeks, and I can already feel the tingles spreading throughout my limbs from one heated gaze. It’s been this way all week. Ever since we took our relationship to the next level.
Drake’s been dropping Sienna off at my classroom door instead of the playground every morning just so he can sneak a kiss, and we’ve spent most evenings together when he hasn’t been working an evening shift. I even babysat Sienna on Saturday while he worked.
The home-time bell rings, breaking our trance, and the class buzzes with kids getting their lunch boxes, bags and coats. I hobble over to the door on my crutch, excited for next week when I can get this cast off. I call the kids’ names as their grown-ups collect them. Drake always hangs back until the end, so he gets a few private minutes. Sometimes he even waits until I’m done so he can drive me home.
With only Sienna left inside, Drake cups my face in his calloused hands and presses his lips to mine, ignoring the town gossips still in the corridor.
“We have to stop meeting like this,” he whispers. “I’ve been thinking.”
“Is that dangerous?” I raise an eyebrow.
He chuckles. “We should just move in together.”
“One day at a time, Drake.” I press my lips to his again, knowing it won’t be long before I give in to him and move in to his home, or move the two of them into my chaotic mess.
“Daddy, gross.” Sienna giggles, but she’s used to us by now.
Drake’s thumbs stroke my cheek as the last of theparents leave the corridor. “Want me to hang around and take you home?”
“I have a meeting in half an hour, but I’ll see you tonight?”
Harold and May are back from holiday and are taking Sienna for the evening, as much as I love his daughter, I’m excited for a night with Drake all to myself.
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Don’t get too excited. You haven’t sampled my cooking yet.”
“Daddy, want to see my painting?” Sienna tugs his hand and guides him over to the work surface near the window where the kids’ paintings are laid out to dry.
“Wow, is this one yours?” Drake lifts the one with her name in the bottom corner. “Who are all these people?”
I hobble over to them with a permanent smile etched on my face, curious who the stick figures are and who the baby is in a woman’s arms.
She points to the girl next to the cat. “That’s me and Fidget the kitten, but she’s grown, see.”
Drake nods with a smile and points to two people on her left. “Who are they?”
“That’s Nannan and Grandad.” She points to a stick figure with a fireman’s hat on. “That’s you, Daddy.”
