“Well, I’m not a woman who lies, and this class is your thing, not mine. So why should I care?”
Harrison chuckles. Of course, he would be amused at something like that.
“Inès Caldwell.” My mom sticks out her hand, introducing herself.
He picks it up and kisses the back, and I want to roll my eyes all the way out of my head.
“Harrison Davenport.” He points to Claud. “I’m Claudina’s dad.” Then he turns to me, those blue eyes sparkling. “And a good friend of your daughter.” He raises his eyebrows, and Mom doesn’t miss it.
Oh…he’s dead.
She looks between us a few times, and I can tell by the look on her face she’s putting two and two together.
“Anyway,” I interrupt her mental assessment. “Claud, it’s time to take a seat.” I take her from Mom, put her back on the floor, and then turn around. “Was there something you needed?”
She pulls out her calendar. “Alice and Daphne have a family wedding this weekend, so I will need you to work both Friday and Saturday. I know you were off, however, we’ll need coverage.”
“And they only just told you?”
She shakes her head. “They said they told me, but I don’t have it anywhere on the calendar.”
She flips the calendar page to the following week, and my stomach drops.
It’s another six days straight working, plus Monday’s class I teach the kids.
Mom’s oblivious to everything and continues to tell me the days I need to work and cover for the others.
“Okay, Mom,” I tell her and kiss her cheek before she says goodbye to Harrison, fawning all over him and then walking off.
Harrison goes to say something when the alarm goes off, and the kids cheer, ready for class to begin.
Harrison stands up and follows me around the class. “What are you doing?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
He’s like a little puppy at my heels.
“Which one is Liam’s mom?”
So, he did hear our conversation earlier. I wasn’t sure. I give him my most serious face. “Do not say anything. I will.”
“Juliette,” he warns. “She is my daughter, and I will handle it how I see fit.”
I put my hands on my hips, annoyed at his tone.
I don’t know why I’m getting pissed off at everything he says today.
“Yes, but it happened in my class, so trust that I will handle it. If it doesn’t get resolved, then you can say something,” I tell him, and to rub salt in his wound because he was giving me attitude, I add, “Plus, she didn’t even tell you. She told me.”
“If I promise not to say anything yet, will you point her out so I can quietly stare daggers at her?”
I shake my head, chuckling. “You’re crazy, you know that? She’s not here yet. Their nanny dropped Liam off, and his mom will pick him up later.” I turn toward the kids. “Everyone, Alice is in charge. I need to get more sprinkles in the back.”
Cheers for more decorations rock the room while Harrison huffs his disappointment about Liam’s mom.
Of course, he follows me in the back, then pushes me against the wall, trapping me in with his arms.
“What are you doing?” I cry.
“Kissing you. What does it look like?” He takes my face in his large hands and then smashes his lips against mine.
