“The principal really likes you,” he said, winking at her.
“Only because I agreed to chaperone the Winter Formal,” she said.
“So you drew the short straw for that?” Jess asked with a wink.
“I’m told it’s a fun event, even for the teachers,” she said. “And I get to bring a plus-one.”
“Who’s the lucky guy?” Jess asked.
“I’ve been seeing Tripp Lawrence,” she said. A little thrill went through her at the idea that it was true—they were officially seeing each other.
“Is that so?” Jess asked, his tone suddenly a lot less playful.
“We knew each other back in school,” she said, hoping he wasn’t thinking the worst of her for dating already when she had practically just arrived in town.
“Then you know to be careful, right?” Jess said, turning to face her fully.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
Jess sighed and placed his mug down on the counter.
“He’s a great guy,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong. If you ever got stuck in the snow, or needed a hand with moving, or your farm animals got loose, or you just needed an ear… well, the man would give you the shirt off his back.”
She nodded, that sounded exactly like the Tripp she was getting to know all over again.
“He’s an intense guy and when he’s all-in, he’s all-in,” Jess said. “But with women, he doesn’t tend tostayall-in.”
“What do you mean?” Jillian asked.
“He likes tokeep it casual,” Jess said, putting some air quotes around that last bit. “Or so I’m told.And as soon as a woman gets serious about him, he heads for the hills.”
Jillian swallowed hard as her stomach twisted.
He cares about me,she reminded herself.He shows it in everything he does.
“I think it might be different with us,” she ventured after a moment.
“I hope you’re right,” Jess said. “He’s already broken more than his share of hearts in this town.”
“I’m really grateful for that heads-up,” Jillian said.
“We school people have to stick together,” Jess said, winking again. “And I’ll be rooting for you to turn Tripp Lawrence around. That boy could use a good woman.”
Jillian couldn’t help laughing at anyone calling Tripp aboy.And it was a comfort in a way, because it showed her that this was just one more instance of someone who had known Tripp since childhood assuming he had never changed.
The kettle beeped and she poured hot water onto her teabag, enjoying the light peppermint scent.
“See you around,” she told Jess as she headed down the hall to the infirmary.
The morning was still spread out with potential in front of her, and her tea let out that cheerful, fragrant steam she’d been looking forward to.
But somehow, Jillian couldn’t shake the funny feeling in her stomach.
Tripp Lawrence won’t break my heart,she told herself sternly.I can trust him.
Can’t I?
16
