Her breathing picks up. “Definitely the second thing.”
“That’s my girl.” Grinning, I cover her mouth with mine.
She breaks the kiss to say, “You might have to bend me over something so I can bite down on my pillow.”
“You like me bending you over things, huh?” I tease.
“Is fire hot?” she asks, wrapping her arms and legs around me.
I’m late for work.
Not that I care.
And to my surprise, Noah doesn’t tear into me about it. I’m not sure I’d mind if he did. He just raises his eyebrow and points me to the task he needs done. But there’s no way he could miss the biggest, shit-eating grin he’s likely ever seen in his life, and that no one can dislodge from my face.
Chapter 27
Rose
“Thanks so much for giving us this tour, Ms. Fairhaven,” I say, shaking hands with the tall, dark-haired woman in a blue blouse and a knee-length black skirt. “I know you’re busy winding down before the summer vacation.”
Yesterday, I spent a lazy morning in bed with Joel. We all had breakfast together after I dragged myself out of bed and threw on a sundress. When Murph, Joel, and Win left for work, I had a long phone call with my mom while Ben ran around the backyard. It was followed by another, shorter one. One I’d been contemplating since I spoke with Lina at the diner.
When I told Ben we would be visiting potentially his new school this fall, he could barely sleep last night and was up at 5 a.m. to wake me up. That was not so fun, but seeing his excitement solidified that this decision is the right one—for Benandfor me.
“We can handle a tour, no problem. It’s a shame you missed our roundup in April. We usually have activities for the kids and parents, and Ben could have met his classmates.” She sinks down to meet Ben’s gaze. “You must be Ben, the boy I’ve heardso much about. I’m Ms. Fairhaven, the principal here, and I’m very pleased to meet you.”
“Hello.” Ben, never shy around meeting new people, shakes her hand after a quick glance at me to make sure it’s okay, and Ms. Fairhaven rises to start the tour.
“Ben did a roundup in Memphis, but our circumstances changed.” When I called the school yesterday to ask about visiting with Ben, I explained a little about me, about Ben, and that we were moving from Memphis due to Ben’s father’s death.
Ben had loved the roundup in Memphis, and I’d loved it too. It’s a one-day event for parents and prospective new pupils. I got to meet the parents, the kids could meet each other, and we toured the entire building—including the cafeteria and the playgrounds—without interrupting an ordinary school day.
My eyes scan the bright turquoise-blue walls with colorful pictures and posters as I take Ben’s hand and follow Ms. Fairhaven. It’s quiet in the hallway, but the murmur of children’s voices drifts from the closed doors we pass as we walk away from the school’s front entrance, where Ms. Fairhaven was waiting to meet us.
“We’ll start with the kindergarten classrooms, and I’ll share a bit about what Ben will learn and what an ordinary day will look like for him,” Ms. Fairhaven says, speaking to Ben and me. She smiles at Ben. “And if I’ve timed this tour right, Ben might join the kindergarten classes for recess while I answer any questions you have for me, Rose. It’s too beautiful a day not to spend at least some of it outside. What do you think?”
Ben squeezes my hand, his eyes shining with excitement, willing me to say yes.
All the nerves and anxiety I had about this visit going well melt away, and I smile. “That sounds perfect.”
We spend over an hour touring Rios Elementary School, peeking through the glass-fronted windows of the classrooms as Ms. Fairhaven talks.
It’s a small school that goes up to fifth grade with two kindergarten classes, each with about ten to fifteen kids. Both have pets, and when Ben sees the caramel-colored hamsters with adorably fat cheeks, he’s ready to start schooltoday. I smile, reminded of Joel’s one-man rescue of Waffles.
We end the tour outside as recess kicks off. As the sun warms my bare arms, Ms. Fairhaven answers all my questions while Ben plays with Harry and the friends he made at Harry’s birthday party. I even get a chance to meet Mrs. Kane, a lovely newly married beta, who will be Ben’s teacher if I decide to enroll him.
“So, what do you think, Rose? We’d love to have Ben join us this fall.”
Watching Ben have the time of his life with the other kids, I doubt I even need to ask what he thinks. I’ll still ask after he’s done playing, but I know my son. If he isn’t dragging his feet andbeggingto stay for just a little longer, I’ll eat my purse.
“Ben loves it here, and I do too. Do you have a list of supplies for the new year?”
Ms. Fairhaven smiles, delighted. “We have a Meet the Teacher event in August, right before school starts. That’s when you’ll get a detailed list, but I can give you a basic one now if you’d like to start picking up a few things over the summer. I’ll also get you the registration forms you’ll need to complete. No need to rush the forms. You can bring them in after the summer vacation. We’ll need a copy of Ben’s birth certificate, but I imagine that’s back in Memphis?”
I make a face. “This summer is going to be crazy. Packing and moving houses is one thing. Movingstatesis another thingentirely.” My parents will help, but it wouldn’t be fair to leave them to manage it all.
“You mentioned during our call yesterday that you were a teacher in Memphis.”
