different. “You grumble like an old man when I tease you—then you flip the script when I try to be serious.”
“‘Serious’ isn’t your style, sunshine boy. And you’re not allowed to use my full name. That right is reserved for my mom when she’s mad at me.” She glances up at me when I don’t say anything, brow arching. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Leticia, I think you like me more than you’re willing to let on.” I poke her back in the same place, and she yelps and skirts away from me. “You’re not so grumbly beneath that façade, are you?”
“I’m always grumbly.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “That’s why I had to snap you out of it. There’s only room for one grumpy bitch, and that’s me.”
“My grumpy girl.” I throw an arm around her shoulders and ruffle her hair good-naturedly. It’s nothing more than friendly, even ifmy heart is still thundering from the contact. We return to normal when I pull my arm away.
A notification banner appears at the top of her phone screen. Nathaniel has replied and is already suggesting they start brainstorming their first date. “What are you doing?” she asks when I start typing. I hold out the phone for her after hitting send.
The only way I’m ever going hiking with you is if Marley comes too.
“Please tell me you did not sign me up to go hiking with a literal stranger.” Her eyes narrow on me as the bell rings. “Julian!”
“Wait, wait, he’s typing.” I grab her arm as she stands from the chair. Any second now, my fifth-period students are going to come stomping up the ramp. We need to wrap this up, stat.
That’s totally fair
How about we work up to that?
My go-to first date is dinner and ice cream.
“You were just talking about ice cream.” I hand her the phone back. “Sounds meant to be to me.”
“That, or my government-issued spy agent told him the perfect thing to say.” She sighs. “I should head back. I think I can handle the conversation from here.”
“Be nice to him.” I point a stern finger at her. “This could be the one, you know.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She waves me off as the first flood of students make their way inside.
I make eye contact with Andy before her gaze shifts to Leti, amusement quirking her lips.Oh lord.Andy is my sassiest studentby far, and the last thing I need is for her to get the wrong idea about what’s going on here.
“What are you doing here, Mrs. M.?” She opens her arms for a hug, which Leti avoids by placing an open palm on the student’s forehead and gently pushing her away.Not a hugger. Noted.
“There’ll be none of that,” Leti says once Andy’s grin morphs into a pout. “The last time you hugged me, I got the flu.”
“You let a studenthugyou?” I huff a laugh. “That’s surprising.”
“Despite what you may believe, I do own a beating heart.” She rolls her eyes at me before turning back to Andy. “By the way, it’s Miss not Mrs. There’s no ring on this finger.” She holds up her left hand and waggles her bare ring finger.
“What a coincidence. Mr. Gutierrez isn’t wearing a ring either.”
Leti is unfazed as she stares my student down, eyes narrowing in a way that is growing more and more familiar.
“What! I’m just saying—”
“Andy, sit down,” I tell her before placing a hand on Leti’s back. “Come on, I’ll walk you out before the interrogation starts.”
“Good call.” She hides a smirk behind her hand. “I forgot how nosy that one gets.”
“Oh, they’re all nosy little busybodies.” I laugh. “How do you know Andy?”
“I subbed her English class for a week last year.” She stops outside my classroom as I hold the door open with a brick. It’s all they gave me on orientation day. “She’s a riot, but she’s a good kid.”
“Seems like it.” I blow out a breath, lowering my voice so no one passing by can hear. “Let me know how it goes with Nathaniel.”
“Hmm, I’ll think about it.” She smirks at my unamused expression. After a bit of pouting on my end, she says, “I’ll give you the full breakdown tomorrow.”
