“Yes, Mrs. Rich,” they mumbled as they trudged out of the room with Mrs. Witch following them.
Nate shuddered. “She’s enough to give any kid nightmares. In fact, I don’t think I’ll sleep well tonight. How does Toby let her teach these poor kids?”
“She works in the library. She doesn’t take classes.”
“Thank God for that.” Then he reached out to her. “I’ve missed you.”
Stepping away, she said, “Don’t. Anyone could walk in.”
“What more can they do to you? They’ve already taken your job.”
And Nate had taken her heart, and there was nothing she could do about that either. “I’m on temporary leave. I don’t want to do anything to make it permanent.”
Nate blew out a breath. “I still can’t believe Toby did this to you. You should teach at this school and supervise music lessons. Not that dragon woman.”
“And yet you’re still teaching like nothing has changed,” Jade said in a sharp tone.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” His eyes narrowed.
She shook her head. “Nothing. I should go.”
Nate grasped her arm before she could turn to leave. “I know this is hard on you, so if you want me to cancel the lessons, I will.”
The kids loved music. She couldn’t take that away from them because she was feeling sorry for herself. “No, I don’t want you to cancel the class.”
“Then what is it? Talk to me.” Concern lined his face.
She wanted to tell him her friends married the men of their dreams and were having beautiful babies. But she’d never have the one man she’d let herself fall in love with and have a life like that.
Instead, she said, “Really, it’s nothing. It surprised me to see the music lessons still going, that’s all. I feel a little sad that I’m not involved anymore. When I get back, we can make them exciting again. Hopefully, Mrs. Rich won’t scare the kids away by then.”
Nick dropped his gaze for a beat then scrubbed the back of his neck.
“But you’ll be gone.” God, how stupid she was. She knew he wouldn’t be here that long. “I’ll find another music teacher.”
“I have a few contacts. I’ll call around and see who I can get to help,” he said.
Not once had he suggested he might want to stay. He was leaving. He told her so from the start. Why would she think he’d ever change his mind? He never gave her the impression he would stay, especially for her.
She wasn’t able to stand in front of him a minute longer, because the chances of her saying something she might regret, like begging him not to go, was strong. So she put on the best smile she could spread on her face. “That would be great. Thank you.” She flicked out her wrist and pretended to look at the time. “I have to go.”
He stopped her again by holding onto her arm. The warmth of his hand turned her skin on fire. “Have dinner with me,” he said. “Come to my house and I’ll cook.”
“Sorry, I can’t. Ava had her baby. I want to visit them.” Which was a lie; she was going home, putting on her oldest and most comfortable pajamas, and watching old episodes of Buffy. A tub of hazelnut chocolate ice cream was on the menu.
“Mother and baby doing okay?” he asked.
“Yes, they’re perfect.” Her heart squeezed again over the fact she would never experience that kind of love with her own husband and baby. She pulled her arm free and immediately felt the loss. “Bye, Nate.”
“I’ll be home if you change your mind,” he said.
With a quick nod, she spun on her heels and rushed from the room.
Chapter 24
Jade sat curled up on the couch with an empty tub of hazelnut chocolate ice cream. She’d dropped a spoonful on her pajama top, and then made a big, brown mess while trying to clean it up.
Like she’d planned, she was watching Buffy, but even the vampire slayer couldn’t have the man she wanted. If she had sex with Angel, he’d turn evil. And Angel, being a vampire, would never give her a normal life, so he dumped her and left!
