Page 26 of Working for the Runaway Bride

The question is reasonable. Unfortunately, I don’t have a reasonable answer.

“The children asked him,” I say.

“I see.”

Her tone says she doesn’t. Grayson steps forward. The friendliness he showed the children disappears behind a guarded expression.

“I came to drop off her car.”

“Did you sign in at the front office?”

“No.”

“Are you on the approved volunteer list?”

My pulse pounds in my ears.

“No, ma’am,” he says.

Principal Hargrove folds her hands in front of her. “All classroom volunteers must submit an application and complete a background check before interacting with students.”

“I’m sorry.” Grayson nods once. “I haven’t submitted my volunteer paperwork yet, but I’ll get right on that.”

The statement lands like a brick in my stomach. He says it so calmly that for a moment, I almost believe it’s possible. Then I remember Carter telling me his father spent years in prison. He can’t submit the application. Or he can, but he’ll never pass the background check.

Worse, if Principal Hargrove discovers I knowingly allowed a convicted felon into my classroom, I could lose my job. My teaching certificate might be questioned. Everything I’ve worked for could disappear.

The children have gone silent.

Ava still stands beside Grayson, clutching the edge of his shirt. He looks down at her and gently loosens her fingers.

“Miss Molly didn’t do anything wrong,” he says.

My heart beats harder.

She looks at Grayson. “You’ll need to leave now.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He turns to the children.

“Goodbye, Mr. Gray,” Lily says.

“Bye.”

“You’ll come back tomorrow?” Ethan asks.

Grayson glances at Principal Hargrove before looking at me. The expression in his eyes is unreadable.

“I don’t think so.”

Disappointment crosses every small face. It hits me harder than it should. As the classroom door closes, all I can think about is how much I wish he hadn’t left.

CHAPTER

FIVE

GRAYSON