We sat on my bed while he made his case. We’d grown up together, he’d loved me from the moment of our first kiss, he’d carved our names in the oak tree at the front of the school, he’d give up his inheritance, we were meant to be forever and ever . . .
He looked deep into my eyes, crying as he got on his knees and asked me to take a chance on him, to come back to UT, and we’d find a way to figure out the baby and Paisley.
I said yes.
And when I woke up the next day, he was gone. Betrayed. Twice.
I still can’t find my voice, and Ronan takes over, his voice curt. “She’s the new English teacher and my PA.”
Then he’s sweeping me out of the office and into a busy hallway.
I wrestle with my feelings, leaning against his hard frame, and I straighten, but he tugs me back. “Not yet. He might have come out. Let him know you don’t care—even though you obviously do.”
A long exhale comes from my chest. How on earth am I going to do this job with Andrew here?
Keeping me next to him, Ronan maneuvers us through a crowd of teenagers. All eyes are on us, the students giving him appreciative, admiring glances and calling out, “Coach Smith! Hey! Good morning! Great game!”
We make it through the throng to an empty area, and I focus on what’s front and center.
After clearing my throat, I ask, “How unhappy are you that I got this job? If you wanted someone else, you could have spoken up in his office.”
He doesn’t reply.
We’ve turned a corner in the hall, and he stops at a door, opens it quickly, and tugs me inside.
I look around at the . . . storage closet. It’s shadowy and small, about ten feet by ten, with shelves stacked with paper towels, hand sanitizer, pencils, pens, paper . . . “Nice office. Where do I put my desk, Coach?”
“It’s Ronan when we’re alone,” he says gruffly.
“Is this going to work between us or not?”
“Nova. Are you okay?”
His hands land on my shoulders as his gaze searches my face intently. His thumbs stroke my tense muscles, but I don’t think he’s aware of it. Sparks zing over my skin, goose bumps rising where he touches me, and I will them to disappear. This isn’t sexual. He’s truly worried about me.
Carefully banked emotion rears its head, and I swallow, blinking back the tears that have been hiding under the surface since I saw Andrew.
“I—I knew it was coming. I just . . .” Kinda flaked.
“I’m sorry for it.”
“Thank you for getting me out of there. Next time will be better.”
“Sure.” He drops his hands, almost reluctantly, then gives me his profile, messing with his hat. Realization dawns. The hat and collar pulling is his tic when he’s unsure. I saw him do it at his party, then on my porch and at the bookstore. Those scars.
“I wish you’d look at me.”
He starts at my frank words, then turns to take me in. “Okay.”
“I need this job,” I say softly. “I’ve been foisted on you, and maybe it is unfair, but there’s Sabine and the house and my school loans . . .” I bite my lip. “I’m sorry. We both know Lois got me this job.”
He leans against the door, and I do the same, our eyes holding. The sound of students out in the hall fades as the silence builds between us, but it’s not uncomfortable. We seem to have created our own little bubble.
“I see,” he murmurs as he searches my face. “Money troubles.”
I nod. “I gave my word to Mama that if anything happened to her, I’d do the best for my sister. And when I give my word, I mean it. Honor and loyalty are important to me. We don’t have any other family close by, and I can’t take her back to New York. This is her home.”
After the moments stretch, I ask, “What are you thinking?”
A deep exhale comes from his chest. “I’m thinking about a lot of things. We’re going to have to take them bit by bit. First is that kiss.”
I feel color rising on my cheeks. “What about it?”
His voice grows husky. “It’s kept me awake at night.”
My skin hums with electricity. “Oh.”
He dips his head, breaking our gaze. “With that aside . . . I have a plan—or a proposal, whatever.”
“What is it?”
His head rises. He gives me a long look, pausing at my sparkly shoes. His face softens as a huff comes from his chest. “You are something in that outfit. I like the mascot colors.”
“I like fashion. You’ve never seen me dressed up.”