Page 123 of Teaching Tanner

“I don’t know why I should give in to your demands.”

“They’re not demands, Sabrina. I’m not the one who started this. You did. Now, can we focus on Nash and put everything else to one side?” She doesn’t reply, although I think we can all hear her breathing, so she’s clearly still there. “Well?” I say, after a while. “Do you agree?”

“Y—Yes.” I can hear the crack in her voice, and it surprises me. “You’ve never threatened to take him from me before, and I—I can’t lose him, Tanner.”

It’s been years since I’ve heard so much emotion from her, and while it’s tempting to tell her it’s her own damn fault, I doubt that will get either of us very far, so I let out a long breath, shaking my head. “I know. I feel the same. So, can we just stop all this?”

“I guess. As long as your girlfriend won’t be there.”

“Where?” Is she reneging? I glance at Ezra, feeling less than reassured by the frown on his face.

“With you, each day, when you bring Nash home after school.”

I squeeze Zara’s hand again. “No. She won’t be with me. I’m not looking to make trouble, Sabrina, and I’m not asking you to be Zara’s best friend. Just tolerate her, okay?”

“Are you gonna tolerate Dean?” she says, sounding more like herself again.

“I’ll do my best.” I want to add that I don’t think he’ll be around long enough for me to worry, but like I said, I’m not looking to make trouble.

“Okay,” she says, and hangs up.

There’s a collective sigh of relief, and I take a moment to put my phone back, before I look up at Ezra.

“Well, that was a waste of everyone’s time,” he says, resting his hands on his stomach. “Although I have to say, you were a lot kinder than most people would have been in that situation. Mrs. Pope hasn’t just put you both through a lot of stress, she’s also been at least partly responsible for Miss Howell losing her job.”

“Maybe, but I’m done with Sabrina’s games.” I turn to Zara and stand, pulling her up with me and holding her in my arms. “We’ve got a future to plan.”

“And unless I’m much mistaken, significantly nicer games to play,” Ezra says, and I laugh. Zara joins in, even though she’s blushing, and he shoos us away with a wave of his hand.

“He’s nice,” Zara says when we get out onto Main Street. It’s threatening to rain, but I don’t think she cares about that any more than I do.

“Yes, he is.”

“Do you think he’ll help with my landlord, should the need arise?”

I turn, putting my hands on her waist, and pull her close. “I’m sure he will, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” I say, kissing the tip of her nose. “Speaking of that, though, why don’t we go over to your place and take those photographs now?”

“Have we got time?”

“Of course.”

“Katie won’t mind?”

“Not in the slightest… especially if we pick up some sandwiches from the deli on the way back.”

Zara nods her head, and I take her hand in mine, leading her across the street.

For a Monday afternoon, it’s been remarkably busy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about that. I like being busy. I just wish Zara and I could have spent a little more time together. As it was, we returned from her place, armed with sandwiches, and barely had time to eat them, although I found a few minutes to fill Katie in on what had happened at Ezra’s. She was delighted with the outcome, although we’ve been rushed off our feet ever since.

By the time we close the door for the last time, and I turn the key, leaning back against it, we all let out a sigh of satisfaction. Busy or not, it’s been a good day.

“I’m going home,” Katie says. “Roger’s taking me out for dinner tonight.”

“That sounds lovely,” Zara replies.

“Is that your way of telling me you’d rather go out than stay home?” I ask her, but she shakes her head.

“No. I’m too tired to do anything other than crash on the couch and watch you cook.” She smiles over at me, and I nod my head.

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