Page 4 of Wed to You

“You can go on many adventures in books.” She put the paper back and closed the folder.

Kaden shrugged. “Can I ask now?”

Jagger laughed. “Yeah, go ahead.”

“Jagger and I are going to Luigi’s for pizza. Can you come?”

Chelsea wasn’t sure what she’d expected Kaden to ask, but going for pizza wasn’t it. She glanced at Jagger—after all, he was annoyed at her—but he kept his expression impassive.

She turned her attention back to Kaden. “Thank you, Kaden, but it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“Why?”

“Consider it his end-of-school-year gift.” Jagger nodded toward her desk on which sat a variety of presents from her students. “Besides, after tomorrow, he’s not your student and your grades are already in. What’s the harm?”

He was right. Wednesday was the last day of school. Three days longer than originally planned because of the days lost due to snow in January. Tomorrow wasn’t just the last day, but a half-day. Then she’d have two days off before starting full time at the diner for the summer. Of course, going out in public with Jagger, even with Kaden in tow, would likely raise eyebrows, but she was sure it wouldn’t get her in trouble at work.

“Please.” Kaden clasped his hands together and looked at her with pleading puppy dog eyes.

She was hungry and Luigi did make good pizza. She was pretty sure those thoughts were her hormones talking because they liked looking at Jagger. But her brain had to agree: she was hungry. “I guess it would be all right.” She glanced at Jagger again to make sure he was okay with it.

“Great. I’m starving.” Jagger stood.

“Yay!” Kaden jumped from his chair. “I like extra cheese and pepperoni.”

“That sounds good. Let me get my purse and close up the classroom. I can meet you at Luigi’s.”

“Promise?” Kaden’s eyes narrowed, as if he didn’t trust her to follow through.

She smiled. “I’ll be there.”

“Come on, champ. Let’s get a good table before it fills up.” Jagger reached out for Kaden’s hand.

“Don’t forget.” Kaden called over his shoulder as Jagger led him toward the door.

“I won’t.”

Twenty minutes later, Chelsea walked into a packed Luigi’s. She scanned the dining area until her gaze settled on Kaden, who was standing in a booth waving his hands at her while Jagger reached toward him, presumably to make him sit. As she made her way to their table, she had a moment to wonder what people would think about her having dinner with Jagger and Kaden. It wasn’t a date, Chelsea reminded herself, but Charlotte Tavern was small and its people loved to gossip and speculate. She scanned the room again, smiling and nodding at the few people she recognized. It was early enough in the evening that most of the people she recognized were older and only known to her as acquaintances or friends of her mother.

“Sit here by me.” Kaden patted the booth next to him. “We ordered, but Jagger said we can get something else if you don’t like it.”

“I’m sure whatever you ordered is fine. I’ve never met a pizza I didn’t like.”

The waitress appeared, setting a glass of water in front of Chelsea. “Would you like something to drink?” She was unable to keep her gaze from drifting toward Jagger.

Chelsea looked to what Jagger was drinking: milk, the same as Kaden. She’d have expected a beer, but maybe he didn’t drink in front of the boy. “Water is fine.”

“Sure.” The waitress ogled Jagger a moment longer before wandering off.

“Jagger says he knew you when you were little.” Kaden looked up from beside her in the booth.

She glanced quickly at Jagger, wondering what he’d told Kaden. As if there was anything to tell. “Sort of. When he’d come here for the summer, he spent time with my brother and another friend of mine.”

“Mitch,” Jagger said.

“Mitch is a policeman. He carries a gun.” Kaden formed his fingers into the shape of a gun.

“Yes, he does. Did you know he’s like a big brother to me?” Chelsea said.

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