Page 18 of Wanting You

“I’m almost done,” he said confidently. “It was hard to get anything done in advance. Besides the fact that I only found out that I had the job less than two weeks ago, I had no idea how much was already here for me to work with.”

“That makes sense. Plus, you had to deal with moving. I’m sure it’s been stressful.”

And this time, he knew she was being sincere.

“It has, actually. My folks helped me with the move and getting my house unpacked, but I wish I’d had more time to just get settled in myself before starting a job. I feel like I’m at a bit of a disadvantage.”

They were strolling more than walking at this point, and Chloe turned her head and smiled at him. “Well, you don’t let it show,” she softly told him. “You’re very confident and I can’t imagine you letting anything bother you.”

“Yeah, well…” he shrugged with a small laugh. “Years of competing and being in the public eye taught me to never let anyone see me in any way except a positive one.”

“That’s got to be tough.”

That…wasn’t what he expected her to say. “How come?”

“I don’t know. I guess that just seems like a lot of weight on your shoulders. I mean…everyone’s entitled to letting their guard down and just…you know…having a moment. What did you do when something went wrong? Did you just have to smile through it?”

Another shrug. “When I first started competing, everyone knew exactly what I was feeling, when I was feeling it. As I got older, I realized how unprofessional it looked to have a hissy fit if things didn’t go my way. Basically, I wanted everyone to look at me and only be able to say something positive.”

Beside him, Chloe made some sort of noncommittal sound that piqued his curiosity.

“Tell me what you’re thinking right now,” he teased, playfully nudging her shoulder.

Her eyes went almost comically wide. “Um…what? Why? I wasn’t thinking anything!”

“Chloe, come on. That little sound you made spoke volumes.”

“Then why don’t you tell me what I’m thinking?” she said with just a hint of sass that he didn’t think she was capable of.

“Okay…you were thinking that me wanting everyone to only say positive stuff meant I must have a colossal ego.”

“Hmm…”

They were still walking, and she wouldn’t look at him. “I’m right! I knew it! You think I have a colossal ego!” The fact that she wasn’t denying it made him laugh and soon she was laughing with him. They stopped at his classroom door and when she turned to face him, her entire face was lit up with pure delight. “I’m gonna need to hear you say it, Chloe. Tell me I’m wrong. Or right!”

She giggled softly as she shook her head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“What? Me? Why?” But he was laughing too. “Obviously I’d prefer to hear that I’m right…”

“Because you have a colossal ego!” she said right before her hands flew up to cover her mouth.

“I knew it! I knew you thought that! Ha!”

Lowering her hands, she shook her head again. “Fine. You were right. There.” It took a moment for her expression to turn thoughtful. “How come you won’t let me see your classroom?”

That had him sobering. “Um…what?”

“I’ve come over here several times in the last couple of days and you refuse to let me in. Why?”

And because he was beginning to relax a bit, he figured he could be at least a little honest with her. “Okay, so not only do I have a huge ego…”

“Tanner…” she whined, but he wasn’t listening.

“But I’m also a perfectionist. This is my first classroom and I want it to be perfect. It wasn’t just you I wouldn’t let see it; it was everyone. I wanted to have everything in its place before I let anyone in.”

“I get what you’re saying, but…that’s crazy! Do you have any idea what my first classroom looked like?”

“Probably spectacular based on the way your current one looks,” he murmured and watched her expression soften.

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