Page 43 of Wanting You

“Why do you think they’re the hardest jobs?”

“Because you’re teaching them everything they’re going to need to prepare them for the next twelve years of their life and beyond! Remember that book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten? It’s the truth! Every foundation about being out in the world and in school, you’re the one teaching them that. I think what you do is amazing and…it’s all still a little terrifying to me.”

The look she gave him said she didn’t quite believe him. “Oh, come on, Tanner. You’re the most confident person I’ve ever met. You know you’re doing a great job. Your students love you and the parents are impressed too.”

He took another sip of his wine before leaning forward a little. “I’ve told you before; it’s all about appearing to be confident. It doesn’t mean it’s how I feel. All the years I competed, I had to look confident. I had to believe in myself. Even when I was scared or not feeling my best, I still had to go out there and do my job.” He shrugged. “Now it’s just the way I live.”

“Is that how you want to live?”

Frowning, he paused. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…I get the idea of believing in yourself and putting on a brave face even when you don’t feel it, but…do you allow yourself to just feel? Do you accept that some days you’re just not at your best, or do you beat yourself up for it?”

“Um…” He laughed softly. “That was a pretty heavy question.”

“You’re right. Sorry. There’s just something about you that fascinates me. Like I can’t figure you out.”

Putting his glass down, he met her gaze. “Do you want to figure me out?” It was a bold question, he knew that, but he was also dying to know the answer.

All she did was nod.

Okay, so that meant…?

“I’m going to be fully transparent here, Chloe,” he said carefully. “I like you. I thought after the kiss we shared that maybe you liked me too and wanted to get to know me. But you sort of cut that down quick and I respected that.”

“I know,” she quietly admitted. “The whole thing kind of freaked me out and you have to know that I don’t normally do that sort of thing. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that.”

Reaching across the table, he placed his hand on top of hers. “I’m not asking anyone anything because it’s no one’s business but ours. I like that you felt like you could do something like that with me and…I wouldn’t be opposed if you wanted to do something like that again.”

The blush was back in full force as she looked down at their hands.

“Either way, I’m just happy to be here. If you want us to just be colleagues who are friends, then I’m fine with that, but I wanted you to know how I feel too. So if you’d rather we just have dinner and discuss the curriculum, it’s okay. I’m not going to be offended, and I’m certainly not going to put any pressure on you.”

She didn’t say anything right away, but as she slowly pulled her hand out from under his, she said, “I’d like to just see how the night goes. No plan, no agenda. Just us taking the time to get to know each other and talk about…whatever.” Then she laughed softly. “I mean, I really do want to talk about the curriculum, but it’s not the only thing. Is that okay?”

“More than.” And that’s when Tanner felt like he could finally relax. Scooping up some guacamole on a chip, he asked, “So…why Mexican? How did this become your specialty?”

And for the next hour, they discussed her love of cooking, his lack of knowing how to cook anything other than the basics, favorite books, movies…everything you would cover on a first date.

When the enchiladas were ready, Chloe served them, and they talked about Tanner’s career in skiing and his spokesperson responsibilities.

“When the season opens, I’ll go up to the lodge and do some sort of opening ceremony with them and then sign stuff in the pro shop,” he explained. “My sponsors haven’t organized anything else for me recently, but I let them know about this event.”

“Would they ask you to travel to different events?”

“They have in the past, but they know I’m teaching now, and my schedule isn’t as flexible as it used to be.”

“But…won’t that be a deterrent to them? Like…why would they keep you on if you weren’t able to be where they want you to be?”

Good question.

But he shrugged. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I knew I wasn’t going to do that sort of thing forever, but for as long as they still want me, I’ll do my best to appear wherever they’d like.” He took a bite of his dinner. “Do you ski?”

She laughed. “Um…no. I’m completely uncoordinated and really okay with it. The last time I tried to ski, I was fifteen and I broke my arm, so…”

“Gotcha. It’s good to know your strengths.”

“And weaknesses,” she teased. “But…I’m a great spectator and love sitting with a cup of hot cocoa and watching my friends and family ski. Sometimes I go sledding, though. That’s always fun.”

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