Page 53 of Wanting You

“I get that, but…”

“And in all the gushing, they’re talking about projects and lessons that he’s doing that he doesn’t tell me about! So every day when we talk about lesson plans and…and…”

“Projects?”

“Yes! Projects! Every day when we talk, he never mentions the stuff he’s doing. So I go on and on and on about things I think he can do or things I’ve done in the past and he’s always so supportive and telling me it all sounds great, but then he doesn’t do any of them! Why would he lie to me?”

Her sister blinked at her for several moments before she spoke. “Let me get this straight…you’re upset because he’s making his class his own and not doing what you tell him to do. Do I have that right?”

“Well, when you say it like that, I sound like I’m being petty and childish,” Chloe murmured.

“Because you are being petty and childish,” Ashlynn said with a frown. “That’s not like you. What in the world, Chloe? So Tanner’s doing his own thing and doing it well? You should be happy for him! As your boyfriend, I would think you’d be all proud of him and stuff.”

How was she supposed to explain this?

“I am proud of him,” she argued, “but I just wish he’d be honest with me, so I don’t feel like such a loser when I listen to people talk about him!”

“Wait…now you feel like a loser?” Leaning back in her chair, Ashlynn shook her head. “I think we need to back up here a bit. And maybe order some Chinese food and go to my place to talk. Reid’s working the overnight shift, so he won’t disturb us.” She picked up her phone. “Should I call Billie and Jade? Maybe MacKenzie too?”

“What? No! No!” Groaning, she jumped up. “Why would I want even more people to know I’m acting like a crazy person? Just hearing you imply it is enough to make me want to cry!”

And then—dammit—her eyes stung and tears were streaming down her face.

“Oh, Chlo…come on. Don’t do that!” Ashlynn immediately stood up and hugged her.

“Why am I being like this?” she murmured. “I shouldn’t feel threatened, right? It’s not like Sweetbriar is suddenly going to go backwards and only need one kindergarten teacher again and they’ll pick Tanner over me.”

Pulling back, she gasped.

“What if they choose Tanner over me?” And now she was crying in earnest.

“Okay, okay…hang on one minute. Sit down and let me just make sure my schedule’s clear. I’ll be right back.” Then she dashed out of the office, shutting the door behind her.

“Probably making sure no one sees her crazy sister,” Chloe mumbled, wiping away the tears. Her phone dinged with an incoming text and she stupidly reached for it.

Tanner: Hey, Beautiful! I was just at the coffee shop and heard I just missed you.

Tanner: I have to do a little shopping. What do you say to dinner at my place?

Groaning, she contemplated telling him exactly what she thought of his offer of dinner, but then realized she wasn’t thinking clearly.

Chloe: Thanks, but I ran into Ash and we’re having dinner together.

Chloe: I’ll see you at school tomorrow.

There. No heart emojis or smiley faces, just words.

Right, like that’s going to prove anything.

Tanner: Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?

Okay, maybe that did prove something.

Chloe: Why would you even ask that?

Ugh…why did I pick up the phone?

Tanner: Because you’re being a little short with me and I can tell.

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