Page 83 of How We Fooled

Afterward, I hold her in my arms, feeling whole for the first time since November.

“Hi,” she whispers once she gets settled.

I laugh out loud, realizing we forgot that part. “Hi. It’s good to see you. How have you been?” I play along with formal greetings.

She giggles, hiding her face in my arms. “I’m much better now.”

I hold her tighter. “Couldn’t agree more. Only three more months, and we’ll get to do this every day.”

She doesn’t respond, and I sense her hesitation. Though I won’t be her student anymore in June, I also know we can’t just go public with our relationship the day I graduate. We haven’t discussed how that will work and when she’ll feel like we can make that transition from teacher and student to dating without the world questioning us. For now though, I’m just counting down the days until June because even if people don’t like it, there’s technically nothing wrong with it.

My stomach growls, making her laugh.

“Some things never change.”

“Yes, my love for you is just as strong as my love for food,” I tease.

“What’s our plan? DoorDash?”

“Nope, I’m taking you out.” I kiss her head and stand up. “I want to show off my girl and have a real date. It’s been way too long since I’ve gotten to walk while holding your hand or share a meal with you.”

Hesitation laces her words. “Are you sure?”

I crawl on the bed on my knees, reaching for her hands and bringing her up to me. “I’m positive. We’re hours from home in a small town. No one will know or see us. Let’s be normal for once.”

She smiles and kisses me softly. “Okay.”

We get dressed and walk hand in hand to my truck, loving the fact that we can.

Since we had to wait until school was out, then drive the few hours, it’s past nine, but I found a place that stays open until midnight, turning from a restaurant to more of a bar so we can stay much longer.

After we drive there and park, we exit the truck, and I hold the large wooden door open to a building that looks like an old cabin that’s been built up and expanded upon. The area inside is dark, lit by candles on the wall that make you feel like you’re in an old mining town in the 1900s.

Deer heads line the entryway, leading us to a person standing at a podium.

“Two for dinner? Or do you want to sit in the bar area?”

“We’ll do the dining area,” I respond, seeing it’s a little more secluded, and I don’t want to get in a situation later on where they might ask to see my ID.

“Okay, follow me,” she says, holding two menus.

I place my hand on the small of Liza’s back as she leads us to our booth.

This late at night, the place is pretty quiet, so there are only a few people in their own booths around us, who are just finishing up their meal.

As time goes by, we get our meals, and from here, I can see the bar is starting to attract more people.

I motion to Liza. “This must be quite the hangout.”

She laughs. “It’s probably the only hangout.”

The waitress approaches our table. “Do you have room for any dessert?”

I raise my eyebrows at Liza, making her giggle.

“He has room for everything. Me though? I’m stuffed.” She places her hand on her stomach. “Get whatever you want. I’ll just have a few bites.” She turns to face the waitress. “Where is the restroom?”

“It’s right through the bar to the left,” she responds.

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