Page 167 of My Rules

“You did?” His eyes widen. “That’s fantastic.” He picks me up and spins me around, knocking me from my feet. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I had so much going on, I must have forgotten.”

“This is great.” He kisses me again. “We’ll celebrate in Cancún.”

“Okay.”

I watch him walk down the front steps and back over to his house as a dreamy sense of contentment washes over me. We are really doing this; it’s actually happening.

Wait a minute ... I just told him it’s okay to tell people. What happened to my plan of taking this slow? Telling people is the opposite of slow.

Ugh, Rebecca.

You are officially hopeless.

“Okay, everyone.” I smile at my class. “Grab your library bags. We are going up to visit Mrs. Jones for story time.”

Knock, knock. I glance up to see Marlene from the front office standing at the door with a giant crystal vase filled with the biggest, most beautiful red roses that I have ever seen, and my eyes widen.

“Miss Dalton, you have a very special delivery.” She smiles broadly.

I nearly skip over to her. “Thank you so much.”

“Oh wow,” my kids gush with excitement. “Who are they from, Miss Dalton?” someone calls.

Ahhh, Blake sent me roses.

Hot and romantic: this man is winning at everything. I set them on my desk and smile goofily as I open the card.

Fifteen years ago today, we went on our first date.

Every happy memory I ever had is with you.

Of you.

You were my first love.

My only love, my last love.

Forever your husband,

John

Chapter 18

My face falls as the fairy tale dissipates, and I stuff the card back into the envelope.

The kids all laugh and bounce around in excitement as they wait for some information from me, and I just want to scream. “There’s been a mistake. These flowers aren’t for me, Miss Marlene.” I take them back to her. “These are for you.”

The children all laugh, as if this is the funniest thing they have ever seen.

“What’s wrong?” she whispers.

“You take them.” I shove the vase into her arms. “I don’t want them.”

“Why not?”

“They’re from my ex-husband.”

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