Page 80 of Head Over Skates

Emily waves her hand in my direction. “Chew away.”

Shannon turns to me, holding up the envelope. "Apparently, Cyrus has been accepted into a school I knew nothing about. A very expensive school. Then I turn the page and what do I find? His tuition and fees for the next three years have already been paid in full by an anonymous benefactor. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you, Owen?"

I rub the back of my neck, avoiding her accusatory gaze. "I may have pulled some strings to get him a spot..." I admit. "And taken care of the finances. But Shannon, it's a great opportunity for him! That school has so many advantages - small classes, excellent facilities, top-notch teachers. Cyrus will thrive there."

Shannon sighs, her posture drooping slightly. "I appreciate you looking out for him, Owen. But you should have talked to me first before going behind my back like this."

“She’s right, you know,” Emily chirps.

“Thank you, my wonderfully supportive buttercup.” I say through my teeth.

She shrugs one shoulder adorably.

"Listen, Shannon. You're absolutely right, I'm sorry," I say earnestly. "But please, put aside your pride on this one. Let Cyrus go to this school. He already made friends that go there. Titans kids he met at the game.”

I see her expression soften just a fraction. As much as she wants to resist, even Shannon can't deny what an amazing chance this is for Cyrus.

Finally, she sighs, shaking her head. "Alright. I'll allow Cyrus to attend on one condition—I pay half of the tuition."

I start to protest, but she silences me with a look. "Those are my terms. Take them or leave them."

“But… it’s already paid for.”

“Then I’ll pay you back.”

“Quit while you’re ahead, big guy,” Emily warns.

“Okay,” I concede. “You can pay me back.”

And I’ll set aside that money for his college education. Maybe put it in stocks so it will grow. I’m a genius.

Before I know it, Emily is packing Shannon a tupperware full of the chocolate chip cookies she made yesterday. And I mean that plastic container is filled to bursting. I know I’m not supposed to have sweets, but I get a little possessive about the treats Emily bakes for me. When I look in the cookie jar, there are only two left.

I’m pretty much invisible as the ladies chatter about things I don’t understand. Emily gives Shannon a paper bag for her goodies. Not only the cookies. The last of the pasta salad I love somuch with feta and artichoke hearts, the buttermilk biscuits she made from scratch, and a bottle of my best wine.

As Shannon heads out, I see her and Emily exchanging phone numbers.

"We should get coffee sometime," Emily says brightly. "We can do that buddy-read. And hey, if you ever need a break, I'm happy to babysit."

Shannon smiles warmly. "I'd like that. Thank you, Emily."

"Wait, what?” I cry. You just met and already you're BFFs? I'm Cyrus’ flesh and blood and I have to bend over backwards to have him for an afternoon!”

They ignore my rant and hug, and I have to admit, it makes me happy to see them bonding. Shannon has always been so guarded, keeping people at arm's length. But Emily's natural warmth seems to have broken through some of those walls.

After Shannon leaves, Emily turns to me with a pleased smile. "So… that was unexpected."

I wrap my arms around her waist, drawing her in close. “You’reunexpected.”

I kiss her neck, working my fingers down the jersey and slip them under the hem. I lift it up so her denim shorts are exposed. She moans, tilting her head to the side to give me better access. I run my lips down to her collarbone, nibbling at the skin along her shoulder where the jersey hangs low. My hand reaches around to her backside. I feel for the soft edge of the fabric where it meets her skin and… give her a smart swat.

“Ouch!”

“You love it.”

“Maybe… But what was that for?”

Pressing soothing circles on the tender spot, I say. “My cookies. My pasta salad. My homemade biscuits…”

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