Page 41 of Tangled

One of these flimsy handshakes I’m receiving right now just irritates my soul.

“Alice. So, how have the little punks been treating you?” She grits out while taking a sip from her red wine. She’s got that saliva build-up in the corners of her mouth that is making me want to gag.

“Uh, just fine actually. I really love my students.”

“Ha. Just give it time,” she snarks, and I immediately know I need to get as far away from this woman as I can before she wrangles me into her cult of teachers who stick around in the profession for the summers off and full benefits.

I know teachers like her. There are a few at every school. They hate their jobs and really don’t like kids, yet they’ve been there for so long, there’s no reason for them to leave. It’s so unfair to the students who end up in their classrooms. I vow to never be one of those teachers.

“Olivia, there you are,” the voice I hear immediately pulls my attention as I twist around and am greeted by Kane, dressed in dark jeans and a black pea coat, his hair perfectly tousled and his beard neatly trimmed, framing that rugged jaw and highlighting those whiskey-colored eyes. Damn, why does he have to be so freaking sexy?

“Yes, uh, here I am,” I answer timidly, not really sure where he’s going with this.

“Sorry, Alice, but I need to steal Olivia away. There’s a situation I need her assistance with. You have a great evening,” he politely dismisses her while reaching for my hand, interlacing our fingers together before pulling me behind him out of the back door of the garage and onto a large patio, overlooking a forested field, the music from inside the garage becoming just a distant sound.

The feel of our hands entangled together makes butterflies take flight in my stomach, the warmth of his skin on mine helps heat me up as the frigid air hits my face. Kane takes the lead as he walks us past a few people sitting at a steel patio table and around the corner where a standing swing sits under the eaves of the porch, overlooking a different side of the property.

“Take a seat,” he urges me and I comply, even though I’m completely confused as to why he pulled me away from everyone. This is the man that now, on more than one occasion, I have vowed to stay away from—for his benefit—and yet, he’s the one making it a mission for us to be alone.

The side of the house we’re perched up against is dimly lit, only the residual light cast from the front and back of the house providing enough glow that I can still see the features of Kane’s face, the same ones that pulled me in that first night and I haven’t managed to forget.

“Sorry to pull you away, but believe me, I was saving you from a torturous conversation with Alice.”

I chuckle as I realize Kane was protecting me, an unfamiliar feeling hitting me in my chest. If you would have asked me last week if I thought Kane would come to my rescue again, I would have laughed in your face. He saved me from crickets already, but after our encounters since then, I assumed our relationship was headed in a very different direction.

“As soon as she opened her mouth, I knew I was in for a world of hurt.”

“Yup. That woman will suck you in and spin a web around you of venomous thread, and before you know it, you’ll start believing everything she says.”

“You forget, Kane. I’ve been a teacher at another school before this. I know about the Alice’s of the educational world.”

He gives me a half smile before realizing he’s still holding my hand, releasing mine gently as he turns to face me more. Propping one foot on his other knee, he tilts his head in my direction.

“Where did you teach before this?”

“Uh, in Northern California, a little outside of Napa. Being that close to wine country sure had its perks,” I jest while adjusting my hair behind one of my ears.

“So what brought you to Emerson Falls then?” Kane’s eyes are studying me, making me even more nervous about this conversation. I have so many questions for him about why he suddenly seemed intrigued by me, but I can’t help but relish in the feeling of being normal with him right now, talking like two human beings who genuinely want to get to know each other.

I debate how much to divulge before opting for vagueness.

“I needed a change, so I came home. I actually grew up here. I went to Emerson Falls High, believe it or not.”

Kane’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “No kidding? How did it feel sitting in the stands the other night then?”

“It was odd, to say the least, but obviously I'm no stranger to that stadium. Emerson is just where I work now,” I answer, giving him a small glance into mypast.

“What’s your favorite color?”

I’m taken aback at his abrupt change in topic and more than innocent question.

“Uh, teal.”

“Nice. Favorite food?”

“Sushi,” I answer, pondering this inquisition even further.

“Never had it. When’s your birthday?”

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