Page 49 of Tangled

“You’re welcome anytime,” my mom says as we gather our coats and walk out the front door.

“I’m going to have to run five miles to burn off that meal, but it was so worth it,” Clara confesses, her usual snarky self returning.

“Me too.”

“So, what happens now with Kane?”

I shrug. “I’m not sure. We exchanged numbers before we left last night. The ball is in his court, really. I mean, he doesn’t have much experience dating, so I don’t want him to feel pressured. But I’m excited to see where this goes.”

“Well, you better keep me updated,” she smiles before giving me a hug, hurrying our goodbye as the cold air and wind swirls around us.

“I will. Where are you headed for work this week?”

“Chicago and then Boston. But I’ll be home by Friday. We should do something.”

“Definitely. I’ll let you know.”

“Love ya, Liv.”

“Love ya, too, girl. Goodnight,” I say while closing my car door and making the short drive back to my apartment. As I get ready for bed that night, I can’t help but feel anxious for seeing Kane again at work. I plan out my outfit so I look killer tomorrow and open up my book to quell my thoughts before I fall asleep.

Being home again brings a peace over me I was searching for when I first arrived. Even though I questioned everything that brought me back to Emerson Falls, I can’t help but feel like things are starting to make sense.

Chapter 22

Kane

I don’t think I’ve ever been this eager to get to work before. After Saturday night with Olivia, I’m itching to make progress. I didn’t officially ask her out on a date yet, but I know I need to soon. The more I stew on the idea of spending more time with her, the more anxious I am to move things along between us. She’s the first person in a long time that makes me want more out of life. And I’m hoping the surprise I have for her this morning will help me score even more brownie points.

“Hey, Phil,” I greet our morning custodian in the dark before the sun rises. Phil gets here before any of the staff, hosing down sidewalks, picking up trash, and restocking restrooms before the day begins. Custodians and secretaries are some of the most pivotal staff members of a school, and I was told early on to never get on their bad side or they could make your life a living hell. Lucky for me, Phil and I hit it off, and I always make sure to say hello to him in the morning when I see him, especially today since I need a favor.

“Garrison. Here earlier than normal today? What gives?” His deep voice resonates in the cold as I can see both of our breaths while we speak.

“Yeah. I uh, kinda need a favor. Could you let me into room 104 please?”

Phil eyes the coffee in my hand and then a knowing smile creeps across his face.

“Is that coffee for her?” He asks, knowing who all the classrooms belong to.

“Yeah. I need to make sure I drop it off before she gets here.”

Phil nods. “And the wooing begins,” he chuckles as I follow him to Olivia’s classroom.

Once the coffee and note are securely delivered, I thank Phil for his help and hightail it back to my room before Olivia arrives and can see me. I’m sure she’ll know the coffee is from me as soon as she sees it and reads my message, but I don’t want to blow my cover.

By the time my prep period rolls around, I haven’t heard a word from Olivia. I know she was probably busy teaching, but I figured I’d get some sort of reaction from her—a text, an email, or even a phone call to say thanks. Just when I feel a wave of disappointment come over me, there’s a knock on my classroom door.

Opening the steel barricade, I’m elated to see my beautiful redhead in front of me, holding up her cup of coffee with Ellen DeGeneres’ face on it.

“Did you enjoy your coffee date?” I ask her, loving the smile on her face.

“Ellen was quite the company. Of course, we were interrupted by my students asking questions every five minutes. But it was definitely a coffee date for the books,” she winks at me while taking a sip. “But she promised to bring Jennifer Aniston along next time, since they’re best buds, you know.”

“I figured I could help make some of your dreams come true,” I say while opening the door wider and inviting her in. She glides in on her heels, her body draped in a navy blue pantsuit cinched at her waist that makes her look powerful and sexy as hell. The top half of her hair is pulled off of her face while the rest of it drapes down her back in soft curls. I take the opportunity to marvel at the way her ass looks in those pants before she turns around and gazes around my classroom.

“Well, I truly appreciated the gesture. Thank you,” she beams. “So this is your room?” She searches the space, walking casually around to admire my walls.

“Oh, yeah. You haven’t been in here yet, have you?”

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