Page 31 of Secret Love

She's twenty-four, I remind myself.

I have never ever been so attracted to anyone this much younger than me. Age aside, I’m not sure I’ve ever been this attracted to anyone,period. But the age thing is unsettling. I think the biggest age difference I’ve considered is five years…and that was maybe one or two women. She's twelve freaking years younger than me but looking every bit old enough when she looks me up and down like she's liking what she sees.

I tug my shirt away from my neck, needing a little more air, and walk toward her. I'm intercepted by Weston and Sadie. He’sunable to hide his smirk. The text thread with the guys makes a lot more sense now. I level him with a stare.

“How long have you been cooking this up?” I ask.

Sadie giggles. “It justhappened,” she whispers. “We met her the other night at Luminary andhit it off!”

Sadie is adorable and has become one of my close friends. I love the woman, so it’s impossible to be upset with her on a normal day, but especially when she's so happy and animated about her new friend.

“That doesn't surprise me. I hit it off with her the first time we met as well,” I say under my breath.

Weston elbows me. “And now it's time to do it all over again, only in a more romantic environment than the grocery store,” he says quietly.

The two of them look like they’re about to dance across the room, they’re so excited. I scrub my hand over my face.

“I can't believe you guys did this,” I say between clenched teeth.

“Come on, it'll be good. When we ran into her, I thought it was just meant to be,” Sadie says, eyes bright. “Okay, don't look, but she's behind you,” she whispers.

I can't help myself because I'm dying to look at Tru again. I turn and she's right in front of me.

“What a surprise running into you,” she says, grinning.

“The surprise is on me. I had no idea you'd be here,” I tell her. She looks like she doesn't believe me.

“Yeah, I didn't tell him we met you the other night,” Sadie says a little too brightly. “You guys know each other?” It’s said so innocently, but it's obvious that she knows better. She couldn't be more obvious if she tried.

“We've met,” Tru says. “Several times now. Everywhere I turn, you’re there.” She laughs.

I smirk and her cheeks turn rosy. I fucking love it.

“Yes, Tru is Cassidy's English teacherandCassidy and Audrey's dance teacher as well.”

“Wow,” Weston says. “You guys are just running into each other all over the place.”

I look at him sharply, but he just grins. Maybe it’s good that this is happening. Maybe it’ll send Tru running in the other direction when she sees me coming, so I don’t have to deal with being so attracted to my daughter’s English teacher…who’s twelve years younger than me.

“It's nice to meet people as soon as you move into a new town,” Weston adds. “We wanted to introduce her to some of our friends.”

“Even Caleb was won over right away.” Sadie grins at Tru, who beams back.

Damn, that smile.

“Where is that guy by the way?” I ask.

Not even a second later, I hear,“Unca Hen!”

I turn, laughing, and see Caleb running my way. His grandma Lane is chasing him.

“I’m sorry,” she says, laughing and out of breath. “I was trying to keep him inside so you guys could enjoy some adult time, but he saw Henley through the window and was out the door before I could stop him.”

The little guy collides into my legs, and I sweep him up high in the air while he cackles. “Hey there, little buddy. How are you doing tonight?”

“Dood,” he says.

I chuckle, loving the way he mixes his G’s with his D’s. Lane and Tru gasp when I toss him in the air, and Caleb laughs so hard. Weston and Sadie are used to it by now, but they all sigh in relief when he's safe in my arms.

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