Page 28 of Secret Love

I miss the old guy. I have Beau and Linc at my place and they’re great too, but Charlie was with me from the beginning. When Bree and I divorced and I moved out, I asked Charlie and Dave, the daytime security, to stay here since the girls’ safety is my priority.

My house feels empty when I get home. I look at Tru’s number that I put in my phone after she left the voicemail. I think about texting her, but we’re not friends, and with her being Cassidy’s teacher, it would be even weirder. I meant what I said to Bree though—I’m grateful Tru opened our eyes.

CHAPTER TEN

PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING

TRU

It's been a busy week. After meeting with Mr. Hanson to discuss Cassidy Ward and my thoughts on her reading, I proceed with his approval. There's no doubt in my mind after her tests that she needs this extra help. I’m amazed that she’s done so well in spite of it, but I come up with a plan that I think will greatly benefit her.

I email the test results to Henley and Bree, mentioning we can meet anytime to talk about it, and Cassidy and I meet two afternoons in a row to work together. On Wednesday afternoon, I get a message from Henley asking if we can meet the next afternoon to discuss everything. Bree emailed, thanking me for the information, but I don’t know if she’ll make it to the meeting or not.

On Thursday, it’s possible that I put a little more effort into my appearance than normal when I get ready for the day. Well, Mrs. Davenport thinks I put in too much effort every day, but that’s just me. For my first day here, I was dressed in my most conservative suit, but now that they’ve hired me, I’ve pulled out the vintage dresses. Why not? Life is short. I like consignment shops and repurposing things, especially clothes. Today’s dress is a ‘50s Kelly green dress with white piping and three large buttons at the top. It’s fitted and hits my knee, modest but fun with the white detailing.

When Henley walks in that afternoon, I try to act unaffected by his sexy, hulking frame in my classroom. It's impossible. He affects me and I wish I were a better actress.

“Your hair.” His voice is gruff as he stares at me with wide eyes.

I put a hand self-consciously on my hair. “Is it going haywire?”

“It goes to your waist…”

“Oh, yes. It does.” I chuckle awkwardly. “I don’t wear it down to school very often, but I washed it last night.” Another laugh from me that makes me sound like I’m one of the students here.

“It’s beautiful.” He smiles.

“Thank you.” I gulp.

“How's your week been?”

“It's been great. How about yours?” I look down at my desk, feeling uncertain of how to even deal with him.

My heart is thundering out of my chest because of his compliment and just being near him…and he's the father of one of my students. I'm attracted to him and things between us have been a little wonky from the get-go.

He’s just a man, I tell myself. An extremely hot man who makes me want to take a bite out of his biceps, but whatever.

“I’ve had a good week too.” His eyes meet mine, warm and friendly, and I have to glance down at my desk again or he’ll be able to see the attraction.

I wasn’t afraid to show it that first day, but we’re on a whole other playing field now.

“I wanted to talk to you about the plan I have for Cassidy and hear your thoughts on it. Are we waiting for Bree or is it just us?” My face heats when I sayusand I hope he doesn’t notice.

“Just us. Bree will be on board with whatever needs to be done, but she had to work this afternoon. Thank you for meeting with me. I’d like to understand what’s going on a little better…a lot better.” He clears his throat and looks at me almost shyly. “Cassidy is already encouraged by the things you've worked on together and I just want to thank you for that.”

I set Cassidy’s folder down as I look at him. He’s making this really hard. I preferred being annoyed at him rather than the tidal wave of desire that’s flooding through me. And I’m really touched that he’s so involved in his daughter’s life.

“Oh, it’s…I’m so glad to hear that. I was worried I came on too strong when I met with you and Bree the other day.”

“Not at all.”

I open my laptop and Cassidy’s folder and show him what we’ve been doing, exercises that can help her, and even games that she can play at home that will make learning these techniques more fun.

“This is incredible,” he says, after we’ve talked for almost fifteen minutes. “No wonder she’s been happier the past few days. This is fun.”

“The best way to learn, in my opinion.” I grin. “Another simple trick that will help her: large font. Since each student has an iPad at the school, which Ilove, I put some of these things I’ve shown you on her iPad, but also, with any book she reads on it, she can increase the size. There are even fonts created for those with dyslexia that show more white space. Cassidy read something for me yesterday using one of those fonts, and her reading was so much faster and more accurate.”

“This is impressive, Tru…is it okay if I call you that?”

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