Page 69 of Secret Love

“What did I miss?” Sadie looks at me.

“Tru was just telling us she’d met Rhodes at your house…and she insists she’s not his type, but she likes one of his friends…” Calista says. She makes an apologetic face. “Sorry, there’s a reason small towns are known for the gossip.”

Sadie looks over at me and winks. “I think I have a pretty good idea.”

“My bet is on Penn,” Calista says. “That boy is fine. A little too pretty for me, butfine.”

Elle shakes her head. “I think Bowie. He’s hot and so mysterious. You never fully know what he’s thinking, but know he would lift a car off of you if he had to.”

We all crack up at that.

“Lift a car off of you?” Calista repeats. “Is that what every woman wants?” She lifts her hand. “Yes, please. I do.”

We laugh again.

“You’ve already got a man who would do that.” Elle moves a stack of books and pokes Calista in the side. “Javi worships the ground you walk on, and he’s hot as hell.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right.” Calista grins.

Sadie smiles at me again.

And I don’t know if it’s because I miss my mom, or if it’s because these girls are so fun and sweet and easy to be around, but I open my mouth and start talking.

“It’s Henley. But we can’t be a thing. We can’t. And it’s too late to even say that because from the moment we met, there was an instant spark, but I’m his daughter’s English teacher, and I also teach the dance class two of his daughters are in…and it’s just…I’m making progress with…” I shake my head. I’m talkingwaytoo fast. “It just can’t happen again.”

“Damn,” Elle says, staring at me. The grin on her face just keeps growing. “I am in awe of you, girl. Henley Ward has been putting out the off-limits vibe for as long as I’ve known him. I've seen what happens when he goes out with the guys. The women swarm Henley, and I’ve never seen him pay them any attention. So when you say there was an instant spark, and it sounds like something hasalready happened, my hat is off to you.”

“Oh, there’s a spark between them all right. More like a raging bonfire,” Sadie says.

I fan my face, laughing.

Calista claps her hands. “I mean, I would have said Henley first, except exactly what Elle is saying. That man is so hot and he just keeps getting better. And look at you with this little age gap thing going. That is so sexy,” she says.

We all laugh and I put my hands on my fevered face.

“I need to forget about the sparks we might have because his daughter caught me at his place this morning. And I put an end to whatever we had just started.”

“No,” Calista moans.

“Aw, Tru,” Sadie says. “You guys can work it out, right?”

“I’m not sure. I think the timing is all wrong.” I lift my shoulder and try to act nonchalant about it, but I can tell they see through me.

This whole conversation is so much better than the tears I would’ve been shedding if I’d gone home instead.

I do see that in my future tonight though.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

PEACEFUL BADGERING

HENLEY

I shoot the guys a text before I leave for Bree’s house. She ended up picking up Audrey from dance, so I still haven’t talked to her about anything.

I need a meeting ASAP.

Penn

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