Page 7 of Secret Love

His head rears back and he stands there for a few seconds, looking confused. I’d help him out further if my temper wasn’t a little spiky itself.

“You’re not Mrs. Carboni,” he states.

“No, I am not.”

A few seconds of silence follow.

“Well, now I feel like a true asshole,” he says.

I tilt my head likeyou said it, not me.

“I’m so sorry,” he says. “Tru…uh, Mrs.—” He lifts his eyebrows, waiting for me to fill in the rest.

“MissSeymour.” I look up at him, not bothering to smooth over this awkward moment.

“I…was out of line.”

“You were.”

“I hope you’ll forgive me.” He stares at me for a second and fiddles with the stapler on the desk. His tall, muscular framemakes the classroom feel smaller. “Uh…did you say Cassidy turned in her project?”

“Yes, she did. The bell rang just as she was turning it in.”

“Good.”

He taps the desk and looks at me through lowered brows. I still haven’t seen a wedding ring on his finger, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.

“Well, I guess I’ll be seeing you,” he says. He gives me a crooked smile and my iciness thaws somewhat but not entirely.

I nod. “Have a nice day, Mr. Ward.” My voice is cool and his smile falters.

“Henley,” he says.

“Hmm. You can show yourself out, Mr. Ward.”

He sighs and walks to the door, looking at me over his shoulder one last time before walking out.

Well, that was disappointing. After such a fun interaction with Henley this morning, I didn’t see that coming.

Growing up, there were times I wished my dad would stand up for me, so I can respect that Henley did that for his daughter.

But a lifetime of being my dad’s emotional punching bag cured me of ever taking it from another man.

No, thank you.

I’d rather be single for the rest of my life than ever be spoken to that way again.

CHAPTER THREE

FLOWERS WOULDN’T HURT

HENLEY

Rhodes

You forget our meeting?

Running a little late, but I’ll be there.

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