Page 50 of Taking a King

I hold my breath, unable to say anything.

“We’d like to make a formal offer to you, Claire. If you’re still interested in the position.”

It takes several seconds for my brain to understand what she just said. When it finally hits me, I let out a relieved breath, a wide grin stretching across my face.

“Really?” I ask, cringing as soon as the word leaves my mouth.

Bridget laughs. “Really,” she says. “To be honest, your resume wasn’t the most glamorous, but I felt—and principal Parker agreed—that you were the best fit for the job. We like you, Claire. And we both think the kids will like you and respond well to your style of teaching.

“Even though I don’t have a teaching degree?” I say, wincing. What am I doing? Am I trying to make her change her mind?

“Believe it or not, neither do I,” Bridget says. “I have an art degree. Once upon a time, I was the art teacher at Oak Hill Elementary.”

I smile. “That’s amazing,” I say. “I bet you were a great teacher.”

“I like to think so,” Bridget says. “So, I’ll take this to mean you’re still interested?”

“Oh, yes! Absolutely.”

“Good,” she says. “I’ll have HR email you the offer. Once you accept, we’ll get things moving along.”

“Thank you so much,” I say, barely able to contain my excitement.

“Thank you,” she says. “Congratulations on becoming Oak Hill Elementary’s newest teacher, Miss King.”

After ending the call, I stand in the middle of the sidewalk, unmoving for several minutes trying to understand what just happened. I got the job. I’m going to teach music. All at once, I begin to laugh, unable to contain my excitement. Holy shit. I got the job. I need to call Quinn. I need to call my brothers. I need to tell Garrett. That thought is enough to temper some of my excitement.

Chapter Twenty-seven

Garrett

I spend most of the next day while Claire is at her studio trying to figure out the best way to tell her that I love her. I think up a dozen different grand gestures and toss the ideas aside. The idea of just blurting it out as soon as she walks in the door holds some appeal, but it doesn’t feel special enough for this. I need something amazing just for her.

When I’m not thinking of Claire, I spend the rest of my time trying to figure out how to break it to my CO that I’m not reenlisting. I hate feeling like I’m letting him down or like I’m letting down my fellow Marines. But now that I’ve come to the decision, I realize how right it feels. I may not have a legitimate career plan for the future, but I know where I want to be and that feels like a big step. By the afternoon, I’m no closer to figuring out a solution to either of my current dilemmas.

I consider calling Ronan and asking him if his offer of a job with the Oak Hill PD still stands, but I don’t. I want to wait until I talk to Claire before I tell her brother my plans. She deserves to be the first person to know. I feel a thrill of excitement tinged with a hint of fear at the realization that everything is going to change today. I don’t know if Claire is in love with me or not, but I know she cares deeply for me. If it’s not love now, maybe it will come later. I can be patient. I just need to know that she sees a future with me. That will be enough for now.

My phone rings, pulling me back to the present. I pick it up half-expecting to see my CO’s name on the screen. To my surprise, it’s my brother.

“Hey, bro,” I say with a smile. “What’s up?”

My brother, Matthew is two years younger than me. Aside from the usual kid arguments, we’ve always been pretty close. He may be younger than me, but he’s already beaten me to the alter, much to my mom’s dismay. Matthew married his high school sweetheart as soon as he finished college and they got right to work giving my mom grandkids. My niece, Ella is two now and absolutely the most adorable kid in the world. That opinion is completely unbiased.

“Don’t give me ‘hey bro’”, Matthew says. “Mom’s pissed at you and I’ve been the one who has to hear about it.”

I wince. “How pissed?”

“Remember the broken plate when you were 12?”

I sigh. “That bad?”

“Close,” Matthew says. “I’ve been distracting her with Ella time.”

I smile. “How’s my favorite niece?”

“She’s your only niece,” he says. “She’s great. Ruling the house already. And stop trying to change the subject. When are you coming home to see Mom?”

I sigh. “I’m not sure.”

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