Page 5 of Christmas Criminal

We walk out together, the school eerily dark as he closes the door and locks up behind him. He scribbles quickly across my timecard and hands it back to me as we descend the concrete stairs to the parking lot.

"You know, I never really thought about schools having locks," I say, as we head toward the only two cars.

"Yeah, unfortunately there's always going to be some kid who has a bad idea."

I laugh. "Hence the community service."

He grins. "I think you're a little old to be considered a kid with a bad idea."

I glare at him. "Hasn't anyone told you never to comment on a woman's age?"

As we reach my car, he turns to me, ignoring my question. "So, what timing works for you? School nights or weekend hours?"

I shrug, leaning against my car. "Weekends, probably. Unless my sister has something come up," I say, before realizing how much of an excuse that sounds like. "She broke her leg," I explain. "So she's not totally mobile right now."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," he says. "Well, I can give you my number and you can let me know what sort of schedule works for you?"

I swallow. "Yeah. I kind of thought the hours would be a little more rigid."

"Well, like I said, you're my only criminal." He pauses as if he's waiting for me to do something, and then clears his throat. "I, uh, don't have a card or anything, if you want me to put my number in your phone. For scheduling."

I nod, scrambling to pull my phone out of my purse. "Right. Sorry."

I pull up my contacts and hand it over.

A moment later, he hands it back, and I see on the screen he's saved his number under 'Saint Nick.'

"Seriously?" I ask. "Saint Nick?"

He shrugs, grinning. "So you won't forget me."

A smile spreads across my face despite my best efforts. I nod. "Ican'tforget you, or else Hank Grundy is going to show up at my door and drag me to jail."

Nick laughs. "Hey, whatever it takes to leave an impression." He pats the roof of my car before continuing on to his own. "Text me, Criminal," he calls over his shoulder.

I kind of want to flip him off.

Or throw an egg at that smug grin on his face.

And kind of maybe tackle him to the ground and kiss him.

2

NICK

Saturday, November 30th

Noelle shuffles through the doors of the high school at a quarter past eight, wearing leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. Big sunglasses cover her eyes, and she holds a coffee from The Lucky Mug, a little family-owned place that happens to be a two-minute drive from my house. She gives me a stiff wave as I stand from the desk.

"Good morning, sunshine," I say, and the way her jaw ticks at my words tells me she isnota morning person.

So, I guess shewasannoyed that I suggested eight in the morning.

And I get that she's upset because of whatever contentious family situation she has going on, but she doesn't have to take it out on the town. No town is perfect, but when I was searching for a place to live a few years ago, Snow Falls checked off almost every single box.

Close-knit community with regular events, check.

A big high school where I'm not theonlymath teacher, check.

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