Page 59 of Mr. Broody

“That’s me!” Mack raises his hand, finishing off the tables with an array of glitter.

“I love it. You did a great job.” She smiles at him, and he puts his hand over his heart.

“Thank you. And I love the sweater. Your whole vibe of not trying too hard, but…”

“Bye, Mack,” I say.

He chuckles and huddles with the rest of the spectators on the other side of the room observing Jade and me.

“He’s not wrong. I think I tried on ten outfits today trying to look good while simultaneously looking like I didn’t try too hard.”

I chuckle. “I’m sure you looked just as great in the other nine outfits.” I sip my water to cool myself down from picturing her changing.

“I should go out and say hello to the kids.” She stands.

I don’t want her to go, but I’m not sure how to be around her and not flirt with her.

“Yeah, I’ll come check on Bodhi.”

We round the tables with five sets of eyes watching our every move. Could they make it any more awkward?

We’re halfway to the door when I see a stream of kids running toward us. One girl runs right into the door, bouncing back and falling. Micha opens the door, and Bodhi rushes into the room but stops in his tracks, staring at Jade with a huge smile.

“Miss Jade!” He runs up to her and wraps his arms around her legs, closing his eyes.

Conor clears his throat.

“Someone else is hot for teacher,” Tweetie whispers in my ear.

“Happy birthday, Bodhi,” she says.

“I guess I’ll check on the poor girl,” Mack says, sliding by me because watching my son hug the woman I love as if she’s his, too, cements my feet to the floor.

Fuck, he’s never even been that way with Kyleigh.

“Thanks for coming.” Bodhi’s gaze slides my way, confirming what I suspected.

Jade and I have been set up.

Twenty-Six

Bodhi

Everyone else’s parents have already come got them, and only Micha’s left. I don’t want my party to end, but Daddy said I could open my presents when I get home.

“Bodhi,” Conor says, telling me to come over with his finger. He and all my daddy’s friends are at a table together.

“Yeah?” I ask.

“Have a seat, buddy,” Tweetie says. He’s always really funny.

I sit next to Kyleigh because she’s always really nice, and she smells good. Except none of them are smiling. Am I in trouble?

“It’s kind of funny that Miss Jade is here, huh?” Conor asks.

“She’s my teacher.”

“And apparently Micha didn’t get an invitation.” Kyleigh looks at me.

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