Page 7 of Love in Design

After Nate left my office, I sat down in my chair and replayed everything that happened from the moment the door closed until he walked out of it. The way my body responded to his touch and molded into his like it was made for me. Why did I push him away when he wanted what I wanted? I lay my head on my desk, calling myself stupid repeatedly. Times like this, I wish I had Amy near to get one of her hugs. She would tell me what I need to hear.

I put my thoughts of Nate on the back burner as the day becomes hectic with students, parents, and teachers all needing my attention. Lily isn’t sick but has an appointment. She’s still picking up Victoria. Thank God, because I don’t think I can face Nate right now. It’s almost one o’clock when the buzzer goes off, and the temp sent in to replace Lily for the day tells me I have a delivery. I’m not expecting anything, though. I get up, straighten myself, and head to the front of the office.

There is a pink box with a card sitting on it with the name Laura Roberts. I pick up the chest and head into my office. I open the lid, and there are a dozen red and pink heart-shaped sugar cookies. I smile. A parent must have sent them to me. There is a card attached

Miss Laura, your smile can light up any dark space, Your Secret Valentine.

“Who sent this?” I mutter out loud. I dial the bakery, but they won’t tell me. I sigh. “It has to be Nate. Why would he do this?” Then I remember his words— that I washis. Could he be trying to win me over? Should I play this game with him? What if it isn’t him? He is new to town so he wouldn’t know of our traditions. I stand to look out my window at the kids playing in the snow. “Who could it be?” The thoughts of my secret valentine quickly leave me as I attend a meeting with the teachers who are just as excited as I am about the new way to do the week of the festival. We agree to meet on Friday night after school to bring the ideas of all the subjects that we teach.

I arrive home with the box of cookies under my arm, and I decide to call Amy. I hope she can offer some sort of advice. I could use my best friend right now. The phone rings on the other end, and she doesn’t pick up. I leave a voicemail for her to call me. I climb the house's stairs to my room to change into my running clothes. A run in the brisk, chilly air will do some good. I need to stop by the Bishop Bakery and talk to them about an order for the dance for the school, anyway.

As I’m running down the streets, I notice they set up and decorate for the festival. As a child who grew up here, I always thought this time was magical. I could see the lights from the town square lighting up my room at night. It was like a bunch of fairies dancing in my room when the wind would blow them. Oh, to go back to a time of such innocence. I want to give that to the kids at my school. As I slow my pace, I notice the lights are on in the tattoo studio. Should I stop and ask him about the cookies? Should I apologize for how I acted after he gave me an out-of-body orgasm?

The tattoo shop is all lit up, but I don’t see anyone in there. But it’s open, so I pull open the door, and the bell lets whoever is here know that someone has walked in. I swallow hard, nervous about what I’m about to encounter, when Nate comes around the corner with a smile on his face. “Welcome to Cupid’s Arrow.” He must automatically say it because he smiles when his eyes meet mine. “Laura. What a pleasant surprise. Are you taking me up on that tattoo?”

I chuckle. “No. I was out for my nightly run and saw the lights on. I wanted to ask you something.”

“Shoot. Ask me anything. I’m an open book.” Nate sits down on the stool near the computer at the front desk. I stand on the other side.

“Did you send me cookies for the secret valentine?”

“The what?” He genuinely seems confused.

“This town has a secret Valentine, sort of like a secret Santa, then it all gets revealed at the dance.” I don’t think it was him. I didn’t realize how disappointed I’d be that he didn’t send me the cookies.

“I knew nothing about it. I’m sorry. But I’ve made it no secret to you. I want you.” He stands up. “Why do you want me to keep it a secret? Would you prefer that?”

“No. I don’t know. I need to go.” I turn to leave, but he grabs my wrist. I stop to look at him. “Nate, you’re a parent of one of my students. I can’t do this.”

“So, this attraction needs to wait until she’s out of elementary school?” He’s challenging me.

“Why me?”

Chapter Nine

NATE

Is she seriously asking me this question?

“Why not you? I mean, you’re beautiful. As a parent of one of your students, you make every child feel loved and special. It takes a special person to do that, and not everyone can. You drive me crazy when we’re so close. I have this urge to touch you all the time.”

“I don’t—” She lets out a heavy sigh. “Can we get to know each other?”

“Sure. I’d like.” I rub my thumb on her wrist. “Do you want to exchange cell numbers so we can text and call each other? What happened in your office? I’m sorry I crossed the line.”

“I wanted it and could’ve stopped, but I didn’t. I want you, but I’m scared.”

“I’m glad I’m not the only one.” The shocked expression on her face lets me know that she doesn’t know me all too well. “You’re the first person since my divorce. I can see myself having a future. I get nervous because I never want to fail you or Victoria.” I chuckle, remembering the conversation from this morning with Victoria.

“I don’t know what to say. I’d like to get to know you better before agreeing to anything.”

“Okay. If nothing but a friendship comes from this, then I win either way.” I smile at her. Will she try to love me even though the secret Valentine is sending her gifts? “Now, I don’t have any appointments, and my booth is open,” I tease her.

“I better get home. I have things I need to do to get ready for the school's festival of Valentine’s Day.” I drop her wrist from my hand and already miss the warmth radiating from her. She waves as she leaves my building. I head back to my workstation. I pull up the town’s directory on my tablet to check out what I can order tomorrow. Will she be mad I lied to her? I hope she won’t be. I swallow hard as I plan out the next few days while keeping notes of what I’m doing.

It’s midnight, and my last client just left. These walk-ins coming in are great, but I’m tired. I climb the steps to the apartment. When she stays late, Lily has taken over the third bedroom, the small office. Those nights, she takes Victoria to school. Should I hire a full-time live-in babysitter? Would Lily be opposed to moving in with us?

I’m finding it more complicated than I thought it would to run a new business, raise a daughter, and want to be with Laura. I’m standing in the doorway of Victoria’s room, watching my angel sleep, and my heart swells. Walking into her room, I kiss her forehead. “Daddy loves your princess.”

---