Page 48 of When You Left Me Speechless

Beth lets out a giddy shrill and claps her hands. I continue to stare, stunned.

“Oh, wow, um, thank you,” I say because I am not entirely sure how to respond.They are offering me a job?I let the thought settle in my brain. That means she doesn’t know about our little outing last night or that we arrived together this morning. I breathe a sigh of relief before realizing I haven’t really said anything in what feels like an entire minute.

“Of course, we want you to think about it,” Principal Keller says. “Take a few days. We would be happy to have you stick around. The kids love you, and it’s easy to see you love what you do.”

I agree again and thank her for the opportunity. On my way out, I shake her hand and tell her I will let her know my decision as soon as possible. Beth and I walk back to the speech room.

“Having you here would be so great. I know you had another interview, but I think having you full-time would be so fun.”

I don’t have the heart to tell her I can’t accept it. I make a mental note to tell her tomorrow.

Speech Sluts

Poppy: Guys, shit is getting crazy over here.

Nicole: What happened?

Poppy: Well, let's see, in the last 24 hours, I called Logan to help me start my car, and he rushed to my side like a knight in shining armor, took me to dinner, proceeded to make out with me in the rain, convinced me to let him pick me up this morning, and then his boss offered me a job. >

Nicole: Shit!

Andrea: He kissed you?! Ahhhhh!

Nicole: Alright. Take some deep breaths. Let’s unpack it all one bit at a time. Let’s start with the job offer. That seems like the easiest?

Andrea: Yes, the job offer. You aren’t accepting it, right?

Poppy: No, I already accepted a job at Lacey’s place. I can’t accept a job here. I just need to get the confidence to turn it down. I fucking froze when she offered it.

Nicole: Talk to your supervisor. She’ll understand. And then go tell the principal you appreciate her, but you already have a job elsewhere.

Andrea: Okay, now that that’s handled. You kissed him?

Poppy: Yes.

Nicole: And?!

Poppy: It was magical. Easily the best kiss I’ve ever had.

Andrea: Ahhhh! I’m now officially living vicariously through you.

Nicole: What are you going to do?

Poppy: I don’t know.

CHAPTER 31: NOWHERE NEAR SATISFIED

POPPY

Iwalk into my empty apartment exhausted from the past week. I decide I need to focus on something other than Logan and that kiss. I check my calendar, grab my materials, and begin reading, but I retain nothing. After an hour, I realize I’m not getting anything done and settle on a little self-care bath with an eye mask and a large glass of wine instead.

When I crawl into bed, I’m still restless. The wine and bath did not help me relax the way I had hoped they would. After what feels like hours of tossing and turning, I reach over and open my bedside drawer, grabbing my pink vibrator. If a bath and glass of wine can’t help, then maybe a self-induced orgasm will, and then I can drift off to sleep.

I turn it on, circling the vibrations on my clit. With my free hand, I roll my nipples between my fingers before moving my hand down to my wet center and pushing a finger inside. I close my eyes and think back to last night. Logan, close to me, his mouth all over me, and his arms pulling me in tight. The warmth of his body contrasting against the cold rain. I up the vibration and continue to circle my most sensitive spot. Now pumping two fingers deep inside, I find the place that makes me squirm with pleasure. I begin to climax, thrusting myhips, and then when I come, I hear myself say his name. I try to drift off to sleep, but I’m still on edge and nowhere near satisfied. My phone pings.

Logan: Hey!

I look at the clock. It’s only 10:30 p.m. I lay there contemplating if I text back or ignore him. My vibrator left me wanting more and so without giving it much more thought, I do what I know I shouldn’t.

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