Page 58 of The Love Simulation

“Okay,” I say. “This is awkward. Are we just supposed to fall asleep, or…” If Roman suggests more kissing, I won’t turn him down.

Humor is still alight in his eyes as he snakes his hand out and rests it on my hip. “We can go to sleep. We can talk.”

Say kiss.

“Whatever you want to do,” he finishes.

He didn’tnotsay kiss. I’m about to make the suggestion, but Roman beats me by saying, “Did you always want to be an administrator?”

Oh, he wants to talk about school. I shouldn’t be surprised. Or disappointed. It’s the one big thing we have in common.

I stifle a sigh before answering. “Actually, no. I wanted to be a librarian, then an artist. I went to school with a focus in business, which wasn’t my forte, so I went into teaching. I got a teaching degree, but I was also interestedin psychology, so when I started teaching, I was simultaneously going to night school for psychology.”

“That’s a lot. What grade did you start teaching?”

“Elementary. That was…a mistake, I think. I love kids. Love them. But being a full-time teacher wasn’t it for me. I wanted to help kids some other way. After I got my psychology degree, I was able to be a guidance counselor. I felt like I was getting closer, but it still didn’t seem like the right fit. Then the vice principal position came up, and I thought, ‘Yes. That’s what I need to be doing. That’s how I can help both kids and teachers.’ ”

“How’s the VP role playing out?”

I look at him while biting my lower lip. I think about the past year and all the strife from his dad, how I feel obligated to keep the teachers at arm’s length, how lonely and how hard it’s been, and how the one thing I want to do—leaving a mark on the school by getting the library built—has been such a battle.

“I’m still adjusting. I’m hoping it will get better next year. But that answer probably doesn’t make you too happy,” I say.

“Why would you say that?”

“Because being vice principal is what you wanted, right? I’m the one in the position you went for, and I’m probably doing a million things different from what you would have.”

“Bri, you are a great vice principal.” His hand moves from my hip to the dip at my waist, stroking my side. Lighting a fire in my stomach. I lift one of my hands to his chest. His muscles under my palm flex in time with the movement of his hand.

“And who says I want the job of VP?” he continues.

My gaze jumps from his chest to his eyes, and I raise my eyebrows. “Don’t you? Isn’t that the whole reason your dadhas been such a pain in my ass? Why you were so rude to me the whole school year?”

Thinking about Principal Major’s attitude and Roman’s aloofness has me setting my jaw. I almost take my hand off his chest. But I don’t. I don’t need to be petty when we’ve moved beyond that.

“Hey.” Roman squeezes my side, which has the added effect of bringing my body closer to his. “I’m sorry that I came off rude. I’ve had the biggest crush on you all year. That’s what it was. I thought once you realized who my dad was, you’d want nothing to do with me. I guess it was easier to just shut down when I was around you.”

“Is that what the other teachers do when they realize who your dad is? Write you off?”

Roman runs his hand up and down my back and makes an affirmative humming sound. “Pretty much, yeah. But I’ve gotten used to it.”

I hate how resigned he is and that the teachers can be so judgmental without trying to get to know him. “It still sucks,” I say. “That’s not something you should have to get used to. People shouldn’t judge you based on your dad.”

“It doesn’t botheryouthat my dad is the principal?” Roman asks me. “You of all people have the right to hold a grudge.”

“Have there been times I thought you were on your dad’s side in all of this and become a little sus? Yes. But even knowing who your dad is hasn’t been enough for me to stay away. You two aren’t the same. So no, it doesn’t bother me. I just wish everyone else could look past it as well.”

He kisses the top of my head. “People are going to think what they want and assume what they want anyway. My energy is best used being a good teacher and role model for the kids.”

“That’s true.” For those really worth Roman’s time, it won’t matter who his dad is. “Did you always want to be a teacher? And did you decide to follow after your dad’s footsteps?”

“No, I didn’t. I actually hated school as a kid. I guess elementary school was cool. But my parents separated when I was in middle school, and my mom wanted to be closer to her family. She took me with her right in the middle of the year. You know how hard it can be for kids to adjust when they’re new and everyone else has friends. At first I didn’t fit in, and then I started hanging with the wrong crowd. When I got in a fight and was suspended my freshman year of high school, my mom decided it was best for me to be raised with my dad.”

“I promise you I am taking this so seriously, but I have a question. Are you by chance from Bel-Air?”

He squeezes me tight as he laughs, and I love the sound. “Thank you for that laugh. And no, I’m no Fresh Prince. When I moved in with my dad in Houston, he was strict and overall unimpressed by anything I did. I still didn’t care about school until I had one teacher who wouldn’t give up on me. His name was Mr. Calloway, and he’s the reason I decided to become a teacher. When I got my degree, something flipped in my dad though. He had this vision of us running the school together. I fed into it at first, just glad he was proud of me, but being the vice principal of his school isn’t what I want. I’ve told him that, and, well, you know how he doesn’t listen.”

“But didn’t you interview for the position?”

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