Page 29 of Time Stops With You

“That’s fine.”

Dr. Green lets out a little laugh and sidles up to me. “Mr. Cullen, may I ask what your relationship with our school is? Doyou, by chance, have a child here…?” Her eyes dip intentionally to my ring finger.

“No.” I inch back. “I just… want to be a help to the next generation.”

“Marvelous! What a worthy cause.” She gestures forward. “Would you like a tour of our facilities? I may be biased, but we have the most well-maintained lawns in the state.”

“Maybe another time.”

“Oh, well, of course. Perhaps when you return on Thursday.”

I fake a smile, not making any promises. The last thing I want to do is go on a tour with this woman.

My reticence doesn’t seem to faze her. Dr. Green drones on and on about her vision for the academy while I debate if it would be inappropriate to ask for a meeting with Josiah. Technically, I’m not his family, so it probably would come off as creepy.

I’m getting ready to interrupt the principal and make an excuse to go home when I hear a familiar voice screech, “You!”

Stunned, I swivel to find Nardi stalking up the sidewalk. A dark frown marks her face and her eyebrows cinch tighter with every step she takes toward me.

The principal glances between us. “You’re Josiah’s mom, right?”

“Sister. And yes.” Nardi breathes out harshly. A storm of lightening zips through her eyes and I can tell she’s only holding herself back because Josiah’s principal is here.

“Do you know her, Mr. Cullen?” The principal asks, stepping beside me.

“Yes.” I turn to Dr. Green, a smile brimming on my lips. “This is Nardi Davis, my potential fiancée.”

Nardi’s eyes widen.

The principal frowns in disappointment.

Barbara snickers behind her hand.

“Yourfiancée?” Nardi hisses.

“Can you give us a minute, Dr. Green?” I say without taking my eyes off Nardi.

The principal’s mouth opens and she inhales sharply. With a whiff of annoyance, the woman and her entourage storm up the steps.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to pick up Josiah,” Nardi snaps.

I check my watch and realize it probably is around the time that children are let out from school. A quick scan around the campus lot reveals a parade of fancy cars in the pick up zone.

My driver is waiting for me right on the curb, no doubt a luxury I’m afforded only because I’m such a large donor to the school.

“What areyoudoing here?” Nardi snarls.

I open my mouth.

She cuts me off. “Are you here for Josiah? Did you not comprehend what I told you last time? Mr. Cullen, Josiah isn’t your human will and testament and I am not your fiancée. If you can’t respect that then I’m going to have to get the police involved.”

I wonder how someone can be so empatheticandfiery. It’s an interesting combination and it makes me curious to see what other layers lie beneath the surface.

“Mr. Cullen? Hello!” Nardi waves a hand in my face.

I realize I’d been staring and clear my throat. “Iamhere to see Josiah, but it isn’t in the way you think. I’m leading the new advanced Python program at his school.”

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