Page 15 of Hank

"I see." That shouldn’t be Hank’s problem, but before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "How about I pick you up around a quarter to seven."

"You’d do that?"

"Sure. Just give me your address before you leave class."

What was the harm? It wasn’t like Mrs… Well, Ms. Webster would be around to give him the evil eye.

"Gee, thanks, Dr. Lawton." Collin’s big smile had him grinning as his student’s long-legged gait—with a little extra pep to it—took him to his seat next to Willow Somersby. The strawberry-blond girl with freckles, gave Collin a shy smile—showing off her dimples—as she sat up straighter in her seat. Yeah, he’d bet his ridiculously low salary those two liked each other but hadn’t startedtalkingto each other yet.

And that brought him back to thetalkhe’d had with Jo in the back seat of his truck. It had been…

The second bell sounded for the period to start.

"All right," Hank said, shaking off any remnants of his night with Jo as he stood. "Let’s all take our seats and turn to page one-o-two."

5

"You’ve been awfully quiet today."

At her boss’ statement, Jo closed out her phone’s email app onDr.Henry Lawton’s reply to her message.Doctor, right. She couldn’t help herself. The old fart and hisTruly Yours, Dr. Henry Lawton, he used to end all his communications rubbed her the wrong way.

Pompous ass.

"And what kind of look is that?"

Toniwouldhave to point out Jo’s scowly face, so she did her best to smooth out her features, grumbling, "Dr.Lawton."

Jo didn’t have to say anything more than those two words to Antonia "Toni" Marotta. Nor did she have to wait long for the other woman’s snicker.

"For a someone who you’ve yet to meet, you let him get to youwaytoo much."

"Thanks, counsellor." Jo snorted and set her phone down. "And I don’t need to meet him to know he’s arrogant, egotistical, and overbearing."

"You do know all those words mean the exact same thing, right?" She raised a dark, winged brow.

"Of course, but they’re all fitting."

"I see." Toni was one discerning woman, and the sly eye she sent Jo’s way could mean anything. "Is that the only thing that has you out of sorts this morning?"

So much. But nothing she was willing to share at the moment. She hadn’t even told Mags about Hank and his truck and his…

Her little shiver contradicted the heat flooding her cheeks, while something else flooded down below where she couldalmostfeel how he’d filled her.

Damned hormones.

"I have no idea what you mean," she said, then took a deep breath while pulling the Hartford divorce file up on her screen, before presenting Toni with as bland of an expression as she could. "I truly don’t."

"Uh-huh." Toni’s doubting tone matched her knowing bluish-green gaze.

"What?"

"It’s been a while since I’ve had it, but if I’m not mistaken, you have a case of IHS." An annoying grin played over the other woman’s naturally full, rosy lips. "Youpoorthing."

"IHS?"

"Mmm-hmm," she murmured while pulling her cup of coffee to her mouth, then grinning even more as the rim touched her lips. "Don’t worry, it’s not fatal. That is, as long as you have continued exposure." Then she took a sip, her eyes holding Jo’s sparking with humor. "Frequently."

"Okay, give. What is IHS?" Jo took a sip of her own coffee.

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