Page 76 of Educating Arrogant Mr. Hunter

Her eyes narrowed, and luckily fell on my phone with the screen still open to my festival notes. “We thought about it, but is there anything more prominent than the booklet?

“Bigger? Like Santa’s house or one of the rides?”

Her eyes lit up. “Exactly.”

“I hadn’t given it any thought, but we can crunch numbers tonight and get back to you about the cost of either of those if you’d like.”

“That would be great.” She tossed another look at us and held up her two to-go cups. “Well, I should be going before this melts.”

“Sure. Nice to see you,” I said to her retreating back. My breath whooshed out of me.

Beckett rubbed his foot against mine. This time in comfort, but in my panicked state I didn’t respond. He frowned when I gave him a slight shake of my head.

We only stayed another ten minutes, but after Virginia London’s arrival, I’d lost my enthusiasm for my favorite flavor, butter crunch ice cream. Beckett and Zoey walked me to my car once he paid the bill. I got in and rolled down my window to wave goodbye.

“I’ll call you later,” Beckett leaned closer. His eyes filled with concern.

“Okay.” I might not answer, but I wouldn’t tell him that now. I’d deal with it later after I freaked out to Ruby and maybe broke into my ice cream at home. Dinner wasn’t as appealing right now.

I was terrified that I’d made a huge mistake.

Chapter Eighteen

BECKETT

My gaze went to the dashboard where my phone was propped up in its holder. Still no word from Wren. It had been two damn days since I last saw her and I couldn’t stop myself from checking the phone every two minutes like a teenager waiting for their crush to call.

It pissed me off that she’d walked away from me without even saying goodbye.Just like your father, whispered that asshole doubt at the back of my mind. Hope, a fickle emotion, tried to drown out the negativity, reminding me that she was nothing like him. She’d been rattled by seeing a parent of one of her students at the restaurant. It had more to do with that than with me.

Zoey sang along to the radio in the backseat.

“Be good for your grandparents,” I reminded her.

Her eyes rolled so hard I was surprised they didn’t get stuck in the back of her head. “Of course I will, Daddy.”

We turned onto her grandparents’ street, and I wondered if I’d made a mistake moving into the neighborhood behind theirs. If we were further away, it would be easier to keep Zoey from them while the lawyers hashed out our next steps.

It didn’t help that I couldn’t shake the fear they’d take her away from me and I’d go back to seeing her a few times a month instead of every day. My chest tightened and it grew harder to draw in a breath.Damn it!I couldn't fall apart in front of Zoey.

“Ms. Winter makes you laugh, Daddy.”

Startled at the abrupt change in topic, I stared at her without saying anything.

She giggled. “A lot. I haven’t seen you laugh like that in a while.”

“You make me laugh, kiddo.”

“Yeah, but it’s different. I like that she does.” Her face lit up as I pulled into her grandparents’ driveway and parked the car. “Mommy always said she wanted you to be with someone who made you laugh. That you were too serious.”

I swallowed, hating the lie that was about to fall from my lips. “Zo, Ms. Winter is your teacher. We’re just friends. Nothing is going on between us.”

Her lips twisted into a frown. “Why not?”

“It’s just not.” I craned my neck to turn around and face her.

“Well, that’s stupid.” I had no response for her. It kind of was, but the whole situation had layers of nuances Zoey didn’t understand. And at this point, anything that was between Wren and myself had likely fizzled out on her end.

“Grandma’s at the door,” she yelped in excitement. She scrambled out of the car and reached the front door before I’d unbuckled my seat belt. I grabbed my phone and checked it while cursing myself as I did and still found no response from Wren.

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