Page 11 of Thinking It Over

Falling asleep now would be a mistake, I was sure. Plus, I’d promised Ian we’d catch up after his shift. He was off at six, so it didn’t mean a late night. I didn’t think I had it in me for any gaming tonight, though.

I felt a little guilty, as Ian and I usually chatted every day, but this past week, I’d been struggling to balance planning for my lessons with having downtime and a decent night’s sleep. It meant we’d only texted all week. Ian reassured me he understood, but he was also having an awful time at work. I’d been slacking off in the friend department, so there was no chance of me bailing on him tonight.

Relieved it was the weekend, I considered what else I’d get up to. A small smile curved my lips when I considered Austin’s offer to take me out in his truck. There was no reason to think it was an empty gesture, not with the kindness he’d shown me pretty much daily. Plus, I was sure he felt something beyond professional concern and courtesy toward me.

Those smiles he sent my way, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners, lifting and lighting in such a way that made my heart flutter indicated that an afternoon driving was more about the chance of getting to know each other better. Specifically away from work.

I was more than okay with that. I just had to double-check whether the offer was still on the cards, and since the guy had spent the week looking out for me, it was only right I was the one who approached him.

After quickly packing up my classroom and collecting my laptop and papers, I headed in the direction of the main reception, where Austin’s office adjoined.

The reception was already empty when I arrived. I imagined everyone was anxious to race home on a Friday after a full-on week. But the area wasn’t quiet.

My eyes widened when I heard a raised voice. It wasn’t Austin’s but was coming from his office. I paused, not sure whether to advance or not. A moment later, the office door swung open. A man stormed out, his face red, his gaze immediately landing on me and shooting daggers in my direction.

I straightened a little, unsure what this guy’s problem was while hoping Austin was okay. The guy was tall. He had a good six inches on me. He was also spindly, older, and there wasn’t a scrap of kindness in his hard gaze. The word bitter sprang to mind.

A sneer lifted his lip as he approached, I assumed—and hoped like hell—heading toward the door rather than me. His cold eyes raked over me, his steps slowingbefore Austin’s voice startled me, pulling my attention to the now open doorway.

“Rupert, just keep on walking.”

Recognition of who this man was registered. I caught a glimpse of Austin’s focused stare on the back of his ex’s head. Saw both resignation and frustration on his features.

Schooling my face, as it was obvious Rupert was gunning for a reaction in some way, I stepped aside and kept my expression as neutral as possible. It was difficult with that fixed sneer still evident, but Austin’s demand seemed to have done the trick, as his ex waltzed on, nothing but derision curling his lips.

Once he’d left, the door slamming behind him, I turned my wide eyes back to Austin. “You okay?” It was the only important question at that moment.

His smile didn’t reach his eyes when he said, “Yeah. I’m okay.” He cast his gaze over me, saying, “You heading out?”

I hesitated, not sure how to react to his ex clearly being an asshat and causing him problems, nor this melancholy version of Austin before me. When I nodded, I found myself saying, “Yeah, but we can hang out or something if you want.” I inwardly groaned. While I wasn’t quite sure how old Austin was, “hanging out” didn’t quite seem the right term to use with the man.Rather than backtrack or change my wording, I instead offered him a smile. He’d looked stressed before I’d offered, and the small lift in his shoulders and the smoothing out of the deep frown set between his eyes as he looked at me made my stomach flip in the best of ways.

Feeling bolder, my smile settled more naturally on my lips. “Maybe get Penny and take her for a walk?” I said, inspired and quietly congratulating myself. There was no doubt I was eager to get to know Austin better, and helping him get his head out of the negativity I’d walked into was an added boon.

His mouth curled up before he answered, “I’d really like that. Thank you.” His gaze skirted to my leather shoes, and he pressed his lips together.

Understanding registered, so I stopped him before he could speak. “I have sneakers in the car. I don’t think we wear the same size.” Heat spread over my cheeks in an instant, my mind going completely in the wrong direction with that comment. Flustered, I huffed out a breath. No way was I going to touch that innuendo. And while I’d said it innocently enough, I couldn’t help but wonder what he was packing.

I slammed my thoughts down tight, or at least desperately tried to. My eyes connected to Austin’s when I heard him shift. Lips drawn into his mouth and eyesfilled with mirth, it was clear he was struggling not to snicker. Giving up, I shrugged. “Okay,” I said with a small chuckle, “you can laugh it up while grabbing what you need. I’ll head to the car and wait out there for you.”

His laughter was loud and quick. The amusement in his eyes lit his whole face, making the tension evident just a few moments ago a distant memory. It felt good to make him laugh, make him forget his woes.

I rolled my eyes at him, my own laughter falling from my mouth.

“Why don’t you follow me home to get Penny?” His suggestion stopped me in my tracks. “Parking can be ridiculous where I take her for a walk, especially this time of the afternoon.”

It made sense, so I bobbed my head. “Sounds good.” And as I turned on my heels and headed to the parking lot, I couldn’t help swallowing nervously over the fact that Austin was about to invite me into his space.

It didn’t take long, a short drive before we were pulling up outside a house that surprised me. When we’d started the journey, I’d expected to be remaining in town, or maybe the outskirts and one of the modern townhouses. They were stylish and sleek and expensive. Though as we’d moved past the outskirts of town, the more I’d thought about it, the more it made sense that Austin didn’t live in the prestigious estate.

While he dressed well, a necessity of his position, there was nothing ostentatious about the man. Plus I was totally digging the few whiskers I’d noticed he hadn’t shaved off in the past couple of days. He was far from unkempt, but he was totally down-to-earth.

But this house was something.

It was an honest-to-God gothic revival house. I glanced around as I pulled up, seeing one neighbor some hundred yards or so away. Its roof was high-pitched with decorated bargeboard and cross gables, arched windows that were most definitely gothic in design. And I was in love. There was a first-floor porch, a feature I’d always loved.

And this was no modern-day knockoff.

There was a need for a good coat of paint, and quite possibly a few of the bargeboards needed replacing. It was far from pristine, and it was perfect.

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