Page 24 of Thinking It Over

“If Jasper keeps making you smileand brings the joy I haven’t seen in a while back to your eyes, I am 100 percent supportive of your new relationship.” She stood, collecting the papers from my desk. “I wish I could file these in the shredder, but I’ll be sure to put them somewhere more secure should we need access to them.”

“I really appreciate that. Thanks, Barb.”

She bobbed her head and reached for the door handle. “Just checking, you’re still aiming for discretion with your relationship, right?”

“If that’s possible.” I grimaced. Only time would tell.

Not looking forwardto being the bearer of bad news, I hovered outside Jasper’s classroom. The halls were empty, students long gone, but with my mind working overtime, there wasn’t any stillness or calm.

During a thirty-minute call with Hank, we’d discussed a plan of action. The concern was clear. It wasn’t so much the possibility of a student placing photos clearly intended to humiliate, but rather that someone had been outside of my home. It was the tipping point to the sheriff being called, a statement made, and the photographs filed as evidence.

There was nothing else to be done other than to be vigilant and report anything else untoward.

Police involvement added significantly to my discomfort of the discussion I needed to have with Jasper. Truth was, we’d known each other for a couple of weeks, and while our attraction was instant and reciprocated, I didn’t know him all that well. And not knowing how he would react rattled me.

“Hey.”

My gaze shot to the doorway where Jasper peered from. Immediately, my thoughts traveled to our goodnight kiss, and I smiled, which then wavered when the photograph popped into my mind. “Hey.”

Brows dipped in confusion, he looked disarmingly attractive. I seriously hoped that there would be more kisses, more getting to know each other. I wasn’t ready to give up on what was going on between us yet.

“Everything okay out here?”

My smile was tight before I took a step toward him. He backed up and entered the classroom, closing the door behind me. The temptation to kiss him tugged at me, but if Jasper’s reaction resulted in him no longer wanting to get to know me, then it wouldn’t be fair to confuse the situation with foggy brains from a heated kiss.

The confusion morphed into worry when it became clear I wasn’t going to kiss him, and I’d put physical distance between the two of us.

He edged over to his desk and backed against it, remaining quiet as his expectant gaze centered on me. There was no way to sugarcoat or prolong the inevitable. Doing so would only make it worse.

I stuck with the facts.

“There’s been an incident. A photograph of us from last night was printed and placed around a small section of the school. Larry removed them, and we don’t think students saw them.” I’d kept my ear to the ground and had also sent Barb on a mission, going in search of gossip. At the end of the day, she reported that there was no chatter about photographs or me and Jasper. While reassuring, it didn’t settle my unease.

I focused on Jasper’s reaction. Wide-eyed, he peered back at me, his skin losing some of its color. There was no other way but for me to continue. “I’ve spoken to a member of the board and had to file a police report.”

“What?” He stood upright, horror-stricken, his skin paler still.

“Someone was outside my house. Only someone who wanted to be specifically at my house would be there.” I was fully aware no students or even staff members lived within a ten-mile radius. Nor did I live en route to anywhere of significance.

Understanding registered, and he gasped, his handcovering his mouth. “What the hell? And what’s going to happen?”

The need to reach out to him tore at me, but I held back. “Nothing.” I shook my head. “Everything has been filed as a precaution. The sheriff expects seniors spotted us at the restaurant and used it as a way to cause trouble.” I wasn’t so convinced. If that was the case, they could have easily taken photos of us there. There was no need to follow us home.

“And what do you think?” He lowered his hand, his gaze steady. I relaxed a little and laughed on the inside that he was able to read me so clearly.

“Is it bad that I thought of Rupert?”

His brows sprung high. “Really?”

I shrugged. “He’s got a vindictive streak, and I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” Jasper said, his tone shifting, “I’m not usually one for stroking my own ego, but you’ve definitely upgraded.”

A loud laugh burst out of me. With it came a relaxing of my shoulders and a lightness easing through my chest. Jasper’s eyes were all but twinkling in mischief. This time I didn’t hold back when the urge to touch him hit me hard.

I stepped into his space and hauled him close, though I was breaking my own rules since we were on school grounds. “I’m so sorry this has happened.” My voice dipped with sincerity. I didn’t want him hurt or embarrassed.

When Jasper’s hand touched my face, his thumb caressing my cheekbone, my exhale was loud and relieved. He shook his head, still caressing me as he said, “This isn’t your fault. As long as you’re okay and neither of us are in trouble with the powers that be, we’ll shrug it off and hope nothing else happens. And if something does, we’ll deal.”

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