Page 53 of Thinking It Over

“Shh,” Jasper said over a laugh, nudging me for good measure.

I rubbed my side where he’d dug his elbow in. “What?”

“I think Jasper’s reminding you that I’m here, Austin.”

Good God. Sarah, Jasper’s mom.

All the booze seemed to dissipate in that moment, and I was fully alert and mortified. “I’m so sorry, Mrs—uhm, Sarah.” I had nothing else, fearing if I continued to speak, I’d make it worse.

The sound of Sarah’s gentle laughter, syncing with Jasper’s chuckle, eased my tension. Relieved I was under cover of darkness, I was all too aware we’d be reaching their house soon, a place with electricity and bright lights. There my humiliation would be even more obvious.

“It’s all fine, Austin. Truly.”

I nodded a little robotically.

“And I love it when you forget yourself,” Jasper whispered close to my ear.

The patter of my heart picked up in response to his words.

“Okay,” I finally said, along with “and remind me never to accept shots from Ted again.”

We all laughed as Jasper squeezed my hand, reassuring me all was fine. And it was.Iwas, I realized. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had too much to drink, certainly not to the extent of swaying and putting my foot in it. The last time was years ago when I waswith one of my sisters. And like then, I only allowed myself to really let go because I trusted that the person I was with had my back. That I trusted them.

The knowledge spread warmth through my body, and as we stood at the front door, Sarah unlocking it, I whispered close to Jasper’s ear, “Thank you.”

Despite his smile, he looked confused as our eyes met. “For what?”

I could have shrugged, could have played it off; instead, I said, “For being someone I can trust enough to let down my guard.”

His eyes softened, visible in the hall light I’d realized was now seeping out of the open doorway. Sarah had already entered and moved away.

“You can always trust me.” His words were low and gentle, but that didn’t belie how earnestly he spoke them.

And as his gaze roamed my own, there was little doubt left in my mind that my trust in this man was barely a step away from love.

FIFTEEN

JASPER

Life went on as normal,or my new version of it since Austin had come into my life. Or was that me entering his? Either way, we had just four weeks left until the end of the school year, and classes were busy as we prepared for testing. The only thing that sat uneasily was my position for the next academic year.

Jim, my predecessor, had yet to hand in his notice, which left a hollow feeling in my gut.

Over the past couple of months, this was the first time I’d felt the difference in our roles. If I wasn’t dating the principal, I would have started bugging the powers that be about the likelihood of a renewed contract. But as it stood, discomfort pressed down heavily. Acutely aware that asking about a position would make me feel weird, I’d bitten my tongue.

It was ridiculous. Scrap that.Iwas ridiculous.

Without a doubt, Austin was a professional. Beyond that weird moment that seemed so long ago with the compromising pictures of us, there had been no more incidents. We kept our relationship on the down low, even though most members of staff now knew. But as yet, it had never been an issue, as we ensured we remained professional during school hours.

But now this and my anxiety.

“This is so unlike you,” Ian said through the video call, shaking his head at me. “What do you honestly think is going to happen here?”

A loud huff escaped me. “I know, and I’m frustrated with myself.” He lifted his brows, clearly wanting me to expand and answer his question. “But I don’t want him to make a job happen just for me, because, well, it’s me.”

“Because you literally kiss his ass.” Ian laughed loudly.

“Piss off,” I said, not quite hiding my smirk. “But if he doesn’t have something, he’s going to feel like shit, and that’s just awkward.”

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