Page 25 of Stay for Me
I rise out of my chair and come around the desk. “Thank you. You do as well.”
“I wanted to see how you were settling in.”
“I’m doing great. Sugarloaf is very welcoming, and even though we came after school had already begun, the kids are doing well.”
She nods. “I’m happy that’s the case. This town is filled with wonderful people, but sometimes, we’re a bit hard on newcomers.”
“Maybe it hasn’t been that way because I’m an Allen.”
“Luke was very loved here, but I’m sure that’s only part of it. The other part is because you’re just a very warm person as well.”
I smile. “I appreciate that.”
“Listen, there is something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Okay.” I scramble to try to think of something I could have done wrong or forgotten, but I come up empty.
“I received a call from Jacob Arrowood the other day, and I wanted to verify that you agreed to help him.”
“Is it about the middle school play?”
“Yes. He said that you volunteered to supervise him.”
“I did. I probably should’ve asked you before saying something though. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”
She waves her hand dismissively. “No, it’s not that. I’m actually really grateful that it’s you. It will give you a chance to bond with some of the students.”
“I see.”
“Jacob has grown up to be a great man. I thought it was incredibly sweet of him to offer to help with our play.”
I nod. “Yes, I agree.”
“He’s such a big star, and even though he’s busy preparing for his new role, he said he wanted to pay back the community that helped him reach where he is now. We are so fortunate to have someone like him around when we needed it most.”
The warm feeling I had is back again. He is being selfless in a world that is anything but that. He’s giving something to kids that was taken when it’s inconvenient for him.
Jacob is nothing like I assumed.
I thought he’d be arrogant, rich, and entitled. I thought he would be a playboy to the hilt because that’s what we see and believe actors are. Then he showed up at my door, basically proving me wrong on every front.
I release a deep sigh. “I’m happy to help if all he needs is a school-approved supervisor.”
She clasps her hands together. “He’s coming in early next week to fill out the paperwork so that we’re covered for all liabilities. Oh, the kids will be so excited, and I’m sure we’ll sell out all the seats if people think they’ll get a chance to meet Jacob. We’ll raise so much money for the drama club.”
“Yes. It sure will.”
She gets to her feet, and I do the same. “Let me know if you have any problems.”
“Of course.”
The only problem I have is that I keep thinking of him, and I really don’t want to.
Chapter Seven
Brenna
I’m sitting on the bed, staring at the fifteen outfits I’ve laid out to go to a backyard barbeque. I don’t know what to wear. Nothing feels right. Everything looks like I’m trying too hard, which I am, or like I’m a slob, which I’m not. What do you wear when you want to impress a guy but you don’t actually want to look like you’re trying to impress him?
