Page 154 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
Alonzo
Make sure you take care of my sister.
Gabe
With my life.
Luna was walkingout the door with her friends when I pulled up in front of Chloe’s house. Kriz spotted me first and nudged Luna, who beamed the second she looked my way.
I could never get tired of seeing her smile. Knowing she did so because of me felt like the biggest achievement in the world.
Getting out, I rounded the car and approached them.
“Hey, Prof Martins,” Kriz greeted.
Chloe smirked at me. “Luna’s looking a lot less stressed these days, thanks to you.”
Kriz stifled a laugh, while Luna elbowed Chloe.
“You look pretty damn relaxed, too,” Chloe continued, nonplussed.
Did I? Because this conversation was making my collar seem tighter. Then again, it might have been the fact that I was officially meeting Luna’s best friends—my former students—as the man she was dating.
“Chloe,” Luna groaned as she stepped up to me and wove her fingers into mine.
Everything inside me settled at her touch. I wanted to whisk her away but I needed to learn to get along with her friends too. “Thanks,” I told Chloe though I suspected there was more to the compliment than I could read. “Call me Gabe.”
“It’s about time,” Kriz said, grinning at me. “We’re so happy for you guys.”
Chloe nodded. “Uh huh. Lulu was in dire need of good di?—”
“Okay, bye, guys,” Luna blurted out, tugging my hand.
Her friends burst out laughing and called out their farewells.
When we were safely in the car, I asked Luna, “Do I want to know?”
“Definitely not.” She latched her seatbelt. “How awkward was that for you?”
“It was better than I expected,” I said as I started driving.
“Can you imagine how things would have turned out if I’d been in your class with them?”
I winced.
“Gabe.” She spoke slowly. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Glancing at her, I finally admitted what I should have a long time ago. “I swapped classes with Max.”
She gaped at me. “You mean I was supposed to be in your class?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“I never thought you were the type to swap classes.”
“I’m not. It was the only time I did.” I gave her a small smile. “I’m not the type to fall for a student either. Apparently, you’re the exception to all my rules.”
“Look at you, saying the sweetest things.”
