Page 4 of Guarding Her Heart
“It was really good to meet you, Ethan. Maybe you can call me some time.” She says and I shake her hand.
“You can count on that.” I smile as she turns and walks away.
And for the first time in weeks, I feel like maybe there’s something worth looking forward to.
Chapter 2
Jenny
The morning sun filters through my apartment windows, casting a warm glow across the small but cozy space. I stretch out in bed, savoring the few extra minutes of peace before my day officially begins. Mondays always seem to come too quickly, but today, there’s a little extra bounce in my step. My thoughts keep drifting back to last night at the restaurant, and more specifically, to meeting Ethan.
His easy smile, the way his eyes lit up when he teased me, the warmth in his voice when he spoke—it’s all still fresh in my mind. It’s been a while since I felt a connection like that, and I’m not sure what to make of it. But whatever it is, it feels good.
With a sigh, I throw back the covers and swing my feet to the floor. Time to get moving. First graders won’t teach themselves, after all.
After a quick shower, I slip into a floral dress and my favorite pair of sandals, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts of Ethan. But as I head out the door and into the sunny streets of Hibiscus Harbor, the memory of his flirtatious grin keeps me smiling.
The drive to the school is short but refreshing with the windows open, and by the time I arrive, I’m ready to tackle the day. The schoolyard is already buzzing with energy as parents drop off their kids, and I wave to a few familiar faces before spotting my best friend, Brooke, near the entrance to the school where we both teach first grade.
“Morning, sunshine,” Brooke calls out, her grin wide and mischievous as she jogs over to me. “You look like you’re floating on air today. Did something, orsomeone, put a little extra pep in your step?” I had texted her last night about my impromptu conversation with Ethan.
I roll my eyes but can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. “You know me too well.”
“Oh, I know you better than you know yourself sometimes,” she teases, looping her arm through mine as we walk inside. “So, are you going to tell me about what happened last night, or do I have to drag it out of you?”
“There’s not much to tell,” I say, trying to keep my tone casual even as my thoughts drift back to Ethan’s easy banter and those piercing blue eyes. “We talked, we laughed, and then my ex-husband showed up and ruined the moment.”
“Ugh. Richard.” Brooke groans, making a face. “That guy is like a bad penny—always showing up at the worst times.”
“Tell me about it,” I mutter, shaking my head. “But Ethan—he was great. He stepped in and made sure Richard didn’t push me around which was good because I didn’t want to make a scene at the restaurant. Richard was almost two hours late to the meetinghewanted.”
Brooke’s eyes light up with interest. “Ooh, I like this Ethan already. Did he ask for your number?”
I feel my cheeks heat up. “Yeah, he did. Actually, he just put his in my phone.”
Brooke lets out a squeal of delight, nearly bouncing on her toes. “Yes! You’ve got to tell me if you hear from him.”
“I will,” I promise, laughing at her enthusiasm.
“Good,” Brooke says, giving my arm a supportive squeeze. “I’ve got a good feeling about this one and since I have no love life of my own, I’m going to live vicariously through you.”
With that, we part ways to head to our respective classrooms, but I can’t stop thinking about our conversation. Maybe Brooke’s onto something. Maybe there’s something more to this spark I felt with Ethan.
As I step into my classroom, I’m greeted by the familiar sight of colorful posters, tiny desks, and shelves filled with books and art supplies. The chaos of the room is comforting, a reminder that whatever happens outside these walls, this is where I belong.
By the time the first bell rings, I’m fully immersed in teacher mode. My students trickle in, full of energy and excitement, and soon I’m caught up in the whirlwind of morning routines and answering a million questions all at once.
But even as the day unfolds with its usual mix of excitement and minor disasters, I can’t help but steal glances at my phone, hoping for a message from Ethan. And just when I’m about to give up on the idea, it buzzes in my pocket.
My heart skips a beat as I see Ethan’s name on the screen.
Ethan: Hi, Jenny. I hope you’re having a good day. Any chance you’d like to meet up for coffee later?
I bite my lip, feeling a flutter of excitement as I quickly type out a reply.
Jenny: Hi, Ethan. My day’s going well, thanks. Coffee sounds great. How about after school?
Ethan: Perfect. There’s a little café on the corner called Bean & Bagel. Does 4:00 work for you?
