Page 49 of The Invite
“It’s not your fault,” I repeat his words.
“Wow, guess we have more in common than we thought,” he murmurs, rubbing his square jaw.
“Yeah.”
He steps closer, making me tilt my head. “I’m here if you need someone to talkto.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“I think we’ve had enough of the heavy talk,” he says, his voice light as he switches topics. “Do you want to order dinner?”
It dawns on me that we’re still standing in the hallway, and I admit it apologetically. “I didn’t even take you to the living room. Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll put this wine in the kitchen?”
Ace must read the awkwardness on my face because he takes my hand and pulls me into the living room. “Relax, Nessa. No need to be formal.”
“You brought me wine, Ace.”
He chuckles at my dry humor. “Because it’s impolite to come empty-handed.”
I place the bottle on the coffee table as we both sit beside each other on the gray couch. Ace leans back comfortably, looking regal.
“How was your day?” he asks, twisting toward me.
My body mirrors his position so I’m facing him. “It was lazy and boring.”
“Just the way Sundays should be.”
“I also spent some time making a plan for tomorrow’s class.” Tucking my hair, I tell him, “I was a bit distracted on the first day. How was your first day of teaching?”
His head tilts, eyes far away as though he’s remembering it before focusing on me with a grin. “Honestly, I had no clue what I was doing.”
“Really?” Ace carries himself with so much confidence that I find it hard to believe.
“Yeah. No one knows what they’re doing on the first day of thejob, no matter which profession it is. Teaching sounds easy but can be nerve-racking. But with each day, you get the hang of it. Being organized surely helps.”
“I’m hoping for the same. With what happened on my first day, I’m sure the rumors must have spread. So, I don’t know how my students will behave tomorrow.”
Ace's gaze softens, and he soothes my anxiety by saying, “There will be hushed murmurs but soon, they’ll move on to the next gossip. Teenagers don’t have a long span of attention when it comes to drama, Nessa.”
“You’re right.”
“Wait for them to get to know you. You never know, you may just become their favorite teacher.”
“Like how you’re popular among the female students?” I blurt mischievously before I can filter my words.
He nudges the corner of his specs and shakes his head. “I wouldn’t call myself popular.”
“I’m teasing you.”
He chuckles. “I know.”
“So, from which restaurant are we ordering?”
“One that’ll have you licking your fingers.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me?”
Mischief crosses his eyes, and he replies, “I’m in the mood to surprise you. Do you trust me, Nessa?”
