Page 37 of Minor Trouble
I opened my mouth to speak, but Ainsley beat me to it.
“If you were such close friends with her, then I’m sure you would have known about the tragic accident that took her life.” Her fingers linked with mine, the gentle pressure of her thumb caressing my knuckles having a calming effect. “Seth has been doing a wonderful job taking Noah under his wing and adjusting to life as a single father, when he’s had absolutely no experience of bringing up a child, let alone on his own. You should be more grateful that yourfriendhad someone like that who would step in, without any consideration for the impact it would have on his life.”
I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing—Ainsley defending me to someone who was a total stranger to her. I’d never experienced that before. A rush of affection coursed through me and I squeezed her hand.
“I had no idea,” Kaley admitted. She turned to Noah. “I’m so sorry for your loss. Hannah was a great friend, even if we hadn’t been in touch recently.” Her gaze moved to me. “It can’t have been easy turning your whole existence upside down for a kid you barely knew. I guess I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge.”
“What’s that saying? Don’t judge me until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes?” I tilted my head.
“Well, yes, perhaps I should give you the benefit of the doubt. Noah seems to be a good kid.”
“Despite who his father is?” I couldn’t resist getting the jibe in.
She sucked in her lips. “I’m not going to stop Pepper from seeing him, if that’s what you’re getting at. They’re good friends, and they need each other right now.”
“They certainly do,” said Ainsley. “I think you should take Pepper home, Mrs. Smart. It’s been a long day. She could do with some time with her mom.”
Kaley nodded and held out her hand to Pepper. “Good idea.” She forced a weak smile. “Thanks, Ms. Coren. I’ll talk to you again in the morning.” Then the two of them were gone, leaving Noah, Ainsley, and me.
“We should be going too,” I said to Noah. “I’m pretty sure I’ve left Brad alone for a lot longer than I’m meant to.”
There was a knock on the office door.
“Ah, good, Ainsley, you’re still here. We need to talk about what went on this afternoon.” The principal looked pointedly between us, as Ainsley dropped my fingers like she’d been burned. “I’m glad everything turned out okay though,” Principal Collins said.
“Me too,” I said. “Come on, Noah, let’s go.” I motioned to Ainsley I’d call her later, and we left, shutting the door behind us. I desperately hoped Ainsley wouldn’t get into trouble because of us, but the look on the principal’s face told me otherwise.
Sixteen
Ainsley
By the time I got home some hours later, my head throbbed, and anything would set off the tears which threatened to spill out at any moment. After everyone else had left, Principal Collins had closed my office door and basically talked at me. She warned me of getting too involved with my students, that becoming too close blurred the lines between professionalism and friendliness. Then she went on to question me about my relationship with Seth. Instead of feeling that something good had come out of today by making sure Noah and Pepper were safe in their respective homes with their parents, she had turned it into something bordering on sordid.
I couldn’t deny I found Seth attractive. The more time we spent together, albeit under the guise of something to do with Noah, the more I enjoyed his company. Apart from that one, all-consuming kiss, nothing else had occurred. We had never spoken about being attracted to each other, even though it was evident we had a spark, a chemistry. It looked as if that would be snuffed out before it had a chance to burn.
I locked the car and wearily climbed the stairs to my apartment. All I wanted was to get in the tub and have a large glass of wine. When I opened the door, the TV blared from the living room. Frowning, I crept down the hallway, trying not to disturb whoever might be in my space.
“Marlena!”
My shoulders sagged in relief at the sight of my landlord sitting on my sofa, a bag of chips in her lap, glued toThe Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Her head whipped in my direction, hand frozen halfway to her mouth.
“Ainsley! Did you find the children?”
I had completely forgotten I’d sent Seth here earlier and Marlena would have let him in. “Yes, yes we did. They were near the school.”
“I stayed after Seth came over, in case they came here.” She lifted the bag. “I got a bit peckish, sorry.”
“Don’t be. Thank you so much for staying, and sorry for causing you any inconvenience.” I dropped my bags in the doorway and went over the couch, sitting down beside Marlena.
She reached over and rubbed a hand over my back. “You look shattered.”
I inhaled sharply. “It’s been one hell of a day.”
Marlena paused, as if mulling over what she was about to say. “I don’t know what’s between you and Seth Hudson, but I can tell he’s changed. Back when he’d just left school, he wouldn’t have given two figs about anyone but himself or where his next sale was coming from. Seeing him here today, seeing how worried he was about Noah and Pepper, he’s grown up. He’s no longer the deadbeat he once was. He cares about you, Ainsley.”
The tears which had pricked my eyes since leaving school earlier started to fall unheeded down my cheeks. Emotions stirred up from the day, and I sobbed on Marlena’s shoulder, not showing any signs of stopping.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
