Page 10 of Hot Four Teacher
“Speaking of small-town living,” he begins. “How goes it?”
“Pretty good. I started my new teaching job yesterday, and it’s going alright.”
Tim says, “I feel like you’ve always been a small-town guy who just never lived in a small town.”
He has a point. I think I’m going to like Lilly Leaf Falls.
“It’s nice so far,” I tell him.
Tim asks, “Are you happy?”
“What the fuck kind of question is that?” I laugh. “When did you become my therapist?”
“Jane wanted me to ask.”
“I should’ve known.” I smile.
“She worries about you. She says you’re my only real friend, so she has to keep you around.”
“You can tell Jane that I’m doing just fine. I’ll have to come down to Texas to see you guys sometime.”
“Good! She misses you.”
Back in the day, Tim and Jane lived about ten minutes from Cassie and me in Portland. We were all pretty close. Now, I really only see Tim when he’s coming into town to visit his mom.
I look at him. “Now, can we get off the mushy shit?”
“Alright, alright. But next round is on you.”
Chapter five
Same Words, Different Fonts
Michelle
Remember an hour ago when I was so excited to go out tonight? Now, I feel myself wondering if that was a mistake. Ronnie took her time primping me until she decided I was ready to leave the house. While I don’t feel hideous, I don’t feel like myself either.
Usually, I’m in yoga pants or leggings and a t-shirt. Comfort is paramount to me.
Ronnie wasn’t standing for any of that, though. She insisted this was a special occasion and that I needed to look as hot as possible. That meant a pair of dark skinny jeans, a sparkly black low-cuttop, ankle boots with a very small heel on them, and some smokey eye makeup.
I just feel like it’s all a bit much. As we walk into Giddy Ups, I feel like everyone is staring at me.
Ronnie leads the way to a table where Liz and Leah are already waiting. I’m still not exactly feeling myself…until I see the look on their faces.
Liz looks me up and down. “Damn, woman! Look at you!”
Leah adds, “You weren’t kidding. Michelle means business tonight.”
I look down at my outfit. “Are you sure it’s not too much?”
Liz shakes her head. “Not at all. That outfit looks smoking hot on you.”
Ronnie shoots me a look. “Told you. When will you all start listening to me?”
She and I take a seat at the table, and Leah says, “The waitress should be back in a minute. We haven’t ordered anything yet.”
Ronnie says, “I’m far too impatient for that. I’m going to the bar. Be right back.”
