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I take a deep breath, trying to find my courage. “For the past few weeks, I have been involved in a relationship with Tyler Dixon.” Her face is expressionless, so I keep going. “I realize that it is against the contract I signed. I came here this morning to be honest with you and to let you know that from here on out, I will keep my relationship with Tyler purely professional.”
“Does he know that?”
“Yes. I told him last night that I didn’t see a future between us.”
Her eyebrows rise in interest. It’s the first reaction she’s shown. “Can I ask why you told him that?”
It’s none of her business, but I’m here in the name of honesty, so I don’t hold back. “Well, there’s my job to think about. Hopefully, I still have it. And I think everything with his past is too complicated. If he’s looking for someone like your daughter, I’m afraid I don’t fit that bill.”
“I see.” She nods. “I commend you for coming to me about your relationship. Obviously, I wish you hadn’t broken the school rules in the first place, but since it only lasted a few weeks and you were honest about your actions, I can probably convince the board to keep you on the staff.”
“That would be great. I really do love working here.” I turn to go.
“Meg?”
I pause. “Yes?”
“I think you made a good decision by ending things with Tyler.”
“It seemed like the best thing to do, given the circumstances.”
The satisfaction in Diane’s expression tells me she believes what I’m telling her.
If only I had half her confidence.
If only I didn’t feel like my heart were breaking in two.
* * *
TYLER
I arrive earlyto school to drop Krew off at Diane’s office so I can start working outside.
What I don’t expect to find is Meg telling Diane that she broke up with me.
Which I refuse to accept, by the way. But the sound of the words leaving Meg’s lips still gut me.
Krew stopped at the prize machine in the front, so that just leaves me, back pressed against the wall outside of Diane’s office. I’m shamefully listening in on their conversation.
“Tyler’s doing the best he can to parent on his own,” Diane says. “But it’s been a challenge for him. He’s not equipped to handle the responsibility of being a single parent. Half the time, he doesn’t know what he’s doing. That’s why he shouldn’t be dating anyone.”
My head drops. Diane sure knows how to make a man feel good about himself.
“I think Tyler’s doing an excellent job parenting by himself.” Meg’s voice is strong, and I can picture the defiant look in her eyes as she speaks. “He’s managing Krew better on his own than most parents do when there are two of them. Krew feels more love from Tyler on a daily basis than some kids get their entire lives. And I’m not saying that because I like Tyler. I’m saying that as a teacher who has been around a lot of children. If you can’t see what a wonderful father Tyler is, then you’re not as smart as I thought you were. You can’t expect him to stay single forever, Diane. Maybe it isn’t supposed to be me. Maybe I’ll never measure up, but eventually, itwillhappen. And I hope when it does, you’ll think about what’s best for Krew.”
Meg walks out of the office, and there’s no time to react.
She sees me.
Our eyes meet, and I take a deep breath, willing my unshed tears to stay put.
Her steps pause for a moment. Beneath her expression of surprise is compassion, love, and maybe even a bit oflonging.I’m hoping that the myriad of emotions flitting through Meg’s eyes means that she still has feelings for me, even though she told Diane we’re over.
But she doesn’t say anything. She only nods and walks away.
CHAPTER39
MEG
