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CHAPTER16
MEG
Imust be losing my mind.
That’s the only plausible explanation for my behavior today.
But I’ve come to my senses. The problem is, I came to my senses in front of the five other parents on the field trip who will surely gossip about my date—I meanfield trip—with Tyler Dixon. Everyone knows he’s Principal Carter’s son-in-law.
I stand by the bus, watching as the children load up, when Silvee’s mom, Monette Peterson, comes up to me.
“Thank you so much for helping out today,” I say.
She shoots me a sly smile, and her eyes dart to Tyler. “You two are really cute together.”
I pretend to be confused. “Who?”
“You and Tyler Dixon. I’ve been watching you today.”
Fabulous.
“You know what happened to his wife, right? It was so sad. Anyway, you guys are adorable.”
Monette winks at me before walking away, and I feel sick. The gossip has already begun.
I hang back until all the children are on the bus and the parents are walking to their own cars, and then I climb in. I look down the rows and rows of seats. There’s only one spot left, and it’s next to Tyler.
Why on earth didn’t I charter a bigger bus?
He glances up at me with a smile. “Krew wanted to sit with his friends. So I guess you’re stuck with me.”
It’s literally the last place I want to be right now.
“Oh, come on.” He pats the seat beside him. “It’s still daytime. Lord of Darkness won’t come out until tonight.”
I sit down, doing everything I can to keep my body from touching his, but we’re on a freaking school bus. The seats aren’t made for adults, especially men with broad shoulders like Tyler’s. A shiver goes down my spine as the side of our arms, hips, and thighs touch.
MERCY!
I’m calling mercy, because I can’t take this anymore. I’m in distress, and it’s all because of Tyler’s stupid dimple, his perfect smile, and now his very muscular hip and thigh that are pressed against mine. And let’s not forget about all the cute things he does and says.
He’s an excellent dad, and I’m not just getting that from the field trip. Krew talks about him nonstop. It’s more than the regular stuff kids say about their parents. Krew idolizes Tyler. I knew by the third day of school that Tyler put the time in to foster a relationship with his son. Good looks come and go, but being a dependable dad is something that is attractive forever.
I also like the way Tyler asks thoughtful questions. I feel like he’s really trying to get to know me. In the last year with Zak, I felt like he stopped being interested. He didn’t care if he knew me or not. It was an easy thing to let slide, especially since my mom got sick and my thoughts were fixated on her, but the few conversations I’ve had with Tyler over the last month have reminded me how much I like feeling important enough to know.
I mean, he found my Etsy shop.
Who does that?
He’s a Trojan horse. He entered my life unexpectedly, and now his little army of cuteness has opened the gates to my heart.
But I’m slamming them shut.
I’m taking back control of my heart, and I’m doing it now.
“That was fun.” He turns his head, smiling at me.
Yes, fun for people who haven’t been caught flirting all day.
