Page 2 of Love at First Bite
“How are the little hellions this week?” Abby asked. I rolled my eyes.
“You would think that cooler weather would chill kids out. It feels like this year, it gave them an energy boost and somehow recharged their batteries.” I joked. Sorta.
“You love it,” Ember muttered with a knowing look, and I nodded.
“I do.” And I did. I loved my job. I was a fourth-grade teacher at Moonlit Elementary, my very own alma mater, and there was hardly a day I didn’t enjoy even when curveballs were tossed my way. I sipped my drink and happy danced in my seat before I dug into my purse for my trusty notebook.
“Oh, man,” Ember groaned. My lips twitched into a small smile even though I knew they were all about to gang up on me.
“She just sat down, and the notebook’s coming out already,” Abby teased.
“Drink your coffee,” Rosie said, picking hers up, too. “There is no rush today, is there?” she asked, her eyes focused on me.
“No.” I shook my head. “You’re right. It just feels like I’ve been rushing around all week.” I set my notebook on the table and sipped my coffee. Ember pushed the chocolate chip cookie towards me with a silent offer I was more than happy to take her up on. The girls started talking until their attention moved to me.
“How’s that new principal doing?” Ember asked. I felt her and Rosie’s eyes on me.
“He’s okay.” I shrugged, not really knowing what to say about the guy. “He’s not the worst. Just…” My voice drifted off to nothing. I wasn’t sure how to explain it.
“What?” Abby asked, setting her phone down on the table, her attention on me.
“New,” I decided to go with. All three of my friends’ eyes widened then turned confused. “Very new,” I added. “I mean to Moonlit. He moved here from Seattle.” As if that would explain it all.
“Big city,” Ember noted, and I nodded.
“Yeah, and I feel like it might take him a little bit to get used to living in a smaller town.” I could see their understanding.
“A mountain town,” Rosie observed, and the three of us nodded.
“Especially with a place like Moonlit,” Ember added.
“Everyone knows everyone’s business mostly. It is tight knit,” I mumbled with a grin.
“That’s a very nice way to describe living with nosy people,” Abby said and sighed. “But he’s not a jerk, right?”
“No! Not at all.”
“I heard even if he was, he’s a hot jerk.”
“Hot jerk, huh?” Abby repeated. I made a face. “I haven’t seen him. Is he hot, Tabby?”
“Maybe? I don’t know. He's not my type.” I shrugged.
“What is that? Fictional?” Abby responded way too quickly.
“Good one!” We all started to laugh.
When we calmed down and a comfortable silence settled between us, I spoke up, excitement about the holiday planning prickling through me. “Okay, so, now can we talk about it?” My feet bounced with excitement.
“Talk about?” Ember asked slowly, obviously pulling my chain.
“Halloween Book Club!” I pointed out and immediately noticed it.
Something is up.The three of them looked at one another in a way I had only ever seen them do once. For prom our senior year.
We’d planned on ditching it, but at the last minute, they’d all wanted to go. It had been the only other time where the three of them ganged up on me.I’d hated it.And I really wasn’t enjoying how whatever was happening felt now. My stomach tightened, and I sat up straighter.
“What’s up?” I looked at each one.
