Page 29 of Teacher's Pet

“How?” I laugh. “We have no reception and no minister. Our families are expecting more—”

“The people who really matter will understand,” he interrupts. “Those who don’t, well, who cares? I forgot to mention, but Rick has found another minister. We just need catering. I’m sure we can still make this work, sweetheart.”

“You know which of those two categories your parents fall into, don’t you?” I tease.

“They’ll be annoyed,” he agrees, a twinkle in his eyes. “That’s half the appeal.”

“Okay,” I grin. “Then let’s do it. I mean, things can’t get much worse, right?”

He groans, but with a smile. “Will you please stop saying that?”

Chapter Seven

Lennon

I walk Darcy back to her room, and wrap my arms around her slender waist when we reach her door. God, she’s so fucking perfect. The way she smiles, the way her eyes sparkle every time she looks up at me. I lean down, cupping her chin with my hand, and tilt her face up to mine. We kiss, and I’m gone again.

“Let me know if you figure out the catering, for the wedding breakfast situation,” she says, all business-like. “You’d better go,” she whispers, gently pushing me away. “Or I won’t be able to let you leave.”

“So, don’t,” I grin. “Two days and we’ll be married, anyway. It’s not like your ‘no sex’ rule hasn’t flown out the window already.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “So, I fell off the wagon once—”

“Twice,” I correct her. “Well, three if you count the time I made you—”

“Okay, so I have no willpower,” she growls. I chuckle, loving how cute she is when she’s annoyed at me. “Go, before I call security. I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow, getting myself all beautiful for you.”

“You’re always beautiful,” I whisper, kissing her lips. “We’re really going to go all day tomorrow without seeing each other? That’s gonna suck, big time.”

She smiles at me. “It’s bad luck for you to see me the day before the wedding.”

“Says who?” I protest.

“Me,” she grins. “Now go. The next time I see you, we’re going to be saying ‘I do’.”

I laugh and step back as she moves inside the room, blows me a kiss and closes the door. With my hands shoved deep in my pockets, I walk down the hallway, still thinking about her when I hear a familiar voice behind me.

“Lennon? Is that you, Lennon?”

I whirl around, my heart pounding. That voice sounds familiar.

“John?” I say, forcing a smile as I recognize my old boss, and Darcy’s former Principal at Findon Private. “What the hell are you doing here?” I ask in genuine shock. I extend my hand to greet him. “How are you?”

“Good, thanks, and I could ask you the same question,” he says with a smile. “I booked this vacation a couple of months ago. Saw it in the window at Bird’s travel agency in town, and thought, why not? I’m guessing you saw it, too, huh?”

“Yes, it was a stunning deal, so I snapped it up” I say, now regretting that decision. What are the fucking odds, right? Why didn’t I book something off the internet instead?

“I couldn’t believe it was you when I turned the corner. This is some coincidence, meeting you here in the middle of the Pacific. We really must stop meeting like this,” he says, laughing at his own joke.

“It’s a great place, for sure,” I reply, gritting my teeth. Oh, yeah. This is one hell of a worst nightmare coincidence, alright. I just hope I can get away quickly to avoid any more probing questions.

“You know, we miss you at Findon. I wish you’d reconsider, and come back to our school. You were so good with the kids. Where are you teaching now?”

Kids? Holy crap, and Darcy was one of them. I swallow the lump in my throat, hoping I can wrap this conversation up and get out of here.

“I, uh, I’m between posts, but applying for a few jobs,” I say. “I had an interview over at Summerton High two weeks ago that seemed to go well.”

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