I blow out a calming breath. “It’s called Tryst. It’s pretty new.”
“Just the name sounds hot and filthy.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.
“Well, so far it’s been interesting. But it’s all online. I haven’t met up with anyone … yet.”
“But are you going to—? Wait. How many people are you talking to?”
I roll my eyes at her. “Just one. He’s a bit of a Sherlock nerd, too. That’s what caught my eye about his profile.”
By her second snort, I’m almost offended. I mean, I’m laying it all out here. I feel practically boobs-out naked.
She gives me an understanding look. “No, girl. I’m sorry. No judgment. I’m just amazed that you actually found someone you like on an app. So, Sherlock talks dirty to you?”
I slowly rake my teeth over my lower lip as I ponder how much more to tell her. “Um, yeah, he does. He’s Professor Moriarty, though, not Sherlock. And I’ve kind of been … egging him on?” The last part comes out as a question, as I still can’t quite believe what I’ve been doing myself.
She covers her mouth with her hand as she gasps. “Seriously?” She kicks her feet in excitement. “No freaking way. So, is that all it is? Like flirty sexting … or …?”
I firmly shake my head. “No. He’s smart and funny, too. I think I really like him. I’m scared. What if I end up meeting him and everything I’ve built up about him in my head isn’t anything like the real man?” Taking a deep breath, I exhale and send her my best wild-eyed I’m about to freak the hell out and it’s not going to be pretty look.
Sawyer’s deep voice interrupts us. “Hey, Had. We’re supposed to talk to Brian in his room in just a few minutes.”
Brian is their department chair, so I guess the conversation is over, even though I’m still all panicky and flapping about in the maelstrom of my emotions.
“Shoot. I gotta go, but I want to hear more when I come back. This is too amazing. I’m sure it will be fine. Just promise when you do meet him, you’ll do it in public.” She slaps her hand over her mouth. “You’ll meet him in public, that is. I didn’t mean to do him in public. That would be way naughtier than you’re ready for.” She winks at me with a tiny smirk playing at her lips.
I cover my mouth to hold my laughter in, my eyes rolling. Only Hadleigh …
With an encouraging squeeze to my arm, Hadleigh gets up and walks out of the workroom in front of Sawyer, who waves at me on his way out, an amused smile on his face.
I don’t even get a moment alone to compose myself because in strolls Damon, a cocky, smug grin on his stupid-handsome face. “Hey, did you share your thoughts yet with Jake in regard to next year’s curriculum? He seemed to really like my ideas.”
“No, Damon, I haven’t. I’m still doing some research. I like to be thorough.”
“I bet you do.” He stops next to my desk, tossing his gradebook on top of a bunch of essays he’d been grading earlier.
I rise from my chair and square off in front of him, forcing him to look at me. “Why are you goading me like this? Honestly, you are so exasperating lately. What is your deal?”
I blink, and the next thing I know, his hand wraps around my upper arm and he’s hauling me into the supply closet. The door clicks quietly behind us. It’s a dark and musty little eight-by-eight room. The only thing we bother to keep in here are classroom copies of books. Stacks and stacks, shelf after shelf of books surround us. Why did he drag me in here? I huff, flustered, as I go to flip the light switch. Damon grabs at my wrist, halting me. “Stop,” he huffs.
My mouth drops open to ask him just what the hell he thinks he’s doing when his fingers tighten on my arm. I blink a few times, trying to focus in the dark room. He raises a forefinger in front of his full, masculine lips in a classic shush gesture. His head bends down toward mine and his deep, hypnotic eyes glitter in the darkness. “Wait,” he whispers.
My heart thunders. I don’t understand why we’re in here, and Damon’s body is just a little too close to mine for comfort. He’s tall and muscular, dominating most of the space in the room, and oh my God, get me out of here.
“It’s Jake and Principal Smith. Listen.”
I whisper-shout right into his face. “I’m not listening in on their conversation. What are you, some kind of teacher-slash-spy?”
“If you’d just listen, you’d know they’re talking about us. About who he’s going to choose.”
“What?” I bump into Damon’s chest with my shoulder as I twist around toward the door. I have no shame as I lean closer, straining to hear.
Okay. Maybe a little.
He chuckles quietly right next to my ear, his big, hard body at my back. “I thought you might be interested in hearing what they’re saying.”
I can’t decide whether to follow what my brain is telling me to do and pay attention or heed the warning signals that my body is giving off. Hi
s front is practically molded to the back of me as we both eavesdrop on the conversation happening in the workroom. It’s … not awful. Oh. Oh my. Horny single lady needs to get her head back in the game.