Page 5 of Fall for You (Flirting with Forever 4)

Uh-oh. I can tell already; she’s just gone into lawyer mode and is prepared to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. She’s feisty like that.

Quinn blanches. “Oh. Um, well. I have a commitment after school most days—” Her eyes flick to mine, her smile tight.

Becky nods. “I get that maybe this isn’t the norm, but we’d pay you. We understand your time and expertise are valuable.”

Only my ex-wife would attempt to buy our daughter’s teacher. I prop my forearms on my thighs and look down at the floor, slowly shaking my head.

“I—”

Poor Quinn.

“We can do three hundred per session.” Becky offers a quick smile, game face still on.

“Oh. Um.” Quinn’s eyes practically bug out of her head, and she glances at me, catching the corner of her lip between her teeth. Great. Now Becky’s made the whole scenario more uncomfortable by adding a shit ton of money into the equation.

Time for me to step in. I look up, glancing between the two women. “We should ask Olivia if being tutored is something she’s willing to try before making any formal plans.” I run my hand over my stubbled jawline. “I’d like to know if you have an idea about what’s distracting her or what could be worrying her enough while she’s in class that she’d not be paying attention.”

Quinn grimaces. “I haven’t noticed anything, but I will definitely be watching more carefully now. I can let you know what I observe. It could be just about anything. I mean, it’s high school. Maybe she’s interested in someone in the class. Or someone she’s not interested in is bothering her?” She shrugs. “Maybe something is happening in another class. I can put out feelers, and I’ll definitely double-check with her guidance counselor. Could it be something at home that’s bothering her?”

Becky and I exchange a look, and I totally interpret hers as, Is this your fault?

How the hell am I supposed to know? I close my eyes briefly and draw in a breath. When I open my eyes, Quinn’s watching me, her astute focus totally on me. “I don’t think it’s anything at home, but we’ll try to talk to her.”

Quinn nods. “Okay. I’ll keep my eyes open, too.” She sighs, giving us a confused smile. “I like your daughter a lot, but lately, it’s like she’s here but her mind is elsewhere.”

Olivia knocks on the open door, standing hesitantly with a bag of chips in hand. “Is it okay for me to come in now?”

Quinn gives her a bright smile—markedly different from the ones laced with confusion and worry that she’s been exchanging with us—and replies, “Of course, Olivia. We were just talking about arranging some tutoring sessions, if you’re up for it. I could do Wednesdays after school, if you’re willing.”

Becky cuts in, “Of course, all the tutoring in the world won’t be effective if you’re not willing to put anything into it, so keep that in mind. Your dad and I are willing to support you in this, but you have to meet us halfway.”

Olivia shifts around, clearly uncomfortable at the insinuation that she wouldn’t put her best foot forward.

“I tell you what, why don’t we talk about it at home and get back to Ms. Lockmore tomorrow.” My voice is gruff. I really dislike it when Becky is a hard-ass with our daughter.

Olivia’s eyes cast down. She murmurs, “Okay, Dad.”

Becky focuses back on Quinn. “We’ll talk some more with Olivia and get back to you. Could I get your number? We can call or text you with our final decision.”

Quinn grabs a pad of paper from the corner of her desk, jots down her number, and hands it to Becky.

Oh, the irony. My ex-wife has the number of the woman I’ve been … seeing? Is that even the right word? Honestly, I guess it is. We haven’t been dating, just sort of seeing each other. And kissing each other.

Quinn stands, as do Becky and I, and we make our way to the doorway where Olivia still hovers. I turn to Quinn, and open my mouth to say thank you, but I can’t get the words out. My eyes connect with hers, and I try to silently communicate so many things with her.

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I’m sorry.

This was beyond awkward.

I hate that our worlds have collided like this.

Becky holds out a hand again. “Thank you, Ms. Lockmore. We’ll be in touch soon.”

The words “Thank you,” rasp from my throat. I lift a hand and give a half-hearted wave as I gather Olivia under my arm and walk away.

My heart thrums heavily with the realization that my life is about to get a whole hell of a lot more complicated.

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