Page 5 of One Kiss

“Actually, Kendra,” he says.

So, this is not a formal meeting?

“Yes, Xander?”I cock my eyebrow up in challenge.He can’t help but sit back and chuckle.

“Tit for tat, huh?”he replies, trying to wipe the smile from his face.Some of the tension I was feeling alleviated.

“I called you here this morning to apologize.I believe I may have crossed a line when I put my hands on you, and I didn’t mean any harm.I wanted to make sure you were okay and wasn’t sure you would give me the time of day if I knocked on your door.”He leans forward, placing his elbow on the desk.Concern and guilt are written all over his face.It makes me feel bad for the way I reacted.

Relief floods through me like a tidal wave, “I thought I was getting fired,” I blurt out.He throws his head back and laughs, “Kendra, why would you think such a thing?”

“I don’t know, I guess, after how I acted the other night,” I confess and ease myself back into the chair, a little more relaxed.I think it’s time we discussed why I reacted the way I did.

“Xander, don’t take it personally.I just don’t like people grabbing me.The reaction to hit first, and ask questions later, is something I’m working on.It’s a Johnson thing.”Not embarrassed.It’s just the way we were raised.

Always stand up to your bully, speak how you feel, and fuck what anyone else thinks.Take no shit and leave no prisoners.The bigger they are, the harder they fall and all that nonsense.It is what it is.

“I was bullied a lot when I was a kid.Walking away has become my defense mechanism for everything,” he admits.

“I’m sorry you went through any of that.”I try to make him feel better, and he sighs.

“So, we’re good?”He turns in his chair and asks.

I stand up and reach my hand out, “Yes, Xander, and to make it up to you, my place at eight PM sharp tonight, I insist.”We shake, and I excuse myself to prepare the classroom for his discussion group.

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