Page 10 of Fall Twice

I fake shock and fold my arms over my chest. “This is what I get for taking interest in your profession?”

His hand lands on my shoulder. “Come on, I need to get you out of here, otherwise I’ll have rumors starting amongst the students. Plus, I’m starving.”

“Okay.” I turn serious. “But really, it was an interesting hour, and it suits you, teaching, I mean.”

“Thanks. If it’s any consolation, if I didn’t know who you were then I would have assumed you were twenty-one and just another student.”

I nudge his arm with my own. “Don’t flatter me. Otherwise, I may feel inclined to buy you lunch.”

“You know I wouldn’t let you anyway, because I’m a gentleman.”

“Yes, but I’m not traditional, and we’re friends. Plus, you bought coffees last night,” I justify.

He ruefully shakes his head and leads the way.

Reid watchesme as I stuff a chili dog into my mouth. I have no qualms about eating like this, it’s the best thing in my life right now.

“I wasn’t expecting this. You were a salad person, like a straight-up dressing-on-the-side salad person.” He chomps into his burger.

I swallow and wipe my mouth with the napkin. “I know, but it’s all about balance which I finally figured out. Plus, I’ve heard stories about this place, and I’m not leaving until we get the chocolate eclair cake.”

He salutes me. “Yes, ma’am.”

“It must be nice not to have to teach all day. I guess it offsets with grading papers and thesis advising?”

“It does.” He doesn’t seem interested to talk about work. “So tell me, what is on the agenda for today? Did you pick your place?”

I smile, satisfied with my choice. “I did. I get the keys in two weeks, already booked the movers, and I just need to order a new bed and a few things for Oscar. I don’t care if I have to sleep on a box, his room has to be ready when he moves in. I’ll come out for a few days first, then his father will bring him here.”

I’m surprised by the way he patiently listens every time I go on and on about my son; he almost seems interested.

“I guess we could hit up some stores so you can look at stuff.”

I playfully slam my hand down onto the table. “You volunteer to go shopping with me?”

He shrugs. “Why not? Besides, something tells me that you need to be kept in line so you don’t veer off track.”

A sound escapes from the back of my throat.Kept in line. It sends a shiver down my spine in a warm way, never mind the flashback of him pinning me against a wall after a party.

“Offer accepted,” I say without thought, knowing I should be more hesitant to the suggestion. “The assistant at my new job offered to help, but I think it kind of feels better to do this stuff with someone I’m more familiar with.”

He draws his thumb along the line of his jaw. “You’re familiar with me?” He seems amused.

I tilt my head to the side. “I mean, it’s been years, but it feels the same and different, if that makes any sense.”

He smiles gently. “I get it.” He glances outside. “Hey, have you had the grand tour of Hollows yet?”

I shake my head. “Only the windshield tour. Know a good tour guide?” I play along.

“Come on, let’s get your cake to-go, and I want to show you something.” He stands up abruptly and offers me his hand.

I stare at his hand for a second extra before sliding my own onto his palm because I’m curious where our day will go, yet scared that every time we touch that feeling of complete attachment to someone returns, but I push that thought to the side.

Ten minutes later, we are walking down Main Street, and we head straight to a candle store that has Halloween decorations in the window, but not the kind you find at commercial stores. It’s more… classic, chic, or quite possibly authentic.

We walk in and the bell rings over the door, getting hit with the smell of cinnamon and sage instantly.

Reid leans in to speak softly into my ear. “People say she has powers.” I hear enough humor in his tone.

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