Page 9 of Bad Teacher

“Have a seat,” she said. “I was with a friend and—”

Friend? An odd sensation punched him in the gut. His eyes searched for the friend she’d been entertaining, but relief loosened his muscles when he found a lovely woman with long, dark hair, sitting on one of the stools in the kitchen area. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Violet crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s okay, you can tell me whatever you need to tell me and then go.”

The friend slid from her chair, grabbed her keys and purse and walked up to him. “No, that’s totally fine. I was on my way.”

“Lara, you don’t have to—”

Lara stretched her hand. “Lara Nunes, nice to meet you.”

“Theo Brodeur,” he said, shaking her hand. “Again, I didn’t mean to cut your time short. Please stay.”

Lara kept shaking his head. “I’d love to, but I just got a text. Hmmm, you have a firm handshake… nice,” she said, widening her eyes. Sounded to him like she was being playful and teasing Violet rather than flirting with him.

“Lara,” Violet said behind her, an edge in her voice.

“Okay, fine. I’m out of here. Be careful, you guys,” she said and dashed out of the house, closing the door behind her.

“I guess we’re alone now,” she said. “I’m going to keep drinking wine because I may just need it to get through tonight. Want some?”

“Sure.”

She strode to the kitchen, grabbed a clean glass from the cupboard and poured red wine in it. When she returned to him, she held her glass and handed his. When he took it from her, the light, accidental brush of her finger on his shot a jolt of awareness up his arm. He regarded her, and she took a step or two backward, fingers clenching the stem of the glass.

“I’m sorry I was curt with you earlier,” he said, wasting no time to clear the air.

“Curt?” She shook her head. “You accused me of wanting her to fail on purpose.”

He scratched his chin. “A mistake.”

“Why would you say that? You don’t even know me.”

He took a sip of the wine. Damn. Embarrassment washed over him. When he’d come tonight, his main goal was to appease her and make things right again. Not lose the only tutor his daughter somewhat enjoyed. When Marcelle had asked him what had happened after she left, he hadn’t had the heart to tell her he’d foolishly pushed Violet away. He came up with some excuse and promised himself to undo the mistake he’d made. But now, pain flickered her eyes, and the wave of embarrassment hit him harder. He’d hurt her, and he’d been an idiot.

“I was a jerk.” He took another sip then sat on the sofa, plopping down so the red contents nearly sloshed out of the glass. “Ever since my wife died, I have this anger inside me… and usually take it out on the wrong person.” His employees would certainly agree.

Her facial expression softened, and she sat across from him. “I understand.”

“Have you ever lost someone?”

She sighed. “Only my mind. It’s a long story. I ended up divorced and sharing my children with my ex-husband.”

“I’m sorry. Are the kids okay?”

She smiled. “Yes. They are doing well. They’re at their father’s today.”

He detected a trace of resignation in her voice, but didn’t comment on it.

“The oldest one, Amanda, she’s seven now. She’s been having some separation anxiety issues, mainly when she comes over my house.”

“She doesn’t want to go back to her father’s?”

“No. She enjoys it there too. She gets worried sometimes that I’ll leave her if she’s away from me.”

He leaned in, setting the glass of wine on the coffee table. “I’m sorry. I know divorce can be really hard on kids,” he said, remembering the day his parents brought him and his sister to the living room and told them they’d go their separate ways. “The back and forth, the resentment.”

“I can’t blame my ex. Damian is a great father and he never screwed me over.”

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