Page 9 of About Time You Noticed

Chapter Three

THE MICROWAVE DINGED, and Tommy pushed off the stainless-steel counter. The staff room remained empty except for one teacher who gathered her belongings in a mad rush.

His parent-teacher meeting had run overtime. Tommy only had three minutes to eat his lasagna. He opened the oven door, and the steam of tomatoes and garlic hit his senses.

“Well, that was easy." Edward strode into the staff room and patted Tommy's shoulder. "Thanks for your help. She said yes."

The hot plastic burned Tommy’s hands as he threw the container onto the counter. “Yowzers, that’s hot.” He flapped his hand—every freaking time. What a doofus—too distracted by the image of Sarah and Edward making eyes across a booth table. He hadn’t seen that one coming.

"Good for you.” Tommy choked out the words, his throat tight. Protectiveness toward Sarah snapped his spine ramrod straight. “But do me a favor and take things slow. Sarah can’t get hurt."

Edward stepped back. "I'll be on my best behavior." He raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, if you’ve got a thing for her. Sorry, man. She gave me the impression you were just friends.”

Tommy forced a smile. “We’re close. I admit I’m a little protective when it comes to Sarah. She’s so sweet and innocent.”

Edward looked at the ceiling and released a dreamy sigh. “Yeah. She’s amazing. I feel at peace around her.” He lowered his gaze to Tommy and blinked, his smile fading.

Tommy scrubbed a hand over his face, forcing his brow to relax. His fixed frown would give the wrong idea. Edward spoke the truth. Sarah was amazing.

Tommy removed a fork from the utensil drawer. “So, when is the big date?” He stabbed his fork into the pasta, hard. What was wrong with him? Why was he so moody? Of course, Edward found Sarah’s personality attractive.

“This weekend.” Edward clipped him on the shoulder, eyes crinkling at the corners. “Thanks to you, champ. I’ve got to run and prepare for class. See you tomorrow.” He rushed out the door.

Would Sarah find Edward attractive? He did have kind eyes. A woman might say ‘magnetizing.’ He scoffed and shook his head. Tommy shoved a large chunk of pasta into his gob. He swallowed the scorching food, along with the realization that Sarah and Edward would be perfect for each other. He trusted Edward. Although he lived out of town and went to another church, what Tommy had seen of Edward at school proved he was a man of integrity. He always went beyond his role as a science teacher and had become a mentor to several of his students.

But shy Sarah had never dated and would most likely swoon over Edward’s attention, fall in love, and leave Tommy the last single in their group. He’d been so content with work, family, and friends over the passing years, in no hurry to find anyone. Being the odd man out would give him the motivation he needed. High time he met someone too. But how in little Idaho Springs, population of eighteen hundred?

The first bell rang through the overhead speaker. Next up the sophomores’ soccer match. Then the gym at two with the seniors, and tonight he’d eat at Mom and Dad’s place. He should invite Sarah—not to spend time with her.

He’d told Edward to take it slow. Sarah needed the same lecture. But should he interfere? She was old enough to look after herself, no longer naïve as she’d been a few years ago when that wolf Theo had chased after her. Theo had a reputation in Idaho Springs. When he’d taken a shine toward Sarah, Tommy couldn't stand by and let some idiot ruin her character.

Tommy threw his remaining lasagna in the trash, all hot and bothered by the memory. When Theo had blabbed about Sarah being his next target, and he was up for a challenge, Tommy had lost all control. Grabbing Theo by the collar and shoving him to the wall wasn't his finest moment. He should've just told Sarah's dad and been done with it. Her dad was strict. No guy got past the gatekeeper. Probably more the reason she hadn't dated much, rather than shyness. She lived apart from her parents now, and her dad wouldn’t know all that went on in her life. The man might’ve realized he’d acted a little over the top, and Sarah had grown wiser. Still, it twisted his gut to think she might fall in love, only to have something go wrong.

Maybe Becca could talk some sense into her. Emily seemed to have no reserves, all too ready to throw caution to the wind.

Tommy pulled out his cell and sent Sarah a text.

Tommy: Hey, I guess you haven't seen Becca for a while. We're having a family dinner tonight at my mom's house if you want to join us. She's cooking her creamy mushroom and chicken pasta dish. Can't miss that.

She might not see her phone message until the end of the day.

Sarah: Oooh. Yes, please. Count me in.

A grin lifted his cheeks. He always looked forward to hanging out with his best friend.

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