Page 1 of Unwrapping Spring Break

Chapter One

Lily

Thefinalbellrings.I watch with amusement as the classroom empties with laughter and excited shouting. Of course, it’s always the same, but somehow, Fridays seem to draw more enthusiasm from my students as they exit for the weekend.

A few stragglers remain today—the last day before the holiday break. Someone is always forgetting something or has dumped the contents of their backpack on the floor and is not ready to leave by the final bell.

“Bye, Miss Summers!” today’s slowpoke cries as she runs past my desk.

“Bye, Isabella.” I wave, attempting not to chuckle. “Have a nice weekend. And no picking fights with your brothers!” But the words fall on deaf ears. The little redhead is already through the door and sprinting down the hallway.

Isabella is the youngest of five children, and as the only girl, one might think she would be shy or reserved. She’s quite the opposite. Instead of her finger, she has her brothers wrapped around her little fist, which would also connect with their faces fast enough if they didn’t do what she wanted. Two of her brothers are still in middle school with her. More than once, the recess monitors have broken up fights between the siblings. Every time, Isabella has come out of the battle with nothing more than rumpled curls and wrinkled clothes. Her brothers aren’t usually so lucky.

The students—my kids, as I call them—bring their separate personalities and traits to the classroom. While they also carry an assortment of challenges, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love these kids, and I love my job. They’re not too old to be coddled, but not yet old enough to be jaded. They resemble clay at this age. Malleable, eager to learn about everything, ready to absorb anything that comes their way.

That’s one thing I constantly have to remind myself. My kids are flies on the wall, even when you think their little ears are out of range. Parents in the past have called the school to complain about an interesting new word or phrase their child picked up from listening at the door to the faculty lounge. Like any profession, it has its ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Teaching middle schoolers is my definition of a perfect job.

After a long week of rambunctious children, the now-silent building appears eerie. For a second, I linger at my desk and straighten the stack of English papers I need to grade over the weekend. In a moment of weakness, I’d allowed my kids to choose a book to write their report on. The only condition was that I had to approve it. Some of these reports are going to crack me up. I have no doubt I’m in for an exciting weekend.

My cell phone cuts through the silence with a ding, indicating I have one unread text message. It’s my mother reminding me, once again, that I agreed to go to the grand opening of my dad’s new store tonight. He and his partner, Jax Griffin, are expanding their cigar import business. Mom is so proud. I am too—just not as excited as she is.

I sigh and then return her text, confirming I will be there. As I put the stack of reports into my bag, my phone dings again with Mom’s reply telling me she will send me a car. I roll my eyes and pocket my phone.

“Hey, Lily!” A friendly face appears at the door to my classroom. I look up from gathering my things to smile at Denise. Her eyes glimmer with excitement as she grins at me. “We’re hitting up Joe’s for dinner and drinks. Wanna go?”

While it sounds far more interesting than the grand opening, I would have to be in the ICU to miss Dad’s party. I sigh. “Can’t. The new store opening is tonight. Come visit me in the hospital if I don’t make it, that’s where my mother will put me.”

Denise laughs. “Better you than me! Stuffed shirts and smelly cigars—definitely not my thing,blech.”

“Yeah, yeah. Lucky you.” I throw my bag over my shoulder and grab my keys off the desk. “Tell everyone I said hi and I’ll be there next time.”

After tonight, I’ll owe it to myself to have a night out with my colleagues. We have a good relationship, professionally and personally. Aside from my kids, they are the other reason I love working here so much. You have to have fun with the people you work with. It makes it all the more enjoyable.

Denise walks with me out to the parking lot and fills me in on the latest faculty gossip of who is flirting with who. The gym teacher is the bachelor of the month. There’s a good-natured bet on which of the single members of staff will turn his head. He’s a nice enough guy, I’m just not interested—or rather, he’s not my type. I bet he’ll end up with the music teacher.

This type of small-town gossip is the kind of thing the students would take home to their parents, so instead of names, we use code words and phrases. It keeps any eavesdroppers guessing, and so far, no one has guessed correctly.

When we reach our cars, we say goodbye, and Denise promises to call me tomorrow to tell me about the events from the bar tonight. She’s always trying to be a matchmaker, so I have no doubt my phone will ring earlier than I’d like it to tomorrow. But she’s a close friend, so I don’t mind the early wake-up call on my day off.

I pull into my driveway ten minutes later and head into the house. I drop my bag on the couch and kick my shoes into the living room corner, where I’m sure to trip over them later. I’m usually not this lazy, but I’m running low on time.

The event tonight is a little-black-dress affair, so I need to spend extra time on hair and makeup. Of course, Mother would notice if I didn’t, and I’d get some not-so-nice commentary if I gave anything less than my complete effort. With that in mind, I pour myself a glass of wine to sip while I prepare for the night.

Forty-five minutes later, I’m adding the finishing touches to my lipstick when a car horn beeps outside. Obviously, my mother told the driver to honk instead of coming to the door—her way of letting me know I’m late. I take a deep breath and prepare myself for a lecture on how I should have been ready five minutes ago. I was ready five minutes ago, but instead of waiting outside, I finished my glass of wine and smudged my lipstick, and not fixing it was not an option.

My ensemble for the night is a little black off-the-shoulder dress with sequins lining the top, paired with a lace wrap that hugs my shoulders, opaque nylons, black heels to match the dress, and my hair in a French twist. Perfectly set makeup pulls the look together. A small clutch hangs off the chair, and I snatch it up and shove my lipstick into the pouch beside my phone.

Before hurrying to the town car, I grab my schoolbag full of reports. Maybe I’ll be able to sit at a corner table and grade the papers. Then I can have the rest of the weekend to myself.

Outside, the driver has the back door open for me. I expertly slide in, my knees tucked to the side to avoid showing anything. This isn’t my first rodeo in a car like this.

I open my mouth to say hello, but the words catch in my throat. Instead of my parents sitting in the seat in front of me, I find Jax—my father’s business partner and best friend. My mouth hangs open for a long moment. He looks stunning in his tuxedo. Something that sparks my interest.

He’s not like the gym teacher. He’s more like James Bond. All suave, stylish, and more handsome than he has any right to be. Downright seductive. He’s closer to my father’s age—forty-five, last I heard—but he doesn’t look it in the slightest. How have I not noticed this before? And, more importantly, why am I seeing it now?

“Good evening, Lily.” The baritone of his voice matches the image he presents. It’s another thing I hadn’t noticed until now. I like a man with a deeper voice. They can always say something, from a compliment to a suggestion, without effort.

What’s wrong with me?I probably look like a gaping idiot. Pulling myself together, I remove some book reports from my bag and then set the stack down on the seat between us. All the better to keep our distance. My heart is racing, and my breath quickens. I’m not sure I wouldn’t blush if he accidentally touched me. Space. We need space.

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