Page 21 of The Lake House

As I pull the front door open, a woman with long blonde hair slams into me. She’s fairly short, reaching only halfway up my chest, but when her blue eyes meet with mine, I realize I recognize her.

“Cindy?”

“Declan, hi,” she smiles at me as she pulls back. Behind her, her daughter stands close. “So nice seeing you again.” She’s smiling wider now.

“Yeah,” I say, pausing. Then I add, “Look, I just came to pick up Lily.” I come off a little dickish, but I really just want to go inside and get my daughter. Instantly, I feel bad for coming off the way I had. “Damn, I’m sorry. I’m just late.”

She shakes her head. “Right, of course. Sorry, let me let you get going. I’ll see you soon,” she says, grabbing her daughter’s hand and running past me.

Ugh. I’m an ass. “Sorry, Cindy. See you… soon.” I know she didn’t hear me; she’s already halfway down the block.

I put my head down and march my way inside the blue and pink hallway, decorated with drawings created by the kids. Right where the wall meets the ceiling, a strip with the alphabet followed by the numbers line the hallways.

“Daddy!”

“Hey, sweetheart!” I bend, lifting my daughter into my arms. She hugs me tightly.

“She was so good today,” Ms. Nicki, one teacher, says. She’s blonde with deep blue eyes, and not for nothing, but she’s got the body of a Victoria’s Secret model. It’s hard not to notice her tight T-shirts with the school’s logo stretched out across her enormous chest and her yoga pants hugging her ass nicely.

“So good,” repeats Ms. Kristen, another teacher. She, on the other hand, is a redhead, and more heavyset. Not saying she’s not attractive. I don’t mind a woman with curves at all.

Giuliana pops into my mind with all her curves. Ugh… That woman has been on my mind so much lately. It kills me that I can’t even talk to her.

The other teacher, Ms. Laura, watches the two of them and shakes her head. I guess she’s the oldest of the three, all of them under forty, but she appears to be the only one married, rocking a large bridal set on the fourth finger of her left hand.

I look from one to the other and both of them are staring at me, while the rest of the kids in the room are running around, playing with toys, coloring or reading.

It’s kind of funny because every time I come in to pick up Lily, they’re always telling me how great she was and they all stop what they’re doing to watch me with her.

“That’s great to hear… as always,” I reply, placing Lily down. “Sweetheart, why don’t you get your things so we can get going? We’re having dinner at Auntie Cheryl’s tonight.”

“Yay!” Lily says, running off to grab her things.

She loves my sister, Cheryl. She usually has us over for dinner once a week or so. She’s three years younger than me and lives on her own, even though she does have a boyfriend who treats her well. Good, because I would not want to have to break his legs.

I watch Lily as she runs off, but I can feel the weight of Ms. Nicki and Ms. Kristen’s stares on me.

“So, we’re having their ceremony next week,” Ms. Nicki says, bringing my gaze over to her.

I raise an eyebrow.

“Yes, Mr. Bell. Their pre-k ceremony is next Wednesday at 6 p.m.,” Ms. Kristen adds to the other teacher’s comment.

Crap, I had almost forgotten all about it. I’ll have to let my mother, sister, Roger and Rachel know to come see her.

“She’s been practicing really hard. All the children have,” Ms. Kristen states, stepping closer to me.

I inch a step back, letting my weight shift onto my left leg. “Right, the ceremony, of course. Sounds great.”

Ms. Nicki pushes two strands of blonde hair out of her eyes. “You will be there, won’t you?” She steps forward two steps, her chest bouncing. If she gets any closer, she’s going to hit me with those things.

“Ms. Nicki, please see about getting Lindsay and Carson ready. Their Moms are pulling up now. Ms. Kristen, you can go with her,” Ms. Laura intervenes, pushing off the windowsill. She must have sensed the same thing I was.

Ms. Nicki and Ms. Kristen look annoyed as they walk away.

I mouth the words thank you to Ms. Laura, and she just nods at me.

“I’m ready, Daddy!” my princess says as she charges toward me at full speed.

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