Page 78 of Grin and Bear It

Oh, this was going well.

“How long has this been going on?”

Shit, June was back online, and her eyes narrowed as she stared at me.

“Nothing has been going on so far,” I said, then blanched. Was Cole giving me multiple orgasms nothing? Was snuggling up to Tyson…? June caught that with the eyes of a damn shark, the woman able to spot student bullshit at twenty paces. “I was… made aware that the guys were interested in me when I was trying to help the boys. I hadn’t decided to go anywhere with it—”

“But now you are.” She frowned slightly then. “There’s no government directive against it. The twins’ guardians aren’t the boys’ parents, and as far as I know they aren’t in a relationship?” I shook my head to confirm this. “So there is nothing to stop you…”

But. A very big but was coming.

“Do you really think this is wise? Those two boys have been through a terrible loss, and from what you’re saying, they are only just coming back on track. You’re potentially going to jeopardise that and for what?”

June had stood before the lot of us when the twins were just starting school and explained their parents’ relationship dynamic to us in patient, careful words. She’d urged us to put our own thoughts and preferences aside and just treat Sharney and her guys as any other parents. One where the responsibility for the twins was shared between all of them. I’d nodded along, thinking that all made sense, admiring her ability to think of the kids, not the unconventional relationship, but right now any respect I had for her faded.

“For what?” I prompted, staring her in the eyes.

“For a relationship that is likely to draw a lot of attention, including that of other parents, let alone the students.” She sighed and then leant forward to rub at her forehead. “I know we can’t ban you from seeing these men—”

“Pretty sure that’s where this conversation needs to end,” I said, getting to my feet. “I abide by the rules of personal conduct the department supplies. As a rule, I don’t bring my personal stuff to school. I had no idea the guys would pop in like this and I’ll have words with them about doing it again, but beyond that…”

Her words stung, like they always did. I wanted to please her, make her happy, so she’d finally step up and make me a permanent staff member, but that wasn’t happening now.

“My personal life is just that: personal. Thanks for the chat, June.”

She stared at me, open-mouthed, as I got to my feet and walked out the door.

“Ellie!”Kirstie, the office receptionist, called out to me as I went past. I slowed my steps then blinked as she rushed over with a smile. “You nearly forgot your flowers. They are just gorgeous and…” She pointed to a piece of white paper tucked away in the myriad of blooms. “There’s a card in there.”

“Thanks, Kirstie,” I said, taking the bouquet and hefting it in my arms. Nash had bought half a damn flower shop it seemed and part of me was wondering how I’d navigate the corridors with this in hand.

And the other half was just pleased he had.

I liked flowers fine, but it was the thought behind it that got to me. He’d interrupted the humdrum everyday bullshit for this. To get me something pretty, to make a gesture. My phone buzzed and I saw I had a message from him.

Sorry. Let me make it up to you.

Were there any sexier words in the English language? I just stared at it for a second, smiling despite myself before tapping out a response.

Yes.

Kirstie caught all of it, of course.

“Seems like those boys are pretty smitten with you,” she said in a gentle voice. “Don’t let the Dragon Lady have you turning your back on something that could make you happy.”

I nodded then, feeling a rush of certainty before returning her smile.

“I won’t.”

But then the bell went and I was forced to rush back upstairs as kids swarmed everywhere.

“Missss…!”one of the girls, Tash, cried as she spied the flowers. “Damn, what’d he do?”

“Tash!” I spluttered.

“Mum always says the bigger the bunch of flowers, the bigger the fu— mistake,” she finished hastily. “So did you catch him on Snapchat with some girl?”

“Ah, no—”

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