Page 58 of A Little Twist

Britt

Do this.

A link lights up on my phone for an accelerated certification program at the community college in Ridgeland.

I tap the link and quickly navigate to the tuition page.

It’s still a lot of money.

Britt

You might get a tuition waiver. Need-based, rural community…

You think?

Britt

I do, and you’re great with kids.

My chest rises, and I feel more in control of my life already. I could actually do this.

Thanks, Britt.

Britt

NP! I want you teaching my kids!

I imagine her smiling up at me like the bright blonde ray of sunshine she is, and a smile lifts my cheeks. My eyes heat with tears, like a sentimental goose, but I’m really fucking happy.

It’s a real path that won’t take a million years or cost a million dollars—and I like it a lot! Teaching kindergarten would be the sweetest thing. Of course, it would have its challenges like anything else, but it’s just what I want.

Tapping on the link, I quickly fill out the application for enrollment. Then I open my email program and begin brainstorming a letter to the school. I’ll get Britt to help me with it.

The end of the month doesn’t feel so bleak anymore, and it’s like a weight off my shoulders. I do a little dance around the apartment, Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” playing in my head, before pulling on a sleep shirt.

Shuffling over to my desk, I plug the charging cord into my laptop, and my eyes fall on the angel ring sitting in a small dish. I scoop it up and slip it on my finger, holding out my hand to admire it before crawling into bed and tucking it under my chin.

A woman with a future doesn’t need silly schemes to make herself valuable. But it doesn’t mean I don’t like wearing his ring.

A woman with a future can also be a little naughty, because nothing is sexier than a woman who knows what she wants.

CHAPTER17

ALEX

If there’s one thing I know, it’s women are not like distilling the perfect bourbon. You can’t simply do the steps, follow the established rules, and achieve the desired outcome.

For example, I got one of the worst night’s sleep of my life last night worrying I’d made a critical error with Cass.

Granted, it’s an error I’d like to make again and again, and she seemed very willing in the moment. Hell, she seemed to be enjoying herself as much as I was. I know for a fact she came twice—I was counting.

I wanted to do more, but the way she practically ran from my bedroom had my head spinning. What went wrong?

Consent is very important to me, and I asked her plainly if she wanted to do it. I don’t know why she went from hot to cold so fast. Did I let her down somehow?

For the next seven hours, I tossed and turned rehashing every word I’d said and searching for my mistake. Not finding it, I spent the next hour preparing my apology.

Now, I’m here, all ready to fall on my sword when she bounces into the kitchen smiling and even giving me a little wink as she pours her coffee.

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