Before graduation, I’d landed in the mean girl’s bed for a round or two. What was her name? As forgettable as the sex, apparently. But I’d never forgotten Crazy J—unfortunately. And here she was.
Tulip—Tilly—gasped as her wide, steel-blue eyes took me and my surroundings in, then the camera Wes held as his traitorous friend stood with a perplexed and morbidly curious expression. She clapped her hands. “Are you one of the bachelors? Seriously?”
“Y-yes,” I stammered. Get it together, dude. This girl still left me floundering.
She shrieked a giggle and he winced. Yep, same laugh. “Looks like I know who I’m bidding on.”
My face went cold as all the blood drained from it. No. Just no. I couldn’t spend an entire week with Crazy J.
Tilly
I could so spend a week with Flynn!
Gawd. He looked better than ever like he’d just stepped out of a catalog. His face had matured from hot teen to muscular man in full possession of his smolder.
Now I knew what had possessed me that day a year ago when I’d come to Arcadia looking for some classroom items. The kids I taught didn’t learn traditionally, and graphic novels were easier and more interesting to read than standard kids’ books. Mara and I had struck up a friendship and I had kept coming back. My students loved the items I brought back to class, and I loved being able to claim a friend, albeit one kept at arm’s length.
Then I’d rattled on about my idea for a bachelor auction and Mara and her uber-sexy husband had rounded up willing participants.
It was fate. I had savings to donate but hadn’t thought of bidding—but to finally get a date with Flynn Halstengard? Heck, yeah!
My knight with platinum hair as bright as shining armor was finally attainable.
Wow. I couldn’t quit ogling him, but then I’d never thought we’d cross paths again. My line of failed relationships wasn’t his fault, of course, but I couldn’t help but wonder how the lame sex with them would compare to sex with Flynn. He had to be dynamite in bed and I could use some sparks between the sheets that didn’t include my vibrator shorting out.
My cheeks were starting to hurt from grinning. Flynn stared at me like he was dumbfounded. I had no idea why— Oh.
Of all the days. It was Wacky Monday at school and I’d done it up good. I kept a pack of men’s socks just for these days and my mom-jeans-turned-shorts were pulled up so high my nethers were numb. All sorts of buttons I’d collected over the years were pinned to my suspenders, but at least I’d left my tiara in my car. It was one of thirty. Because a girl could never have too many tiaras.
“I’m totally going to bid on you,” I burst out. How awesome. I could donate and have a chance with Flynn, too! One week with him would see me through another long summer until school started again.
“Y-you don’t have to.” Flynn’s stammer was just as adorable as I remembered.
I could’ve done without him calling me Tulip, though. He hadn’t stuttered over that. That name brought back too many memories. I even hated the flower.
His gaze swept down to my scuffed shoes and I wanted to groan, to tell him that I didn’t normally dress like this, but that would be a lie. My students responded well to my outfits so I kept up my zany appearance. Lord knew, there was no other reason in my life to dress up. Except for this Friday night. My grin broadened.
My phone pinged inside of the large Wonder Woman tote draped over my shoulder. “Oh!”
Flynn jumped, and I wanted to sigh. Why was he always so nervous around me? He had smooth-talked teachers and other students. His pals had followed his lead—he had been the jock at the head of the pack. As an adult, he probably killed it. Yet with me, he withdrew into a nervous shell.
But then, I kinda had that effect on other adults. Mara seemed genuinely entertained, and Wes was the only guy who talked to me like I was another human being and not an alien from the planet Moron. Even my students’ parents could be patronizing or dismissive. But still better than what I’d grown up with, so I couldn’t complain. No, I wouldn’t complain. I’d been given a new lease on life and I wasn’t going to squander it.
Digging my phone out, I checked the time. Yep, my alarm had gone off.
“I have a tutoring session.” I turned to Mara for a quick hug. “Thank you so much for making this happen.” Then I met Flynn’s green gaze, my kryptonite. “And I’ll see you on Friday night.”
He didn’t smile, but his eyes got wider. Wasn’t he relieved to at least know who was going to win him? Because I was so going to win him! Better me than a stranger, right?
As I walked out of the store, I pondered his reaction. He’d be okay spending the week with me, wouldn’t he? It’s not like I wanted him to profess his undying love, sweep me off my feet, and make love to me for my happily ever after.
I hadn’t dreamed that at all for the last…decade…and a half. Not at all.
Tearing my
