“We were honest and that’s all we can do. Now, it’s a waiting game,” he said.
Asher wrapped an arm around my shoulders as we walked outside. “Your ex is a dick, though.”
Higgins chortled. “He’s right, Faith.”
I sighed, leaning against Asher. “Yeah, he really is.”
We parted, said our goodbyes, and headed home. The hard part, for us, was over. Now we had to pray and hope for the best.
Morning meeting was my favorite time of the day. I was able to sit back and connect with my students on a personal level. We would chat about current events and their feelings. It really helped get the students in a positive mood before starting their academics.
“Ms. Reed, when is Rosie coming back?” one of my students asked, his eyes shone with concern.
“Should be soon.” I sniffed.
“Can we do something for her?” another kid asked.
I grinned, and clasped my hands together. “That’s a great idea! What do you think we should do?”
“Oh, I know! Let’s make her get well cards!”
“I love that. We can say sweet messages like, we can’t wait until you’re back or we miss you so much!” I got up and wrote our new task on the dry-erase daily to-do board in our classroom.
“When can we start?”
I put the cap back on the marker and checked the time. We should’ve ended our morning meeting five minutes ago. “After gym, before lunch. Let’s get back to our seats and start our poetry unit!” I smiled brightly.
The morning passed without any mishaps and the students were attentive. They seemed to enjoy poetry almost as much as I did. I led them down the hall and to the gymnasium in record time. Asher was already waiting on us with the door open.
“Welcome back! Go inside and pick a partner.” He held the door as they ran into the gym, excited voices shouting about who their partner would be.
One student, Richie, stayed behind and smiled up at Asher. “Ms. Reed said we can all make Rosie cards so she can feel better!”
The corner of his mouth lifted upward. “Did she now?”
He nodded. “Can you make her one too?”
He patted his shoulder. “Of course I can, bud. Go on in and grab a partner.”
I sucked my bottom lip in. “You are too good with kids.”
He shrugged. “I’d make a fabulous father.”
“Yeah, you really would.” I ducked my head down to hide the blush I’m sure was forming on my cheeks.
“Maybe you’ll make me one soon.”
My head shot up and he winked before he strode into the gym. His voice bounced off the walls as he listed off the instructions for the day.
I shook my head with a smile. We could be a family someday. With that, I went back to my room and started tweaking my lesson plan for the next class.
As I was fiddling with my projector, Linda walked in. I felt myself physically deflate at her presence and wondered if she knew the effect she had on people.
“How is that girl?” She stood with her hands on her hips, scrutinizing me with her gaze.
I sighed, finally getting the right power-point on the board. “I’m not telling you anything, Linda. Please, stop asking.”
She huffed, glancing down at her nails. “I figured that much. Anyway, the real reason I’m here is to be a good friend.”
I refrained from rolling my eyes. “Oh yeah?”
She nodded with a broad smile. “I’m seeing Preston!”
My breath caught in my throat and I coughed. “Preston?”
“Yeah, your ex-fiance. He’s wild, I don’t know how you let that man go.” She winked. “But, I guess you did me a favor.”
I licked my chapped lips as I grabbed my purse. “You know he cheated on me right? I just don't want you to be blindsided.” I dug through my belongings and pulled out a tube of chapstick.
She let her mouth fall open before gasping. “You’re jealous? Faith, I only told you to be a good friend.”
I smeared the chapstick on my lips before I dropped it back in my purse and put it under my desk. I pressed my lips into a fine line. “You guys are perfect for each other.”
“Yeah, we absolutely are.” She smirked before she skipped out of my classroom.
I blinked a few times as I tried to gauge her intentions before deciding it wasn’t worth my time to worry about her. I took the time to focus on preparing my next lesson.
Asher and Luca were lounging on the sofa. Hot-wings, cheesy bread, and pizza littered the coffee table as the football game played on the big-screen TV. They were both shirtless and wore gray sweatpants. Asher looked sexy as hell and I wanted to jump him, but Luca made me want to wrap a sheet around him. In his defense, it’s because he’s family. I’m sure Mags would lose her marbles once she got here and saw him.
I smoothed my cotton dress down as I stepped into my ankle boots. “Mags will be here any minute. You guys good?”
Asher’s eyes scanned over me lazily before he gave me a lopsided grin. “You look gorgeous. We’re set for the night. Go have fun with the girls.”
I smiled and walked over to the sofa. “Eve is meeting us there.” I bent down and kissed him.
“Ew, that’s my cousin.” Luca gagged.
I flipped him off and kissed Asher one more time before the doorbell rang.
“I love you, be safe. Call me if you need me to kill anyone!” Asher called as I roamed over to the door and opened it.
Mags pulled me into a bone-crushing hug before peeking her head in. “Bye!” she called to them before she linked our arms and slammed the front door.
“Luca looks delicious in those sweats.” She threw her head back and groaned. “Too bad he’s such a dick.”
I shook my head and got into the passenger side of her car. “What’s going on with you two?”
She shrugged. “Has Eve
