Kylee had never walked around as though she had a crown on her head. But after a few years with Jason she’d felt the crown of her head sinking down, and further down into her chest as though her head weighed a ton. It was only in these last few months since the divorce that Kylee had felt a lessening on her shoulders. Her head was nearly back centered between her shoulder blades.
Molly’s sparkle told Kylee the little girl was up to something. But what? Kylee had caught her daughter straightening up the living room earlier. It was like pulling teeth to get Molly to do chores. For some reason Molly had done a chore she hadn’t been asked to do?
Yes, there was definitely something going on. Maybe she’d gotten into trouble again and suspected Ron would give Kylee the full report tonight? Yes, that had to be it. Before Kylee could start her interrogation, the smoke alarm beat her to it.
Kylee took a deep inhale. The acrid smell of burning food charged into her nostrils. The alarm screamed again demanding attention. Another sound joined the chorus. It was the doorbell.
Kylee looked to Molly. Molly’s aghast look was even more pronounced on her round face. In her daughter’s eyes, Kylee saw her own mortification.
In unison, they looked at the front door. Then towards the kitchen. Then back to each other.
“You get the door,” said Kylee. “I’ll get the food.”
Kylee dashed off to the kitchen. When she entered, it was too late. The lives of the vegetables were already lost. The pan too, as the greens were now black and putrified in their so-called stainless steel coffin.
“I just remembered,” said a deep, male voice from behind her, “Home Economics is the only class you ever failed.”
“I didn’t fail,” Kylee insisted. “I got a B.”
“Only because I was your partner and my A carried you through.”
Ron stepped in front of Kylee. He shoved his hand into a pink oven mitt and grabbed the handle of the pan. Moving quickly, he doused the fiery fare in the sink by turning the faucet on full blast.
With the pan contained, Ron returned to the scene of the crime to look for other victims. He turned the oven off where the chicken tenders weren’t doing too bad. Frozen dinners that just needed reheating, Kylee could handle. But anything fresh from the ground or the slaughterhouse typically ended up wishing it had been buried six feet under than in her kitchen.
Ron turned to her with a raised eyebrow, a look of admonishment on his face. Kylee couldn’t feel chagrined. She was too busy trying to manage the onset of lightheadedness. Not from the smell of smoke. It was from the smell of him.
The spicy smell of Ron cut through the burnt smell of the drenched veggies. Had his jawline always been that sharp? She wondered what the flesh under his chin tasted like? Ron glanced down at her lips as though he were ready to let her nibble.
Kylee jerked her gaze away. What was wrong with her? Ron was her friend. He’d once been her best friend. And she’d just sized him up like he was dinner.
“I’m so sorry dinner’s ruined,” she said.
“Of course, it’s not. I was a Boy Scout, remember.”
Kylee glanced behind him at the sink of burnt food. She had no hope anything could be saved. Nothing good to eat was coming out of that fire.
“I came prepared.” Ron pointed to the takeout cartons sitting on the breakfast table. He must have deposited them there just before he came to her rescue.
“Really?”
“Really,” he snorted. “Don’t forget, I know you.”
Why did that statement make Kylee feel all warm and tingly inside? But not just warm, also cozy, like she wanted to curl up with Ron on the couch and watch old episodes of Saved by the Bell like when they were kids. But this time with a glass of champagne paired with takeout.
She shook herself. That was not what tonight was about. They would be catching up, and then she’d planned to work in a pitch for Thrive. There would be no cozying and no more tingling. Luckily, there would be a buffer between Ron, Kylee, and Kylee’s confusing feelings towards her old bestie.
“Molly,” Kylee called. “Dinner’s ready.”
“I’m going to April Tanner’s house down the street,” said Molly, poking her head into the kitchen but not crossing the threshold into what was still a disaster area. “She asked me over to dinner.”
“What?” said Kylee. “You didn’t tell me this?”
“You wanted me to start making friends. I made a friend. She invited me to dinner.”
“You remember the Tanners?” said Ron. “Jessie, the track star was their son. April is Jessie’s daughter. She’s a good kid.”
“See,” said Molly. But her smile was too broad, her eyes too filled with sparkles as she looked from Ron to Kylee. “I’m just down the street and I’ll be back before bedtime.”
Before Kylee could think of a protest, her little girl turned on her heel. She was out the door just as Kylee regained her wits. Kylee turned back to Ron who was moving the take-out to the living room and out of the danger zone.
“I think my kid is trying to set us up,” Kylee said trailing him.
Her back was to Ron as she spoke. She expected him to chuckle. Or to shoot down the idea. Or maybe, possibly, to confirm it might be something worth considering.
Ron said nothing.
Kylee sat in the corner of the sofa. It was the same couch from their youth. Though the television was no longer a box. Her dad had upgraded to a flat screen at some point in the last decade.
“Ron? Did you hear what I said?”
“About Molly? Yeah.”
“It’s ridiculous… isn’t it?”
Ron shrugged. “It’s actually quite common.”
What was that Mr. Hot Commodity? Was this some new conceited side of her old bestie? Or had the smoke gone to Ron’s head?
“Kids often do that with an authority figure,” he continued. “She’ll come to terms with us just being friends soon.”
He sat down in the center of the couch, which had always been his spot. Ron turned to her, offering her a smile and some chopsticks. Familiarity and duck sauce washed over the mild attraction she thought she’d been feeling.
“Thanks, Ron.”
“Anytime. That’s what friends are for.”
Chapter Ten
“Ouch.”
“You okay?” Kylee looked up from her chicken and fried rice.
“Yeah,” said Ron. “Just bit my tongue.” Again.
It was the third time he’d bitten his tongue since they’d sat down to eat. He couldn’t believe what he’d said to her before they’d dug into the take out. How had he let his big mouth tell the woman of his dreams that he wasn’t interested in dating her? It was a lie and so his mouth was obviously attacking him to force out the words he truly wanted to say.
Kylee, I’ve loved you since the third grade.
Kylee, I should’ve come after you when you ran off with that jerk.
Kylee, I want to kiss you now and never let you go.
But he couldn’t say any of that. Not because it was against the rules, but because of the perception. Ron had looked through the rule books. He’d spent the afternoon pouring over administration policy and procedures, and he’d found nothing.
There was no specific rule about teachers or administrators dating a parent. It was definitely frowned upon because of the liability issues and, again, the perception issue. Earlier today, Kylee had thrown on top of that pile, favoritism. Or could it be nepotism since they’d been like family most of their lives? Was there a word for showing preferential treatment to the woman you were in love with? Whatever the word, Ron knew he’d be called on it and any perceived advantage he might give Kylee could negatively affect his job.
What a mess.
Ron had taken a look at Thrive Learning Systems after the faculty meeting. Not because he had been cyberstalking Kylee. It was research for the good of the school. What he’d found just on the website had piqued his interest in the company.
He’d considered reaching out to them on his own. But now that Kylee was a part of the deal, and she had personally asked him for his consideration, he was firmly in Thrive’s corner. She didn’t have to give her presentation to ensure she had his vote. The woman already had his heart.
“Moo Shu?”
“Beg your pardon?” Ron looked up to see Kylee offering him some of the dish. “No, thanks, I’m full.”
She snorted as she dropped the piece of food back in its carton. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard those words come out of your mouth.”
“I’ve gotta keep fit.” Ron patted his firm stomach.
“Right, Mr. Hot Commodity. For all those hopeful moms.”
Ron chewed at his lower lip, but the words came out anyway. “I’m not dating anyone right now.”
“Me either.”
They stared at each other for a second. Ron opened his mouth to speak then closed it. Kylee opened her mouth and then closed it. They both turned back to their plates.
Ron grabbed the morsel from the cartoon and shoved it in his mouth. He needed something to keep him quiet or he’d suggest a solution to their dating problem.
“Why aren’t you dating?” Kylee said. “Are you coming out of a long, tormented relationship that made you doubt your faith in the opposite sex, too?”
There was a self-deprecating smile on her lips. But it wavered when her glance met his. Ron had trouble swallowing past the lump that formed in his throat.
“Ky? Did he..?”
“Did Jason what?”
Ron couldn’t form the words. He took in a deep breath. Then he clenched his fists. Just the mere thought of any harm coming to this beautiful, precious woman had him seeing red.
“Did Jason beat me? God, no. Emotional abuse, sure. Infidelity, probably more than I know about. But no, he never raised his hand to me or Molly. He wasn’t around enough to even consider it.”
Ron held her gaze. There was so much pain there. Guilt washed over him. “I’m sorry, Ky.”
“What are you sorry for? You didn’t marry him.”
“No, but I should’ve stopped you from marrying him.”
“Ron, that’s ridiculous. My mind was made up.” She crossed her arms over herself and leaned away slightly, as though protecting herself from the memory. “I was wrong, of course. But there was nothing you could’ve said to change my mind back then. I thought I had all the answers.”
Ron placed his arm along the back of the couch. It wasn’t an embrace, but it was the closest he could come to it. “I should’ve kidnapped you or something.”
Kylee threw her head back and laughed.
“What’s so funny? I could’ve done it.”
“Whatever.” She clucked her tongue. “You were skin and bones back then. Barely a hundred pounds.”
“What? I wouldn’t have been able to physically accost you? Are you saying you could’ve taken me.”
“I could take you now.” She gave him a playful shove.
“In your dreams, Bauer.” He shoved back.
Kylee gasped, as though affronted. But her eyes sparkled as she did so. “Oh, it’s on, Kidd. You want some of this.”
She rose to her knees on the couch and shoved at his shoulders. Ron easily deflected her jabs. He landed some playful taps of his own on her shoulders and forearms.
“Woman, do you see these muscles?” He got a jab into her belly that had her double over with laughter. “They weigh a hundred pounds each.”
“No, that’s your ego giving off all that weight.”
She straightened and gave him another punch. She’d put a little more momentum behind it and she fell forward. Ron caught her in his lap.
His arms came well and truly around her this time. She was cradled in his lap as though she were a damsel and he’d just lifted her from danger into the safety of his hold. Her head tilted back as she gazed up at him.
They’d play fought like this before. As kids. They were grown now. Kylee was all grown woman with curves and humps and bumps. And holy heaven did she smell good with the sweetness of duck sauce and the tang of soy sauce coming from the long sigh that escaped her lips. Could that be the smoke from the kitchen fire going to his head?
No. It was Ron’s long-held, tightly pent-up desire for the woman he currently held in his arms. She felt so right here.
“Ouch.” Kylee grimaced.
“What’s wrong?”
“I think my hair is stuck to something.”
Ron lifted the arm cradling her only to find his metallic watchband had caught in her tresses. “Hold still.”
Ron slowly worked the strands of her hair out of the links of his watch. The maneuver brought their heads closer together. He felt her breath on his cheek. He ached to taste the sweetness of her lower lip. With her hair free, Ron set his watch on the coffee table.
Kylee shifted and Ron helped her up. She took her time righting herself. Ron took his time relinquishing his hold on her.
They sat side-by-side in silence for a moment. Their cartons were empty. But the air was filled with palpable energy.
“If I had it all to do again,” he said. “I would’ve used all my strength to lock you away until you realized that you deserved better than him.”
Kylee gave him a small smile, but sadness pulled at the corner of her eyes. “It’s in the past.”
“Yes, it is. This is the present. I was weak then.”
“And, what?” Her smile broadened. “Now you’re strong. Those are the lyrics to a song.”
“Yes, I am. I am strong now.”
Her smile faltered as she gazed at him. “And if I tried to date another jerk?”
“He’d have to get past me first.”
Ron watched her swallow. Her lips were right there for the taking. She wasn’t pulling away from him. No, she was leaning towards him. His dream was just an inch away from him. All he needed to do was reach out and take it.
It was happening. It was happening just like he’d dreamed of as a kid sitting on this very couch with her. It was happening just like he’d planned after she walked back into his life the other day and he’d begun daydreaming again. Funnily enough, his adult plans still had this scene taking place on this same couch.
They’d be eating take-out. He’d turn to her and tell her how he felt. Then she’d lean in and tell him she felt the same way. They’d get closer and closer until their lips met.
They were getting closer now. Her gaze had dipped to his mouth. It was all coming together… except for the wailing saxophone that suddenly blared from the other room. And had the lights just dimmed down low on their own?
Kylee shut her eyes and groaned. “It’s Molly.”
Kylee pulled away from Ron and stood. She went into the other room; the sunroom just off the kitchen which had been turned into a library complete with a stereo system. Ron saw Molly’s coat on the office chair, but the girl was nowhere in sight. How long had she been back?
“I’m sorry.” Kylee turned off the sappy sax music with a flick of a button. “Like I said, Molly’s decided I should date you. And, like I said, it’s ridiculous.”
Ron took a deep breath. Instead of holding back, he let his tongue run free and speak for his heart. “It’s really not that ridiculous.”
Chapter Eleven
“That’s not any kind of a test question I’ve ever seen.”
Kylee looked down at her pad of paper. Instead of the bubbles of multiple-choice questions or the straight lines of fill-in-the-blank answers, she’d drawn a series of hearts and pointy arrows. Ron’s name was filled in on a couple of the arrow shafts.
She turned the paper over and looked up to address Anthony. His man bun looked particularly tight today. As usual, he wasn’t looking at her. His gaze was glued to his handheld device.
Kylee wasn’t sure if it was a phone or a tablet or something in between. It was larger than his palm. But she’d seen him hold it up to his ear and talk. His thumbs moved at a rapid clip as he spoke to her.<
br />
“I hear you landed a pitch meeting at Barton Elementary School.”
“Yes,” said Kylee, straightening her array of number two pencils. Her cell phone, an Android that was five years old, sat quietly next to the pencil holder on mute. “I know the principal there. He and I, we… We’re…”
She didn’t know what they were? Last night at dinner, Ron had opened a door she’d never known was there. A door where they could be more than friends. Kylee was curious to poke her head inside the crack of this just barely opened door and see where it might lead.
“You got the deal.” Anthony tapped his thumb a number of times in one spot. Then he pressed his index finger down, paused, and swiped right. “Good for you. Now you just have to close it.”
“Oh, there’s no guarantee they’ll choose us. Ron, I mean Principal Kidd, has always been very fair in things like this. He’s the type of guy who’ll weigh all the options and pick the best one regardless of personal feelings.”
Anthony’s fingers paused and he looked up. It was the first time Kylee had seen his eyes. They were a shocking shade of blue. That, with his dark hair, made him quite handsome. If he ever took the time to look a woman in her eyes, she’d likely fall hopelessly in love with the color alone.
“You call him Ron?” said Anthony.
“I… uh, yeah. We’re… friends.”
Friends seemed the safe word to Kylee. It was also the most-true word. They hadn’t gone through the door from friends to… more. Ron had just put it out there. He hadn’t pressed. That wasn’t his way. She’d always admired that about him.
Ron was the best listener she knew. He was the most level-headed person she knew. He was the fairest, most balanced person she knew.
She’d known all these facts when they were kids and he’d urged her not to run off with Jason. He’d warned her that it would ruin her life. It was the one and only time they’d argued outside of a class assignment. Ron had made a level-headed assessment of the decision that Kylee was making and called foul.
The Princess and the Principal: a Sweet Royal Romance (The Rebel Royals Series Book 5) Page 5