It was a struggle to not mess up her mascara with tears. Kylee pulled her daughter to her again. Even firmer this time. It took a long while before Kylee released Molly to take her place in the bathroom.
Coming down the stairs was like stepping into a war zone. Clothes were strewn around. Half eaten take-out food was spilling out of containers and onto the coffee table. Jason was asleep in front of the television, which was turned on at full blast, and he was in his boxers.
This was why she’d gotten divorced. The youngest person in the house was the most grown of the three. Kylee was putting a stop to this now. There was money burning a hole in her purse. But she didn’t pull it out.
“Jason, get up.” Kylee kicked at the base of the couch. She was very proud that she didn’t kick his bare foot that was dangling off the cushions.
“It’s seven in the morning.” He groaned and turned over.
“Exactly. It’s time for you to get up and get out of here. You are not my responsibility anymore. Do you hear me?” She gave another firm kick to the base of the couch, just narrowly missing his toes.
Jason looked up at her frowning. “Fine, I’ll go. Just loan me some cash.”
“Nope. Not gonna happen. The money I make is for me and Molly.”
He sat up now, complete indignation in his face as though she’d just taken his favorite toy away. “What am I supposed to do?”
“You need to get yourself together. Or not. Your success or failure is on you. Not me.”
“Fine. I’ll be out of here tonight.”
“No. Now.”
Sixty minutes later, Kylee turned off the exit that would take her to work. Now that Jason’s motorcycle tail lights were headed south, she could set everything on track again.
She was running late to work. But it was going to be her last day on the job. So, it didn’t really matter.
She couldn’t stay after the scene yesterday. As she walked into the office, she noticed people staring at her from beneath their lashes. A few gaped openly. She heard the whispers that included her name. And, of course, some spoke at full volume.
Kylee marched right up to Syd Rowen’s office. Before knocking on his door, she turned and faced the crowd. She was not surprised to find they all were staring openly behind her back.
“For what it’s worth,” she began, “I didn’t date Ron Kidd to get ahead. I didn’t want to date anyone at all. But when a man like him, who is so incredible, comes into your life - back into your life, and he checks all your boxes and fills in every one of you blanks, you’d be stupid not to grab hold with both hands and pencil him into your life forever. And if I am lucky enough for him to give me a retake, that’s what I’m going to do.”
With her speech done, Kylee turned back to her boss’ office to find the door open and Mr. Rowen staring down at her. Kylee handed him the letter she’d prepared last night.
“What’s this?” Mr. Rowen asked.
“My letter of resignation. We lost the Barton account because of me. I take full responsibility for my actions.”
“As you should. We won the account and I was told it was a direct result of your work.”
“Mine? Me?”
“Seems the lessons you presented, the questions you crafted, and the process you created was the best. It looks like you were able to find the angle the teachers were looking for.”
“The angle?” Kylee asked.
Mr. Rowen nodded, pride in his eyes. “We’ve been asked to give a presentation to the whole school this afternoon. Get ready. We’re going to be late. When we get back, we’ll talk about your future here.”
Mr. Rowen took the letter from her and tore it into bits. Behind her, a slow, gulf clap broke out. It got louder and louder.
Kylee turned to see the appreciative gazes of her coworkers. Not one person looked at her as though there was a scarlet letter on her chest. The whispers continued, but Kylee picked out words like she’s lucky, she’s smart. Not a hint of scandal was uttered. But there was only one thing that rang through her ears.
Ron. Ron had chosen her. Did this mean there was a chance for them?
Chapter Twenty
Ron pulled a whiteboard onto the stage in preparation for the school assembly. On one side of the board there hung a tacked-on banner that read “Welcome Thrive Learning Systems.”
“I have to admit, this plan, these materials, look good,” said Mrs. Steen as she looked over the more extensive packet that Thrive Learning Systems had delivered this morning. “I think your little girlfriend is just what we need to succeed on the standardized tests.”
Ron didn’t open his mouth to correct her. He hoped it wasn’t too late to stamp that label on Kylee. He’d opted to make her test prep system an integral part of the school. It was a no-brainer. Her methods were the best option. For his heart, she was the only option. He just needed to let her know that.
He’d have his chance today. Thrive should be here any moment to give a presentation to the assembled school. Ron knew he couldn’t talk to Kylee before the presentation. He had a plan that wouldn’t require him to wait much longer after she was done.
It was nearly show time. Everything was in place on stage. The students were filing into the auditorium and taking their seats. All that was needed was the woman of the hour.
Ron didn’t see her enter the auditorium. But he knew the moment she stepped onto the stage. The air changed and became electric. His pulse sped up ahead of his heart. His palms itched to be full of her. But he waited. He had a plan.
Syd Rowen took the stage coming to stand in front of the whiteboard Ron had pulled behind the podium. The youthful-looking gray-haired man could’ve stood in for Ron’s older brother. “Thank you for having us.”
The man launched into an age-appropriate speech about his taking tests in his youth. His antics and animated delivery had the kids giggling and actually listening. Rowen clearly understood his audience, and Ron felt even more certain that he’d made the right decision to put all his eggs in the Thrive basket.
As Rowen went on, he lost Ron’s attention. Ron turned to a figure just off the stage, standing behind the curtain. Kylee was looking down at her notes. Ron knew from their youth that she didn’t like speaking off the cuff. He knew she’d have her remarks prepared, not leaving anything to chance. That was his Kylee.
His Kylee.
When her gaze lifted, it found his immediately. He knew that, even through the crowded room, she’d seen him because she took a deep inhale. Ron watched as her shoulders rose. The movement accentuated her collarbones and Ron’s mouth watered.
He hoped their silent communication was working today. He squinted his eyes, trying to let her know that he was sorry for his actions in her office. He’d been out of line and inappropriate to bring personal matters into a professional environment.
Kylee tilted her head to the side. In his heart, Ron was certain the movement was meant to tell him that he was forgiven, and also to ask for his apology for the debacle with her ex.
Ron nodded, eager to let her know that her apology wasn’t needed. He needed Kylee to know that there was a blank space in his life, and she was the only answer to that particular question. He was certain she got his answer when she smiled back at him.
At this point, Ron was tired of the muted gulf between them. He wanted to use words, he wanted to use his hands, he wanted to use his lips. But there was a room of children between them, and Kylee was now being called to the podium.
Her boss said her name. When she didn’t respond, because all of her focus was on Ron, Rowen repeated her name again. Kylee tore her gaze away from Ron and stepped up to the podium.
“It’s all right to make mistakes,” she said, not looking at her notes. “It’s how we learn. A test should teach you something. That’s the way I’ve designed these lessons for you guys. Would you like to see?”
The children gave a rousing chorus of agreement. Kylee turned to the whiteboard behind her. Instead of untacking the we
lcome sign, she turned the board around to the blank side. A chorus of giggles rose up at what was on the board.
Ron + Kylee = Forever was written in colorful dry erase marker.
Ron caught a few adult gazes go to Molly. Though the little girl had been a mischief maker in her first few weeks here, the kid’s gaze was all innocence. Ron could attest that this time it wasn’t her fault.
“Try the eraser,” Ron called out as he walked toward the stage.
Kylee did. But instead of erasing the equation, the eraser put purple sparkles over the solved problem. Finally, Kylee put the eraser down and simply gazed at the writing on the board.
“I think this is permanent marker,” said Kylee as Ron joined her on stage. Her voice carried in the microphone she still held in one hand.
“It is permanent,” said Ron. “And you just sprinkled it with fairy dust which seals the deal.”
Kylee’s lips parted, but no words left her mouth. A single tear left her right eyelid and Ron caught it with his thumb. She blinked, looking up at him as though he were the answer to a problem that had challenged her for a while.
“Did I get the math right?” Ron asked.
“Yes,” Kylee nodded. “You got the correct answer.”
“I’d kiss you now, but we have an audience full of impressionable kids.”
“It’s a lesson they need to learn,” shouted Mr. Rowen from the side of the stage. Beside him, Mrs. Steen dabbed at her eyes and shrugged, as though giving them permission.
Their encouragement was joined by the kids in the audience. For the first time in his life, Ron bowed to peer pressure and kissed the woman he planned to spend the rest of his life with in front of everyone that mattered to him. The sigh Kylee made against his lips was the bonus that told him he’d aced this final exam.
Epilogue
Molly grinned as she stared up at her mom and her soon to be step-dad. On their way out of the school auditorium, the kids had applauded, giggled, ew’d and ah’d as her mom and Principal Kidd pressed their lips together.
Molly hadn’t applauded. She’d sat back with her arms crossed over her chest. A self-satisfied grin spread across her face at her handiwork. The same smile spread across her face as she sat across from the two lovebirds in the booth.
Principal Kidd placed a paper crown on her mom’s head. He spent a few moments adjusting it to make sure it sat just so. Then he bent his head and kissed her again. If this were a cartoon, Molly was sure there would be blue birds and red hearts floating between them.
“Wow,” Molly said. “That wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.”
“What do you mean?” said her mother without looking at her
“Nothing,” Molly said as she straighten the crown on her own head, then dug into the taco on her plate.
A bell chimed over the door of Buster and Eden’s. There had been tons of chatter in the place in the late afternoon. Now it went silent. Everyone’s gazes were on the couple framing the doorway.
“Didn’t I tell you I’d take you places, my darling baker.” A tall, dark haired man wrapped an arm around a blonde woman. The blonde appeared to pay the man no mind. Her gaze was on the taco bar. “They say this place has the best tacos in the entire kingdom. But I’ll let you be the judge of that, Jan dear.”
Molly crunched on her taco as she watched Ms. Eden make her way from the back of the restaurant to the couple. The older woman beamed as she bent into an awkward curtsey. That’s when Molly recognized the man.
“Prince Alexander, what an honor.”
“No, none of that,” said the prince. “We’re here to be served like any of your customers.”
The blonde beside him rolled her eyes as the two followed Ms. Eden to the booth next to Molly’s. As he sat, the prince looked over at her.
“That looks delicious,” he said, eyeing her taco.
Molly knew better than to speak with her mouth full, so she gave the prince an enthusiastic nod.
The prince chuckled as salsa dribbled down Molly’s chin. Then his focus went to Molly’s mom. His gaze narrowed as he did so. “You look familiar.”
Kylee averted her gaze and shrugged.
Molly, who had finished her bite, decided to answer. “I think we’re cousins?”
The prince looked between the two. When his gaze slid back to Kylee, his eyes sparkled. “I see it now. You’re my cousin Edvard’s daughter.”
“You knew my dad?”
“Not the man, but his deeds,” Prince Alex grinned, his gaze traveling back to the blonde across from him. “He was the first of us to marry… out of line, as it were.”
The blonde woman blushed. Maybe it was the reddening of her cheeks that made Molly recognize her. She was Jan Peppers. The American pie maker who was the best friend of Queen Esme. Both King Leo or Prince Alex had married American girls. The four of them were always smiling in photographs and video. They looked nothing like the royals in the history books with scowls on their faces.
“And is this your Prince Charming?” asked Prince Alex, his gaze now on Principal Kidd.
“Even better,” said Molly. “He’s the principal, and he’s going to be my new dad.”
Also by Shanae Johnson
Shanae Johnson was raised by Saturday Morning cartoons and After School Specials. She still doesn’t understand why there isn’t a life lesson that ties the issues of the day together just before bedtime. While she’s still waiting for the meaning of it all, she writes stories to try and figure it all out. Her books are wholesome and sweet, but her are heroes are hot and heroines are full of sass!
And by the way, the E elongates the A. So it’s pronounced Shan-aaaaaaaa. Perfect for a hero to call out across the moors, or up to a balcony, or to blare outside her window on a boombox. If you hear him calling her name, please send him her way!
Also By Shanae Johnson
The Rebel Royals series
The King and the Kindergarten Teacher
The Prince and the Pie Maker
The Duke and the DJ
The Marquis and the Magician’s Assistant
The Princess and the Principal
The Count and the Christmas Tree Thief
The Brides of Purple Heart
On His Bended Knee
Hand Over His Heart
Offering His Arm
His Permanent Scar
Having His Back
In Over His Head
Always On His Mind
Every Step He Takes
In His Good Hands
Light Up His Life
You can sign up for Shanae’s Reader Group at
http://bit.ly/ShanaeJohnsonReaders
The Princess and the Principal: a Sweet Royal Romance (The Rebel Royals Series Book 5) Page 9