The Teacher

by Gray, Meg

  “That’s incredibly kind of you to say,” he replied, feeling self-conscious.

  “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it,” she said, nudging him with her elbow and the mood between them lightened dramatically.

  “Come on,” he said, stepping from the railing. “I’ll show you some of the best views of the city.” Emma fell into step beside him. They followed the railing and passed a thick bearded man, with baggy clothes tucked in the shadows against a concrete wall strumming on his guitar. He sang, Hotel California, his guitar case open next to him and sprinkled with change.

  They climbed the stairs of a metal viewing stand. At the top, they looked out on the city skyline. Against the darkening sky, Marcus pointed out the silhouetted landforms that created Blake and Bainbridge Islands. More viewers climbed the stairs and Marcus and Emma made room for them by going back down the stairs. At the bottom, a crowd had started to gather around the guitarist and a few couples were dancing to the man’s rendition of Eric Clapton’s Layla. Marcus reached for Emma’s hand at the last step and guided her to an empty space on the pier.

  “What do you say we get at least one dance in tonight?” He slipped his arm around Emma’s waist and she rested her arm on his shoulder.

  “Okay, but I have to warn you. I’m not the most coordinated person in the world.”

  “I know,” he said, resisting the urge to pull her body against his.

  She leaned her head back, studying him.

  “I saw you that day in the club in your aerobics class,” he admitted.

  Her beautiful golden eyes popped, “What do you mean you saw me?”

  “From the machine I was on,” he replied a little embarrassed. “I could see into the class and I didn’t know it was you, but your pink shirt caught my attention. You looked like you were holding your own, though.”

  “I’ll have you know, that was the first Zumba class I ever took. It’s a lot harder than it looks,” she said, defensiveness mounting in her voice.

  “Well, I also have it on good authority that you do a mean chicken-wing flapping dance too. That, I think I would like to see.”

  “That’s for privileged audiences only,” she told him, smiling.

  He pushed her away from him in an underarm turn and then pulled her in again, a little closer this time. “Well, maybe we can talk Brayden into a solo performance then.”

  “Brayden does the chicken dance?” she asked, pulling back again to look him in the eye and he nodded.

  “I’ve never seen him do it. He’d always just sit and watch during class.”

  “Well, he did it for me in the middle of our favorite burger place a few months back.”

  “Wow,” she said, relaxing into his hold again. My sentiments exactly, he thought, getting lost in the feel of her hips swaying against his and the sweet smell of coconut coming off her skin. It had been a long time since he held a woman like this and he was enjoying every moment.

  The music ended all too soon. They pulled apart and walked past the guitarist strumming his strings and humming. Marcus dropped a couple of bills in the man’s guitar case as they walked past.

  “God bless,” the man said in a rough voice.

  Turning the corner, they walked in front of a bronze sculptured fountain.

  “Oh, this is where the aquarium is,” Emma said, reading the glass-lettered sign above them. “I’ve heard they have great exhibits. Have you and Brayden been here?”

  “No,” Marcus said, feeling like a delinquent father for not even thinking about bringing Brayden here. “But we are planning to go to a Mariner’s game tomorrow,” he threw in, trying to redeem himself.

  “That sounds like fun. I’m sure Brayden will love that.”

  “Yeah,” Marcus agreed, feeling like a fake. The idea had just come to him, he didn’t even have tickets yet, but that wouldn’t be a problem with just a few phone calls he’d be able to get some. What he felt worse about was that it was spending time with Emma that had prompted his idea. “Why don’t you come with us?”

  Her eyes brightened and his spirit lifted, “Oh, I wish I could. I’ve never been to a professional baseball game before, but I can’t. My roommate, Seth, is in town and we’re meeting up tomorrow for a little shopping and lunch.”

  “Oh,” Marcus said, feeling discouraged. It served him right for trying to use his son as an excuse to spend more time with her. “Well another time then.”

  “Sure.”

  The night had been going well up until now. The mention of Emma’s roommate and Marcus’s jealousy of the man ruined his mood, he couldn’t compete with a guy that was taking her shopping tomorrow. Why was it this guy always seemed to creep in when Marcus least expected it? He pretended to look at his watch, “Well, we should probably get back. I’d like to tuck Brayden in tonight.”

  Marcus turned at the crosswalk and hurried across the four lanes of traffic. Emma followed, hurrying to keep up with him.

  Back at the house, Marcus bid Emma goodnight before trudging up the stairs to the second floor.

  “So, how’d it go?” Luke asked, muting the television. Brayden, stretched out on the couch across his uncle’s lap with his pajamas on, was sound asleep.

  “Fine,” Marcus replied, flopping on the couch at Brayden’s feet and flinging his arm across the back.

  “Did you find a good club?”

  “No. We walked on the waterfront and just talked. Mostly about Brayden.” Marcus thought about dancing with Emma and holding her close, the smell of her skin, but he wasn’t about to mention any of that to his brother.

  “So, you guys going out again?” Luke looked hopeful.

  “I already told you I’m not taking my son’s teacher out on a date.”

  “But, you just did.” Luke was smiling, a twinkle in his eye.

  “No,” Marcus corrected. “I bailed you out of ruining a nice girl’s evening.”

  “Yeah, I really had to twist your arm didn’t I?”

  Marcus shook his head.

  “Tell me what was so bad about going out with her that you’d never do it again? I know you like her. I can see it in the way you look at her. C’mon what’s going on with you?”

  “It’s just not a good idea for me to date her. End of story. Besides, I think she might already be seeing someone else.”

  “Really? Who?” Luke asked.

  “She has this roommate,” he said, lamely putting the word in air quotes. “I’ve seen them together and he’s coming into town to see her tomorrow. I get the feeling there’s something going on with them.”

  “Have you asked her about him?”

  “No, because it’s none of my business,” Marcus said, pressing his thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose. He felt a headache coming on.

  “It is your business if you’re interested in her,” Luke pressed.

  “Not interested,” Marcus said, getting to his feet, picking up Brayden and carrying him to their bedroom. He knew if he didn’t end their conversation now Luke would continue to press him and he just wanted to be alone with his memories about the evening. Especially, if this was the only evening he’d ever get to spend with Emma.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Emma walked into the dining room for breakfast in her white capri pants and blue paisley halter tank, both perfectly pressed by Maricella’s expert hand. Marcus was concealed behind the morning paper, his plate already removed from the table. Maricella disappeared into the kitchen at Emma’s approach and arrived right behind her setting a plate of stuffed crepes on the table.

  “Good morning,” Emma said, placing her napkin on her lap. Marcus folded the corner of the paper down low enough to give her a curt smile and then flipped it back up. Luke smiled from across the table at her and Brayden forced the food in his mouth down his throat so he could speak.

  “We’re going to a baseball game today, Ms. Hewitt,” he reported.

  “I know,” she said. “It sounds like fun.” Emma used her fork and knife to cut
into her breakfast and took her first bite. It was as delicious as it looked. Maricella was a fantastic cook and Emma wondered if there was any way the woman would give her a few free lessons before she had to go home.

  “You know?” Luke looked at her over the top of his coffee cup. “But we just talked about it a few minutes ago.” The newspaper rustled as Marcus folded it and set it on the table.

  “Marcus mentioned it last night,” she said, cutting off another bite of her crepe.

  “Last night,” Luke repeated and then looked at his brother. Emma didn’t see the glare that passed from Marcus to Luke as she popped another forkful of crepe in her mouth. “Speaking of last night,” Luke continued. “Did you have a good time?”

  “Yes, the waterfront has some beautiful views at night.”

  “Yes, it does. Very romantic, too, with the moonlight on the water and the city lights.”

  Emma smiled, her mouth chewing again.

  “Well, I’m sorry you didn’t get to go dancing,” Luke said, looking remorseful.

  Emma shook her head as she swallowed.

  “Oh, no. We got a dance in on the pier.”

  Luke’s eyebrows shot up in surprise and then looked at his brother. “Oh really? On the pier?”

  Marcus shifted in his chair next to her. “Finish up Brayden, so we can get ready to go.”

  Brayden bobbed his head up and down as he chewed.

  “Will you be coming with us today, Emma?” Luke asked. She could see the scowl Marcus had locked on his brother, but Luke seemed unaware.

  “Uh, no, I can’t. I’m meeting a friend who’s in town today. He’s staying over in Redmond.”

  “Oh, is he a boyfriend kind of friend?” Luke asked with his best attempt at innocence.

  “No, he’s my roommate from Portland.”

  “Well, it sounds like an awfully special roommate to come all the way up here to see you.” Luke’s eyebrows arched again and Emma could tell what he was thinking.

  “It’s nothing like that. Seth’s a consultant and works for a firm out of Portland. He has a project he’s been assigned to with a company in Redmond. He drove up yesterday.”

  “Aah, so you’re just regular good old-fashion, live together, but that’s all kind of friends.” Emma couldn’t help but laugh. Sometimes Luke reminded her so much of Stacy, always insinuating sex must be happening, between any man and woman. Neither one of them could be subtle, even if they tried.

  “Yep, we’ve been good, old-fashion friends ever since college.”

  “And nothing’s ever happened…” Luke wagged his finger at her suggesting a possible romantic relationship.

  “Luke,” Marcus’s sharp tone stopped his brother. Emma laughed. Good old Marcus, the always cordial and appropriate one, was chastising his brother for grilling her about her relationship with Seth.

  “It’s okay,” Emma said and rested a hand on Marcus’s arm to reassure him. He turned to her at her touch and she pulled her hand back. It had felt so natural, to reach out and touch him, but the look he shot her made her feel otherwise.

  Sobering, she looked back at Luke, “No, never ever.”

  “Good enough for me,” he said, raising his glass to her and then drinking from it, but above the rim his eyes looked over at Marcus.

  * * *

  Emma leaned against the fountain in front of Seth’s hotel, waiting for him. The sky was dotted with cotton clouds and the sun stood center stage, warming the summer day. Seth exited the sliding doors and Emma broke into a smile at the sight of her friend. She waved and he crossed the sidewalk to her.

  “Sorry, I’m late,” he said, embracing her. “My boss decided we needed to have a little conference call this morning about my new project.”

  “That’s okay. I hadn’t given up on you yet.”

  “So how have you been?” he asked, throwing an arm over her shoulder as they crossed the street to the shopping center. Shoppers bustled in and out of stores, bags dangling from their arms.

  “I can’t complain, how about you?” she asked.

  “Busy, of course, but good.”

  “How’s Kelly?”

  “Um good, I guess.” Seth stopped and held his hand out to Emma indicating a nearby bench and she took a seat.

  “Is something wrong?” Emma asked as she sat down.

  “No, not really. I just need to talk to you about something.”

  “What is it?” Emma prompted, concern flooding over her.

  “Well, it’s about us,” Seth started.

  “Us?” Emma asked, wondering when they had become an us.

  “Yeah, I’ve loved having you for a roommate this year. We’ve had a lot of fun when I’ve been around, right?”

  She nodded and waited for him to continue.

  “It’s been so nice having you there when I come home from these long trips and your cooking, well, let’s just say that’s been reason enough to rush home from work some nights.” He nudged her with his knee and smiled.

  “Uh-huh, I’ve loved it too. I feel really lucky that you were willing to share your apartment with me.”

  “I know,” he said and reached for her hand. “I feel lucky too, but I can’t keep this up.”

  “Keep what up?” Emma’s heart stopped. What was Seth trying to say?

  He looked up and squinted into the sun before turning back to her. “I put in for a transfer to the Los Angeles office and the company granted it. I’ll be moving at the end of next month. Kelly and I are getting a place together. I can’t stand to be so far away anymore.”

  “Seth, that’s so exciting!” Emma reached up to give him a hug.

  “Really? You’re not upset with me, that I’m moving out.”

  “Of course I’m upset. Heartbroken is more like it, but I’m really, really happy for you.” Emma smiled, resisting the urge to fall to pieces at the thought of Seth moving to another state and moving in with someone else.

  “Thanks Em, that means a lot to me.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

  “I’ll just have to add you to the list of men who didn’t choose me,” she said, pretending to whimper, although it wasn’t hard. She could easily break down in tears at any moment.

  “Come on Emma, it’s not like that and you know it.”

  “Oh sure it is,” she teased him. “You’re just like all the rest of them and here I thought I was supposed to be the queen of your castle. But now you’ve dethroned me and picked someone else to give my crown to, haven’t you?”

  Seth tried not to laugh at her melodramatic performance, his sexy grin spread all the way to his eyes. God, he’s cute, Emma thought, knowing she was going to miss him way more than she would ever let on. Her perfect roommate was moving on and leaving her alone.

  “Oh, Emma, you’re going to make some guy so happy someday,” he said and reached out to hug her.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah, you keep saying that.” She pulled back, resting her hands on his biceps. “Let’s go get some lunch, my treat, to celebrate your new adventure.”

  “Sounds good, Em, you’re the best,” he said.

  “I know,” she replied and flashed him her most genuine smile.

  * * *

  After lunch and an afternoon of shopping, which Emma had lost her enthusiasm for after learning she was going to be friend-less, roommate-less and probably apartment-less in less than a month, Seth drove Emma out to the house.

  “Wow, this place is incredible,” Seth said as they curved around the driveway.

  “I know, not bad for a summer gig, huh?”

  “I guess you could have done worse. How is the kid doing?” Seth asked.

  “Pretty good, actually. We’ve made a lot of progress this summer.”

  “That’s good. And the dad, how are things with him?”

  “Good. He’s actually a really great guy, once you get to know him,” Emma said.

  “Aaah, and how well have you gotten to know him?” Seth asked slyly.

  “Really? Are you g
oing to start acting like Stacy on me now?” she teased.

  “No, just giving you a hard time. Thanks again for lunch. It was great seeing you. Give me a call next weekend if you have some free time. I should still be around.”

  “Okay, Seth, thanks.” Emma stepped from the car and went inside the house. It was quiet, and Emma went downstairs. She flopped on her bed and stared at the clock. Suddenly the date hit her and she jumped for her phone.

  Today was Chelsea’s birthday. She was turning four and this was the first year Emma hadn’t been at her party. Audrey asked her to think about coming, but Emma knew that sometimes Marcus needed her to stay with Brayden on the weekends and a trip down and back in forty-eight hours hardly seemed worth it. She reminded Audrey she’d be home in a few weeks and would take Chelsea on a special outing, just the two of them, to make up for her absence.

  Emma scrolled through the numbers on her phone and connected with her sister’s phone. It rang and rang, but there was no answer, so she left a quick message wishing her niece a happy birthday and promised to call again a little later.

  Emma stretched out across her bed again and felt her eyes grow heavy. She let them fall and awoke two hours later, groggy and disoriented. She looked at her phone on the side table next to a fresh vase of red roses and saw Audrey hadn’t called her back. Needing to do something to wake herself up Emma went into the bathroom and washed her face. Next, she tossed her wrinkled clothes in the hamper that Maricella would pick up tomorrow and wash. She pulled her pink plaid pajama pants from the chest of drawers and a black t-shirt.

  Feeling more comfortable and refreshed, Emma flipped on the big screen TV mounted on the wall across from her bed and caught up on the entertainment news buzzing around Hollywood. After the show, she tried her sister’s number again. This time Audrey answered.

  “Hey, Sis, it’s me. Is Chels there? I want to wish her a happy birthday.”

  “Now’s not a good time, Emma, she’s already in bed.” Her sister sounded agitated.

  “Sorry, Audrey. I didn’t realize she’d be going to bed so soon,” Emma said, checking the clock again.

  “Yeah, well she’s pretty tired from the whole day. It would have been nice if you called earlier, she really wanted to talk to you.” Audrey’s voice was about to break and Emma felt terrible about not getting a chance to talk to her niece.