The valet took her keys, gave her a ticket, and they went in.
“I’m Marie Gilman. We’re here for dinner with my parents. Are they here?”
The maître De’s face lit up.
“Miss Gilman, what a delightful surprise! We haven’t seen you here since your high school graduation! How marvelous you look!”
“Oh, thank you, Enri. How’s Millicent?”
“Oh, she’s well. Lovely as ever.”
“Please tell her I asked about her.”
“I will do that. Follow me. Your parents are out on the deck overlooking the harbor.”
Marie whispered to Lucas,
“Best table in the house, as usual.” Lucas swallowed hard as they walked through long corridors of marble tiled floors and nautical relics as décor. Nope, not a world he knew at all.
“Here you are, Miss Gilman. Someone will be right over to get your cocktail order once you’re settled.”
“Thank you. DADDY!”
A sturdy, tanned, tall man looked up from his menu and stood up. Marie went straight to him and embraced him.
“Hey, Daddy.” He hugged her back and kissed her on the head.
“There’s my smart girl. You look pretty tonight.” He released her and she went over to her mother to greet her in the same manner.
Mr. Gilman stepped out from behind the table and approached Lucas, intimidatingly.
“You must be Lucas.”
“Yes sir. Lucas Anderson. Nice to meet you.”
“I understand you’re in love with my only daughter.”
Lucas stood up a little straighter, put his hand out to shake, and said,
“Yes sir. I am.” Mr. Gilman smiled and took the hand to shake.
“Call me Clint. Nice to meet you.”
The dinner was none like Lucas had ever experienced. However, despite his lack of table etiquette training, none of the Gilman’s seemed to even notice.
When the meal was over, the ladies were very excited about the decadent deserts being offered. The gentleman, however, were not.
“Vivian, you girls go ahead. Have some coffee, some of the creamy brulay stuff. Lucas and I are going into the cigar room.”
“We are?” Lucas asked. “I mean, yes. We are.” Clint chuckled.
On their way into the cigar room,
“I don’t know about you, Lucas, but something about those sicky-sweet deserts are just not what I want after a great meal like that. And this place does good meals.”
“Yes they do. That was fantastic, thank you for including me.”
“Including you? You were the reason for the whole event.”
“I was?” Clint laughed right out loud.
“You sit down right here, boy. Enri! Can I get two B&Bs over here? Thanks, Man.”
“Okay, Clint. You pulled me away obviously to grill me. I’m ready. Let’s go.”
“Grill you? The hell you talking about, Son?”
“Well, Marie and my age difference must be an issue for you. Let’s hear it. Let’s put our cards on the table.” Clint smiled.
“I like your style, young man. No, you got your facts wrong, Son. Truth is all I want is my baby girl to walk around all the time with that smile and glow I saw on her face the second she walked in. You did that. That’s all I care about.”
“Really?”
“Really. Hell, after that ding-dong she was married to, I’d have been thrilled if she walked in with Captain Kangaroo. Didn’t like that man. All he wanted to do was take her away, sweep her off her feet. Nothing real. I knew how that was gonna turn out. And he was uncomfortable around me . . . always squirrely and shifting in his char. Not like you. You’re steady. I like that.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. If you’re messing with her, I’ll find you.” Lucas swallowed hard.
“Understood.” They both lifted their snifters in a toast to understanding each other.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Marie returned to work teaching the sixth and seventh graders. She entered her classroom with the biggest glow on her face.
She was still a dedicated and compassionate teacher, like always, but her demeanor in the classroom was the polar opposite of what it had been in recent years.
Before today, Marie may have loved her job, but she used her work as an escape. She now had balance between her work and personal life.
The first student who came in was a girl that Marie had taught the year before, but also the younger sibling of another previous student. They knew each other fairly well.
“Morning, Ms. Gilman.”
“Well good Monday morning, Angel!”
“Ms. Gilman, it’s really nice to see you this happy. You are my favorite teacher, but I could tell that you weren’t happy most of the year. Whatever it was that made you happy, I hope you hold onto it.”
Marie was touched by what Angel told her and was a little more open about what changed in her life to brighten her spirits.
“I met someone right at the end of the school year last year who makes me very happy. I’m very lucky.”
Other than the occasional bad egg, all of Marie’s students had great attitudes and were easy to work with. Some of Marie’s students struggled with the lesson plans, but Marie was up for the challenge to get them through it.
The persistence paid off with most of the students who were struggling, but there was one boy, Dillon, who was still struggling in her Social Studies class. No matter what method of teaching Marie tried, Dillon just couldn’t seem to focus and perform well in the classroom.
Marie, being the concerned teacher that she was, called Dillon’s parents in private for a parent-teacher conference so she could pinpoint the exact reason why he was struggling.
When Dillon arrived with his mother for the parent-teacher conference, something looked eerily familiar about his mother. Once Dillon and his mother sat down, Marie realized that Dillon’s mother was the waitress who scowled at seeing her and Lucas together at the diner celebrating her birthday.
“Wait, you are my son’s teacher?” the woman asked her. “I don’t think we need to have this meeting.”
“And why is that?” Marie questioned her.
“His teacher is obviously not fit to teach the class,” she said to Marie.
“What! That is absurd. Why do you say that? I have a proven track record with my students. The reason for this meeting is to find out exactly what’s holding Dillon back,” Marie said defensively.
“I know what you do outside of school, fooling around with boys barely out of school, so revolting. I don’t feel comfortable with you teaching my son. I’m going to have him transferred to a different class. Dillon, let’s go!” she said as she left with her son.
Marie sat in her classroom in stunned silence.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Later that week, Dillon was removed from Marie’s class. She was given no reason, but she knew why. Marie was so disappointed for Dillon. She was trying her best to help him bump his grades up in school. Hopefully his new teacher would be able to pick up the ball and help get him on the right track.
In the coming weeks, Marie two or three students removed from each of her six classes without prior warning or discussion. It was still early in the school year and, naturally, kids would change their schedules around before settling on their classes for the year. Marie wondered if the transfers had anything to do with the incident with Dillon’s mother, but she gave no further thought to it.
That Friday night, Lucas had an old high school buddy and his girlfriend in town that he and Marie were going to double date with.
Lucas’s friend, Sean, was a bit of a party animal back in high school and a couple years younger than Lucas, but had calmed down considerably after meeting Rebecca.
Marie had shared her concerns about the double date earlier in the week once he told her about Sean.
“You said he was a party animal in school?” Marie asked Lucas.
“Back th
en he was pretty crazy, but he’s changed since then,” Lucas said trying to comfort her.
“Okay, I’ll take your word for it, but we’ve seen how great that has worked in the past,” Marie sarcastically told him.
They met Sean and Rebecca at an Irish Pub Marie and Lucas enjoyed going to on occasion. It was a perfect bar that was not too crazy, had great food, an amazing drink selection, and you could actually hear the person next to you to have a conversation. When Sean and Rebecca drove up to the bar, Lucas walked out to Sean and greeted him a high five and a bear hug.
“Hey, how you been, Buddy? It’s been way too long,” Lucas said.
“Hell yeah, Brother! I’ve missed you man, how’ve you been?” Sean asked. “Oh, I’m sorry. This is Rebecca.”
“Hi Rebecca, nice to meet you,” Lucas told her. “This is my amazing girlfriend, Marie,” as Lucas introduced Marie to his old buddy.
Lucas noticed an odd expression on Sean’s face as he and Rebecca became acquainted with Marie. He couldn’t help notice that Sean whispered something to Rebecca. So he asked,
“Sean, is there something you need to say to me?”
“Don’t worry about it, Lucas. Come on, let’s go ahead and eat,” Sean said as he motioned the group to sit at a table.
During their meal together, Lucas could easily recognize that Sean was still a party animal, and that Rebecca was as well, by the conversation they had. Not at all what Lucas had expected. Later on, during their conversation, Sean mentioned that Rebecca was twenty-one years old and joked about the fact that she could barely buy alcohol legally.
Then, Sean asked Marie how old she was. Marie was honest with him. She was forty-four.
Lucas saw that same strange expression on Sean’s face.
“Hey Sean, come outside with me for a minute. Excuse us, Ladies,”
“What’s up, Buddy?” Sean asked him.
“Why do you keep giving Marie weird looks? Have you got a problem with her?” Lucas demanded.
“Well, it’s nothing personal, but she’s kind of old. She has to be what? Twenty years older than you?” Sean asked.
“Yes she is. Is it that a problem? Do you think she’s going to cramp your and Rebecca’s style,” Lucas responded sarcastically.
“Maybe, to be honest. I don’t think she’d be able to keep up anyway. She’s in a different life stage than us, Buddy. She’s past what we like to do on a Friday night.
“Really? And what’s that? Bumping asses on a dance floor and drinking til you puke?”
“Wow. I was going to ask you if you wanted to head out to Boston with us tomorrow to hit the nightclubs, but I’m thinking that’s not a good idea. Especially if she’s your date, I’d feel like my mom’s friend would be watching everything I do,” he explained to Lucas.
Lucas was infuriated. This was not the Sean he expected and wasn’t impressed at all.
“You know what, screw you Sean. If that’s how you feel, then you and your airhead girlfriend enjoy the rest of the evening, and your Boston nightclubs. I’ll be with a real woman,” Lucas angrily told him.
Lucas walked zealously back into the bar and right to Marie.
“Baby, get your things. I just had something come up. We gotta go.” Surprised, Marie grabbed her bag and sweater. Lucas put a wad of money down on the table, where Rebecca was still sitting.
“Here’s our portion of the bill. Sorry, Rebecca. Nice to meet you. Let’s go, Marie.”
Once in the car and on the road, Marie wanted to know what was going on.
“Okay, so what happened?”
“Nothing happened. Just didn’t like where Sean is right now. Took me by surprise.”
“I see. And it had nothing to do with me.” Lucas’ silence confirmed her suspicion.
“What did he say?”
“It doesn’t matter. I wasn’t impressed with him and I was done with him for the night.”
“Well that makes your mother and now one of your friends. I wonder if we’ll ever be able to hang out with anyone you know,” Marie sighed. “This is exactly what I was afraid of before we started dating. The backlash.”
“I know, I know. Screw them. Like I said, they’ll come around, or they won’t. I don’t care who it is.”
“I know the way you’re so strong in your convictions, that’s why I love you,” Marie said trying to console him.
“Thanks, Babe, I appreciate that. I love you too,” he told her.
“I have to admit though, seeing you so protective, not wanting to tell me the real reason you wanted to leave, really turned me on. I was thinking, ooh baby, that’s MY man,” Marie said.
“Oh yeah? You thought it was a turn on?” he asked her.
“Most definitely. I knew what was going on. I wanted you to take advantage of me right there in the bar. Have your way with me,” Marie seductively told him as she began running her hand up his inner thigh while he was driving.
“Woah, easy down there Marie!” he shouted with a grin on his face. “I’m driving now. Do you want me to crash?”
“No, I want your hands all over me right now,” she said while massaging her breasts where Lucas could see out of the corner of his eye.
“Are you really trying to seduce me or just trying to make me feel better about earlier?” Lucas asked giving her a quick glance.
While still massaging her breasts Marie told him, “I don’t know, drive faster so we can get home and find out.”
Lucas gave her a seductive grin and hit the gas pedal making a beeline to get to his house so he could ravage Marie.
After they pulled into the driveway, he yanked her out of the car and forcefully started kissing her. He leaned her up against the car and kissed her passionately while fondling her breasts underneath her shirt. Marie wrapped her long, slender legs around his waist as she leaned against the car, and he lifted her up while simultaneously kissing her.
“Grab my keys from my pocket and open the door,” Lucas told her while he carried her towards the front door.
“Okay,” she said breathlessly and took her time finding the keys in one of his front pockets. “I don’t think those are the keys,” she said as she toyed with him as long as she could.
Marie felt his erection against her body as she straddled him. She finally opened the door and Lucas walked them towards the bedroom, while licking and sucking her neck.
Once they got to the bedroom door, Lucas tossed her on the bed as he tried to catch his breath from carrying her all the way from outside. She licked her lips while seductively staring his masculine frame up and down. She held her hand out to him to come to her in the bed.
“Come over here and take me Lucas. Take me right now!” she demanded of him.
Lucas removed his shirt and lustfully looked at Marie as he shut door behind him and joined her in the bed.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“So, was last night better than going to some nightclub with your old friend,” Marie said to Lucas, unable to hide the grin from her face.
“Most definitely.” Lucas replied.
After a couple of lazy hours in bed, hunger took over and they made their way to the kitchen for breakfast.
“Last night was so amazing. The best night I’ve had in a long time,” Marie said.
“That was the wildest night I’ve ever had. Absolutely crazy.”
Lucas checked his phone and saw two missed calls and several text messages from Sean apologizing. Lucas simply deleted them all.
Looking for a silver lining Marie commented,
“I don’t’ know if you’re ready for anymore introductions, but I do have one friend who I know totally approves. My best friend, Sonja. Don’t take it the wrong way, but she thinks you’re really hot too. I pointed you out once to her.”
“Oh yah? Awesome! Why haven’t I met her? Afraid she’ll steal me away?”
“Hardly. We usually talk at least a few times a week. We’ve been close friends for about ten years or so now. The festival where we met, she
actually came with me to it,” Marie told him.
“Really, that’s too funny. You’ll have to introduce me to the one person in the world, or at least in Sheffield Shores, that supports our relationship and doesn’t give us heat for it. Besides your mom and dad, they’re so cool.” Lucas said to Marie and began cleaning up the kitchen.
Marie picked up her phone casually to check messages. She was a little alarmed to see a missed call from the principal of the school. His voicemail said was requesting an urgent meeting with her first thing Monday morning in his office.
She couldn’t call him back for a meeting time, it was the weekend. She’d have to sweat it out all weekend and just find out on Monday.
“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Lucas said to her.
“I had a voicemail from my boss. He wants a meeting first thing Monday morning. He didn’t even say what it was about, only that it was urgent. What could I have possibly done wrong?” she said very nervously.
“You’re a wonderful teacher, I’m sure it’s nothing. Don’t stress over it,” Lucas said as he tried to calm her down. “Why don’t you stay here the rest of the weekend? We can just relax.”
“Okay, I’ll stay. But I don’t know what kind of company I’m going to be. What could I have possible done, I wonder?”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Monday morning arrived after an anxiety-filled weekend. She went into work earlier than usual after tossing and turning all night. Normally, she got to the school by seven o’clock in the morning, a little over an hour before school starts.
Today, she arrived to work at quarter of six. She put her belongings in her office, took a series of deep breaths to relax, and made her way to the principal’s office. No one was there when she arrived at his office so she waited by the door. Around six thirty, Mr. Hamilton, the principal, came walking up to the door.
“Good you’re here. Come on in Ms. Gilman, we need to talk,” he told her as he unlocked his office door.
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