“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? 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. She turned back to Ron who was moving the take-out to the living room 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.
He 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.
“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 started eating. 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 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 his food 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 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. But 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. And 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 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.”
She 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.
“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 know
n 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. He’d made a level-headed assessment of the decision that she was making and called foul.
Kylee wished he had rescued her back then. She felt she was floundering now. Except for these past few days he’d been back in her life. She felt grounded around him, like her old self.
“Work that angle.”
Kyle blinked. Anthony’s blue gaze came back into focus. “Angle?”
What was this angle people were constantly bringing up? She knew she worked for an education company, but somehow, she didn’t think this had to do with math.
“The friendship angle,” Jason said as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“I’m not going to use my friend to get ahead in my job.”
“This is Washington, DC. It’s what this swamp of a town was built on.”
But Kylee only worked in D.C. She lived in St. Judith. People there helped each other because it was the right thing to do. There were no angles in the small town just on the other side of the river. There were only straight lines that got people to the points they wanted to go and circles of unity to include all of the community.
“Close the deal and you could get put on the high-level testing team.”
Kylee opened her mouth to protest louder but paused. There was that carrot again. The high-level testing team was where they worked on post-secondary materials. It was Kylee’s dream to work on college prep tests.
That team was now walking into one of the conference room doors down the hall. The door closed behind them, shutting her out. But what if it opened for her?
She didn’t need an angle to talk to Ron. She was already in his circle of trust. They hadn’t talked about Thrive last night because the whole door opening situation had distracted them both.
Kylee had seen the work of the other company, Here 2 Learn. Their lesson plans lacked detail. Their competencies were vague. And their test questions were confusing.
She knew her work was beyond what they did. On assessment alone, she ran laps around the other company. She didn’t doubt she was the best woman for the job.
Mommy Loves the Principal Page 5