But it’ll only make her uncomfortable. I don’t want to do that. We’ve had a good day, and I’m enjoying her.
I want to kiss her again.
“To Kill a Mockingbird.”
“Huh?”
“My favorite movie is To Kill a Mockingbird. The book is fabulous, too, but man, Gregory Peck could act. I love everything about that film.”
“I’ve never seen it.”
I lower my pizza to my plate and stare at her as if she just said that she’s been possessed by a ghost and wants me to do the cha-cha.
“Never?”
“Nope.” She nibbles on a piece of garlic bread. “But now I want to.”
“Oh, it’s going to happen. You have to see it. Did you read the book?”
“Yes, in high school. But I was sick the day they watched the movie in class. So, I missed it.”
I already have an idea forming in my head on how to remedy this. I’ll make some calls in the morning.
“Oh, how did your meeting go today?” she asks. “I’m sorry, I should have asked you earlier.”
“It was great, actually. Do you know who Luke Williams is?”
She frowns. “Wasn’t he in those vampire movies?”
“Yes, forever ago. He’s a producer now. Owns a studio. It’s based here in Seattle because he lives here with his family. Anyway, I’m going to be in Washington for about six months, and I can’t sit idle. I’d go crazy. I need to work or something.”
“I get that. I love having the summer off, but I’m always ready to go back to work.”
“Exactly. I think I might take on a directing role in a TV show his company produces.”
“Wow, that’s awesome! Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Somehow, Aubrey’s pride and enthusiasm in my work is more satisfying than winning a damn Oscar. “It’s a new challenge, but I’m up for it. I’ve considered directing for years, but I’ve always been busy with acting. This is the first break I’ve had in a long, long time.”
“I do notice that you are in a lot of movies,” she says with a nod. “But that’s good. It means you have work. You won’t go hungry.”
I laugh and then nod. “You’re right. I won’t. Okay, your turn. What’s your favorite movie?”
“Captain America.”
I blink at her. “I was in that one.”
“You were?” Her eyes widen as if she’s shocked. “I had no idea.”
“Sarcasm. You’re being sarcastic, aren’t you?”
She giggles and sets her empty plate aside. “I love superhero movies. The action, the lessons, the right conquering wrong. I just like it.”
And I like her.
A lot.
Maybe too much. Because she’s rooted here in Seattle now, and in six months, I’m leaving. She’s not the kind of girl you sleep with for the short term and then bail—no harm, no foul.
And I can’t give her the kind of relationship that sticks.
But damn if I’m not completely taken with her.
“You have a funny look on your face. Does it make it awkward that one of your movies is my favorite?”
“I think it would make it awkward if one of my movies wasn’t your favorite.”
I give her an arrogant smile.
She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, okay. You’re just a little full of yourself, Zane.”
I laugh and cross my arms over my chest, enjoying her. “But you like me.”
“Eh. You’re okay.”
Chapter Five
~Aubrey~
It’s been the longest week of my life.
I’m almost finished with the first week of school, and I’m exhausted. The kids are tough. Some of the parents have been a downright nightmare.
I want a drink and my bed for forty-eight hours straight.
“I don’t want to tie my own shoes,” Timmy says with a scowl. “You do it.”
“We all have to tie our own shoes,” I reply and shake my head. “You know how. I saw you do it earlier today.”
“You’re the teacher,” Timmy says, holding his ground. “It’s your job. My dad pays taxes, so you get paid, and you’re supposed to do it.”
I raise a brow. Obviously, Timmy hears all kinds of colorful things at home.
If I give into him during the first week, he will make my life hell all year.
I squat next to him. “Do you like Captain America?” I ask and point to his T-shirt that sports the superhero’s shield.
“Sure.”
“I do, too. He’s a nice guy, right? He’s respectful. And I’m pretty sure he ties his own shoes.”
Timmy frowns and then sighs as if it’s the biggest chore in the world. Still, he gets to work tying his laces.
“Are you always going to be mean?” a little girl named Bella asks.
“I’m not mean at all.”
“We didn’t have to tie our own shoes in kindergarten,” someone else informs me. “You’re just mean. And you didn’t let us have a snack.”
“We did have snacks.” I sigh and rub my hand over my face.
Stay calm. It’s the end of the day. You get to go home now.
“Hello, darling.”
“Mom!” Timmy jumps up and runs into his mother’s arms. I inwardly cringe.