The Princess and the Principal (The Rebel Royals 5)

But there had been that moment between them the other night when their fingers had interlocked while they’d sat on the couch. And before that, back in his office when the air had positively sizzled between them. Hadn’t it?

Kylee’s man radar was off. It probably had never been on. Jason had swooped in unexpectedly while the system was preparing to turn on. Other than that, she hadn’t seen interest in any other guy.

She was probably wrong. Or maybe she wasn’t? She didn’t know. She hated not knowing. But the one thing Kylee knew for sure was that her daughter wanted this to be a date.

Kylee turned to Molly who was still framed in the bathroom door admiring her mother’s reflection. “Should we have a talk?"

“About what?”

“About… you know…”

Molly rolled her eyes and groaned. ”We already did the birds and bees talk."

"No," said Kylee. "About what dating means? I just want you to know that if I start to date, it won't affect your relationship with your dad."

Molly kicked the toe of her tennis shoe at the area on the floor where the wood of the hallway turned to the tile of the bathroom floor. "He missed our call last night."

"Maybe he was traveling?”

"You always make excuses for him. You don’t need to do that anymore. I’m not a little kid.”

“Oh, I beg to differ, missy.” Kylee bent down to be on level with her daughter. She didn’t have to bend as far anymore. Molly was getting so big. “You’ll always be my baby.”

"I'm not a baby," Molly grimaced. "And he's the adult. It's his responsibility to reach out to me."

The little woman was right. When had she become so grown up? Would her father ever be the grown-up that she needed? Kylee doubted it, but she did hope so. For Molly’s sake.

The doorbell rang pulling Kylee's attention. Kylee straightened, tugging her skirt again as she did so.

"Your date is here," Molly grinned. Then she tilted her head back and gave an exaggerated yawn. ”I'm feeling tired. I’m going to my room. I won't come down at all tonight."

The door to Molly’s bedroom closed with a quiet snick. Kylee made her way down the steps. She fingered her earrings, wondering if they were too much. She touched her lips wishing she had a tissue to wipe off the gloss.

Before she knew it, she was at the front door. She knew if she opened it, whatever happened, there

was no turning back. Her relationship with Ron would be different from that moment on.

She peeped through the hole. And there he was. His face was in profile as he looked up. The porch light illuminated the small smile on his face.

Kylee let her gaze rake over what she could see of him through the small hole. For the first time since he’d come back into her life, she allowed herself to simply look at him. She’d always made fun of the gray hair that shaded his young face. With a bit of age and wisdom in his countenance, it made him look devastatingly handsome. Ron looked capable, experienced, and it took her breath away.

Kylee gasped at the transformation that took place in her mind as her childhood friend turned into a very desirable-looking man. At that moment, Ron turned and looked right into the peephole. Had he heard her? Had he seen her? Had he caught her staring?

She expected him to push the doorbell again. But he didn’t. Of course, he didn’t. He was Ron. He waited patiently for her to show up.

Ron had always been patient with her. He’d always stood by and waited for her after school. He was always ready with a kind word or a joke if things didn’t go the way she’d planned. She wished he’d been there for the last decade of her life.

Even if this wasn’t a date, she knew she wanted this man back in her life. She wanted to spend as much time with him and his goodness as possible. She needed a light like Ron’s to shine on her.

Kylee flicked the lock and turned the doorknob. She pulled it opened just a crack. Still hesitant at the change she knew was about to happen.

Ron’s smile dazzled her from the other side of the door. "Hey."

“Hey."

His gaze dipped to her lips. She knew she no longer had to ask for clarity. This was definitely a date. She had to make a decision. It was now or never.

Kylee pulled the door wide open. “Come in."