One to Keep (One to Hold 2)

“You’re damn right I don’t. I have to thank you.”

“Thank me?” The glimmer of hope on her face might’ve made this moment sweet if I still needed revenge. Somehow, I didn’t anymore. Somehow, what she’d done didn’t matter to me now. The fist in my chest had released, and I just wanted to say these last words and be done with her. For good.

“Thank you for removing any last feelings I might’ve had for you.” Pausing a moment to check, I nodded as I recognized my insides were completely still. “You’ve shown me how I’ve changed. I am finally able to say I don’t give a shit what you do. You’re completely out of my system.”

“But—”

“Have a nice life, Stacy.” I reached forward and tapped the screen, ending the call. Then I stood, feeling whole again. Any unfinished business was completely wrapped up. If it were a real thing, I’d put a bow around it and drop it in the trash can.

Instead, I walked to the bathroom and started the shower. I was ready to scrub this trip from my body and wash it down the drain. Then I’d spend the weekend with the woman I did care about. The woman I loved.

* * *

Holding Elaine in my arms made me feel like a lifetime had passed between what happened in Raleigh and now.

I’d arrived at her small, private school in time to see her in action before the day ended. Her principal had let me check in and go to her class, but Elaine didn’t know I was there.

I stood outside the door, watching through the small window as she taught her class of sixth graders about literature and vocabulary and fantasy and romance. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her slowly go from desk to desk. She was so thoughtful working with them. Holding her long, blonde hair back, she leaned beside a boy’s desk and pointed to a passage in the book. She said something to him then waited, her pretty brow lined, a concerned expression in her eyes, until he responded.

Whatever he said, her entire face beamed with pride and she nodded. I couldn’t see the kid from where I stood, but I knew if that had been me at eleven, and I’d just made my hot teacher that proud, I would’ve been over the moon for the rest of the day. I couldn’t help but grin.

Just as the bell rang, her eyes rose and met mine through the glass, and a different smile crossed her face. My stomach tightened in response, and I had to remind myself we were at school. I wanted to go through that door, pull her to me, and cover that pretty mouth with mine. Instead, I waited at the door, and once the kids were gone, she lunged forward, throwing her arms around my neck.

“What are you doing here?” she cried. “I thought I wasn’t seeing you this weekend!”

I leaned down and kissed her softly. “I had some business to take care of in Raleigh, so I figured I’d stop by on my way back to Princeton.”

Her sweet laugh filled the now-empty classroom. “This isn’t on the way back.”

My lips followed the line of her jaw to the side of her face, brushing her ear. “You think I’d be that close and not come to you?”

She shivered and turned her head to meet my mouth. Our tongues curled together, and I couldn’t help the physical response her kiss evoked. She giggled, pressing her nose to my cheek. “We’d better head to my place before we get detention.”

“Indecent exposure?” I said against her skin. For a moment, I pictured lifting her onto her desk, sliding her red skirt up and taking care of business.

“At the very least,” she said, stepping away and picking up a case.

I waited as she slid three stacks of papers into it, followed by a computer tablet and a few books. She pushed a lock of light blonde hair behind her ear as she studied her phone.

“Something wrong?” I said, watching her progress.

“Melissa said she couldn’t make the meeting at school today.”

“Oh,” I looked down with a sheepish grin. “That could be my fault. I bumped into her in the parking lot.”

She blinked up to me. “What happened?”

I shrugged, catching her waist and pulling her to me again. Her hands went to my shoulders. “I might’ve suggested she consider giving Derek another chance.” Elaine’s eyes closed and she shook her head slowly.

“I know,” I continued before she could speak. “But he still loves her. And I hate seeing the big guy hurting like that.”

With a sigh, she rose up to kiss my cheek then stepped back to pull her case onto her shoulder. “I’ve tried telling her the same thing, but she’ll have to come around on her own. She won’t change just because we tell her to.”

I nodded, following her out. “She’s tough,” I said. “Derek’s met his match in the stubborn department.”

She waved goodbye to a staff member and her principal made a joke about me remembering to call her as we went through the door.

“Were you flirting with Ms. Alvarez?” Elaine’s eyes narrowed when we reached the car.