I laughed and looped my arm around Bess’s. “That he does. And arms and shoulders.”
“Teachers didn’t look like that when I was a girl. Hell, most teachers were women unless they were professors.”
“Well, women are the smarter gender anyway. But I’m sure he does well enough.”
Bess patted my hand. “You’re right there, my dear.” She took one last look over the edge and shook her head. “They are pretty, but today is about us girls, not sweaty men.”
Kylie brushed her finger over one of the wilted flowers dotting a planter along the half wall. “Sweaty men always have a place as far as I’m concerned.”
“Wait until you’re over sixty, Kylie,” Bess said and floated back to the table.
Kylie glanced at me. “Pretty sure I’m always going to want a sweaty guy. Especially if he’s over me.”
I laughed. “C’mon, you don’t like to be on top?”
Kylie’s eyes sparkled. “Sometimes. But Justin sure looks good when he’s pinning me down.” She winked and followed Bess.
Tabitha’s eyes were wide. “Did she say pinning?”
I laughed. “She sure did.”
“Have you done that? I mean, been pinned?” She crossed her arms over her middle, fascination and surprise tingeing her voice.
I grinned. “I tend to do the pinning.”
A delighted laugh bubbled out of Tabitha. “I’m so glad you helped me with my Christmas tree. I never would’ve had the guts to meet someone like you if we hadn’t bumped into each other.”
“Like me?” I gave one last look over the wall and enjoyed Caleb’s flexing biceps before I steered Tabitha back to the table.
“So outgoing and sure of yourself. I could never be like that.”
“Fake it til you make it, girl. And add in a little self care to believe you’re worth it.” It had taken me a damn long time to find myself, but I’d become a helper for a reason. Maybe being a teacher was more of a calling than I thought.
The Universe was a weird and wonderful thing.
I gave her an encouraging smile. “Let’s learn about those cards. They can help a bit.”
She nodded. “I’m ready.”
Her spirit made me grin. “You sure are.”
“Hey, what do your cards say about finding love?” Kylie asked before biting her lip. “I mean, for you. You’re single, right? Or you don’t want to go there right now.”
I shuffled again to give my hands something to do. “I’m open to whatever happens.”
Within reason, I added mentally.
And hey, if pinning was involved, maybe I’d just take that as a sign from a benevolent goddess.
Three
“Wakey, wakey.”
I fumbled for my phone. Wait, that wasn’t my phone. “Ugh, Ry?”
“Did you forget something?” Ryan Moon’s voice came out of my speaker.
We both had our Alexa devices set up so we could drop in on one another. I’d thought it was a good idea when I made her set it up.