Straight Up Love (Boys of Jackson Harbor 2)

“Crazy good or just crazy different?”

“Crazy good,” she says.

Satisfied, I grin and reach around her for a snifter glass to pour my own. This stuff packs a punch at almost thirteen percent ABV—nothing as crazy as a shot of liquor, but strong enough that it should help me through this conversation. “How was your day?”

“Good.”

There’s a hesitation in her voice that makes me frown. “What? What happened?”

She searches my face, then shakes her head. “Nothing. Ellie came over and spoiled me with gifts, then we went to Ooh La La! and consumed irresponsible quantities of sugar and caffeine.”

“That’s what birthdays are for, right?”

“Right.” She drags her bottom lip between her teeth—an old habit that’s always put knots in my gut. “I ran into Myla Quincy while I was there.”

“She’s one of the other English teachers, right?”

She beams. “I’m always impressed that you can keep my coworkers straight.”

“It’s not like there are hundreds of you.” Some days I feel like I should thank her ex-husband for being such a prick. He makes me look like a fucking prince by comparison—not that my princely status ever got me real far with Ava.

“Myla told me the school’s doing layoffs. She was pretty shaken up, worried she’d be out of a job, and honestly, I was at first too.”

“Who can blame you?” I ask. “But you feel better now?”

She grimaces then nods. “Yeah—I mean, better about my own situation, at least. Myla might be screwed, though. I called Francine—the art teacher. She’s been there for twenty-five years and said they’ve always gone by seniority when they’ve had to do layoffs in the past. Nothing’s set in stone, of course, but since I’m the English teacher who’s been there the longest, it was good to hear.”

I release a breath. It would be criminal to lay off Ava. Not only is she an amazing teacher, I’ve watched her take troubled kids and help them funnel all of their energy into theater until they shared her passion. “When will you know for sure?”

She shrugs and swirls her beer in the sample glass. “I don’t know. There are only six weeks left in the school year. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they waited until the beginning of summer to make the cuts.”

“But you’re feeling okay?” I ask. “Not too worried?”

“Not too worried, but I’ll be sad to see anyone go.”

I nod. “I get that.”

“But my head was whirling from that news when I did something crazy.” She shakes her head. “It was impulsive, really, and I’m kind of freaking out now.”

I frown. Shit. Am I too late? Did she go to the sperm bank already? Don’t they have a waiting period or something?

Instead of revealing that I’m panicking inside, I try to keep it light. “Let me guess. You asked Mr. Mooney for some of his sperm.”

She scowls at the mention of her chauvinist principal and slugs me lightly in the chest. “You’re an ass.”

“Guilty as charged.” I laugh and take a pull of my porter. “But seriously, what’d you do?”

She takes a breath, then finishes the rest of her sample. “I blame Ellie,” she says. “She refused to leave my house until I did it. She almost made me late for work.”

“If you don’t start getting specific, I’m just going to fill in the blank with dirty things.”

Grinning, she rolls her eyes. “Stop it. I mean Straight Up Casual. I’m officially enrolled, and I even scheduled two dates. My first is next Saturday.”

My breath leaves me in a rush, and I fucking pray she doesn’t notice. I’ve watched Ava date for years and I’ve never liked it, but I’ve handled it. Hell, I even danced at her wedding. But somehow now, with the full understanding of her endgame, the old kick in the nuts packs a little more punch. “You’re supposed to close next Saturday.”

“I’ve asked Cindy if she’ll swap shifts with me, and she’s cool with it if you are.” That cute little line appears between her brows as she frowns. “You are okay with me taking a Saturday night off, aren’t you?”

“Sure.” I’m not just okay with it—I’ve encouraged her to do it more often. She works too damn much. Between school and theater and Jackson Brews, she barely does anything but work. But for a Straight Up Casual date? For Ava?