Teacher's Pet

I knew she had a scar on her neck, was a kind and beautiful person, and what her kisses tasted like, but....that was about it. I didn't even know her middle name. Where was she born? Did she like peanut butter crunchy or smooth? I wanted to know. How had we known each other this long, and I had never thought to ask her any of that shit? That definitely had to change.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Abby

You're kind and good, Abby. I don't know when your birthday is or your parents' names, but I want to know. He wanted to know. He cared enough to want to get to know me.

I couldn't believe I was doing this again, but how could I not? I knew this wasn't permanent, but what in life was? This was what I wanted, and now I knew that it was what he wanted, too. I wanted to spend time and get to know him, as well. We still had some time and we wanted the same thing so...why not? Just this once, why not?

I practically skipped to work, I was feeling so good. I walked straight into the back to the changing room and found Makani there.

"Hey," I said. She turned and smiled at me.

"Hey. Did you get the notice from Joseph this morning?" she asked me.

"What notice?" I asked. I hadn't been paying the best attention, I realized.

"No desk duty today. We're taking a group out hiking," she said.

"Really? Cool," I said, shrugging. I walked over to my locker and started changing.

"You're in a good mood today," she quipped.

"I'm always in a good mood."

"I'd say a little better than usual. It couldn't be because of a certain guy who I left you with last night, could it?" she asked, grinning at me.

"I could ask you the same thing," I shot back. "Did you make it home last night?"

"His place was closer," she said shrugging. I laughed.

"Okay, I want details," I said.

"Well, when we got there, we talked a lot. We really managed to clear the air and talk about what we both still wanted from each other," she said coyly.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, skip to the good part," I said. She laughed.

"It was amazing," she gushed. "I swear, I didn't even realize how long it had been until we were back in his bed."

"Has he picked up any new skills since you were last together?" I asked cheekily.

"It was new since it had been a while, but it all felt so familiar. Our bodies just fit, you know? That part of the relationship had never been a problem. It felt like that was what I'd been missing."

"Sex?"

"Well, yeah, but not just that. Keno. Him as a person. His jokes, his weird stories, his company. The sex was incredible, but I feel like something bigger happened. I think we reconnected. I think we might be ready to give it another shot."

"He's been ready to give it another shot since you broke up," I said pointedly.

"I'm ready now, too. You were right about me being scared. But I know what it’s like to be without him now, and I hate it. Whatever happens, I know I want to still be with him." I smiled. Finally, the Cold War was over.

"I'm so happy you guys worked it out," I said.

"What about you and Nate?"

"We talked," I said.

"And then?" she urged.