Admire Me (Rough Edges 2)
Chapter 10
Harper
The chemistry testtoday will provide some quiet time, so I can start putting together our labs for next week. I like to make learning fun and so we are going to work with some common chemicals to make some nice colored vapors. We did this in college, and everyone loved it, so I hope the kids do too.
The first couple periods go smooth, no one is trying to cheat, and Liam sends me a picture of him at the station playing poker with Damon. It really gets me thinking about how my feelings are bursting at the seams already. My phone vibrates.
Tessa: Still on for lunch?
Me: Yes! Wanna go to that Mexican restaurant down the street?
The bell rings, and students come to the front to turn in their test, and then file out of the classroom.
Tessa: Yes, meet me out front and I’ll drive us over.
After the last student leaves, I grab my purse, lock the door, and head out. Tessa is waiting in front of the school for me.
“I could’ve walked.”
“Nonsense. It gives us more time there if we drive.”
When I get inside, I notice the wedding binder in the backseat and think about what Liam mentioned yesterday. This would be a good chance to bring it up nonchalantly and offer some help. I hate seeing her so stressed out about something that is supposed to make her happy.
When we pull up to the restaurant and get out, I grab the binder. “Let’s look over wedding plans at lunch. Maybe we can knock some out.”
After getting our table and drinks, I open up the binder to see everything in order. She is meticulous about having each part of the planning color coded.
“So, first decision is venue.” I flip through the pictures, getting a feel for each of them, and pointing out what I like about each of them. “In my opinion, I think it’s better to use this one. It’s more elegant, and it comes with a list of vendors that you can use and that are vetted by the venue itself.”
She nods. “Okay, that’s the one I like, too. Damon doesn’t seem to care either way. So let’s go ahead and mark that one.”
“I can take some of this off your hands, and call and set it up. Just give me a list of things I need to do, and I can take care of it this weekend. Less stress on you.”
She closes the binder and changes the subject.
“So, how are things going with you and Liam?”
I push my hair behind my ear. “Almost too good to be true. Now I know how you felt when you found Damon.”
One thing I can say is that their parents raised them right, and the community is lucky to have them watching their backs.
“Liam is a good guy. Obviously, I haven’t known him too long, but he wants to settle down. He reminds me a lot of Damon in the sense, it’s almost like he doesn’t feel like he deserves happiness. They don’t want to burden anyone with their demons,” Tessa says.
I might be falling in love with him. Deep down, I know it’s too soon, but I can’t help it.
We end the conversation, and try to eat our food before heading back to the school to finish out the rest of our workday. Mine goes by fairly fast since it’s just testing, and I ask Liam to come over for a home cooked meal tonight.
Before I know the final bell rings, and school is over. I pack up my things and head to the market to pick up some vegetables and pork chops. Liam should be over shortly, and I want to make sure I beat him to my house. That will give me some time to clean it up a bit, and get a load of laundry started.
Is it weird I’m okay with wearing leggings and t-shirt around him? Normally, ladies want to dress up for dates and look their best, but he doesn’t seem to mind. I’d rather be comfortable, especially after walking in heels all day at work.
I throw my hair up in a bun, load the washer, empty the dryer, and then fold the clothes before my doorbell rings promptly at seven.
“Come in,” I yell from the kitchen, folding the last pair of pants.
He walks in, wearing gym shorts and a white t-shirt. “Hey, gorgeous.”
I lean over to kiss him, before taking the basket of folded clothes to my bedroom, and he follows me along.