28. Summer
Chapter 28
Summer
I wake to the rev of an engine. My eyelids pop open, neither one at the same time, as I fight the streams of sunlight blinding me from behind the sheer curtains.
Bah, I’m tired. I blink away the haze, and with another roar of the engine outside, I shove off the covers and fall out of bed to scramble to the window, in time to see Kieran’s Audi squeal out of the driveway.
I huff out a breath, looking down at my bra and underwear then over to where my jeans and sweater lay balled up on top of the dresser. Guess I’m wearing this outfit again.
Before I get dressed, I pad over to the nightstand where my phone rests nearly dead. Tapping it, I note the time. 6:47 a.m. Pretty sure I’ll be able to catch Allie and Aoife before they leave for school. And I plan to go with them.
My phone vibrates in my hand, and I swipe to read a text from Kieran.
Box on kitchen island. Wear it. Finn will bring you to Luxe Atelier tonight at 5 p.m.
My eyes widen at the high-end boutique’s name. I’ll admit that while I could never afford anything from that store, I’d scoped it out once or twice from across the street. Fine clothes, tailor-made dresses—all things that consumed my thoughts when I was younger. It’s the one thing my mother and I had in common. A taste for the finer things in life.
But now, those brand names and delicacies bring nothing but the lodged shame I try to hide to the forefront of my mind, and I rather avoid it all together. Plus, one dress would cost half a year’s worth of my teacher’s salary.
In a rush, I shove my legs through my pants and toss my sweater over my tangled hair. With a quick glide of the new brush Allie left me, I pull my hair back into a ponytail and brush away my morning breath.
I fly out of the room without making my bed and cringe when I think about it, but I don’t want to miss Allie and Aoife going to school. I’m not sure if there’d be someone to take me, and I don’t want to make another guard a chauffeur for the day.
When I reach the bottom of the stairs, chatter still sounds from the kitchen, and I march in there with a smile on my face hearing Aoife talk about her desire to buy her lunch rather than eat what Allie’s made her. For all the time I’ve known Aoife, she’s always brought her lunch to school, and from the exasperated tone Allie has, I’m sure she’s begged more than once to buy.
“Good morning!” I say, entering the kitchen.
Allie is zipping up a mermaid lunch pail while Aoife chews the last bit of her cereal. From the look Allie gives me, eyebrows raised, she’s most likely surprised at my chipper tone considering my circumstances.
However, I’m not sure what Kieran’s told Aoife, and I’d like to keep my interactions with her as upbeat and normal as possible. So, I’m Miss-Smithing it this morning.
“Hi!” Aoife squeals, jumping off the island while her spoon skids across the counter, leaving brushes of milk behind. “Daddy said you were here. I’m so excited!”
Smiling, I bop her on the nose with a single finger, and while she giggles and bounds for her backpack, I wince. Why did I just do that? That’s not something I’d normally do in the classroom.
“Can I get you anything, Miss Summer? Tea, or coffee perhaps?” Allie slides Aoife’s lunch box across the counter closer to where Aoife is with her bag.
“I, uh. I can get it,” I say, feeling out of place. She nods but busies herself with the tea contraption on the stove anyway. “So … what time do you leave for school? I’d like to tag along if that’s all right.”
“Finn usually drives us around seven-fifteen.” Bustling around the kitchen, she pours a mug of tea, then sets it in front of where I stand, useless, at the island. “Creamer or milk is in the fridge.”
“Thank you. And I won’t be long at the school. Just want to check in for a moment.”
She smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Aoife, come on. Let’s brush those chompers.”
“Be right back!” Aoife yells, taking off in a lopsided run out into the hallway.
I smile into my mug as I take a sip of what tastes like cinnamon tea while they both ascend the steps up to the bathroom.
Pacing the kitchen, I poke around in a few drawers, delighted when I find a drawer of take-out menus and condiment packets for almost every fast-food delivery known to man. Kieran, in all his annoyingly seductive glory, has a body of lean muscle and for some reason that doesn’t seem to equate to a drawer full of take-out menus. Add to that the irony he owns more than a handful of restaurants in Boston—I’m not sure how this family has the capacity for fast-food.
I continue around, finally coming back to my original spot near the island when a small black box catches my eye. It’s easy to miss, nestled beside an empty black decorative bowl.
Box on kitchen island. Wear it.
Was he talking about this? I pull the box toward me with one finger, sliding it as if it may bite. There are limited options for what may be in a tiny black box, and I stare at it, feeling its impending doom.
Open it, I chide.
Gnawing my cheek and twisting my sweater around my thumb, I continue to stare at it. I don’t want to open this.
Jeez. I snatch the box and pop it open before I can think any more about it.
Oh, double jeez.
In the box is the most gorgeous cushion-cut emerald ring. The green is darker, more mysterious than a brilliant vivid color. It’s set in a yellow gold prong setting, sleek yet warm, polished yet rough in its own textured way. It’s beautiful.
Am I supposed to wear this?
Wear it. Kieran’s command via text causes me to growl, yet I can’t stop the thrill thrumming under my skin as I tuck it onto my left ring finger and study it.
It’s stunning.
How did he get this so quickly? Does he just have a ring sitting around his room? Or was it meant for someone else? My memory flashes back to Allie mentioning the clothes from Laura.
Ugh. I’m wearing something he picked out for someone else, aren’t I?
Shaking my hand out in an attempt to rid myself of those stomach-churning questions, I smack my already sore knuckles against the island.
“Ouch!”
“You okay, dear?” Allie flutters back in the kitchen with a sparkly toothed Aoife in tow.
“Yep. Smacked my hand is all.”
Allie looks to the island where the velvet box sits opened and vacant, then to my left hand where I’ve taken ownership of the engagement ring. She considers, expression unreadable, before she offers me a smile. “It looks nice.”
“It does,” I whisper, shifting back and forth, then popping a hip to the side. “Is it time to go?”
“Finn should be here any minute?—”
A quick double honk from outside startles me.
“That would be him now. Come on, Aoife. Get your coat, please.”
I slide my coat on, and step into my shoes, then while Allie puts her own on, I wrap Aoife up in hers.
“Ready?” I ask.
She nods and opens the door, darting out to high-five Finn’s hand as he holds it up for her beside the back seat door of the black town car. He offers me a smile and his hand as well.
I roll my eyes.
“Ye coming with us this morning?”
I nod, tapping my foot. I’m not sure why I’m so fidgety. Probably because I’m going to show up to my place of, hopefully not prior, employment with the nanny and escort of one of my students. I sigh, following where both Allie and Aoife have already disappeared into the car.
Here goes nothing.
* * *
Experiencing preschool and kindergarten drop-off from this side of things is a nightmare. Parents bark strict orders at their young kids to “hurry up and get out of the car” or drag them faster than their little feet can walk because most of the parents at this school are late for a meeting.
Much like dismissal, where parents need to walk into the school to pick up their kids, drop-off is the same way, and after witnessing the stress of it all, I’m glad I was able to wait by my classroom door to greet joyful smiles and skipping feet into my room.
After Finn parks, Allie bundles Aoife up, and before she opens the door, I gently grab at her arm. “Mind if I walk her in?”
Allie freezes, eyes meeting Finn’s in the rearview mirror. After a what feels like forever, she says, “Yeah. Sure. We’ll be right here.”
“Yippie!” Aoife shouts, gathering up her backpack and tripping over the long strap as she gets out. I flail an arm out to catch her.
“Goodness! Don’t want to skin your knees up before the start of the day.”
She takes my hand, and my heart swells. The light feel of her soft skin trusting me. I savor it, trying to hide my beaming smile behind closed lips as we enter the building.
Most parents let their kids go in the lobby, ushering them forward and turning away before they can make it down the hallway, but I hold on tight to Aoife’s hand and walk her down the hallway toward my classroom.
Tommy, one of my students, notices me. “Miss Summer! You’re back!” His excitement garners the attention of an older woman with short silver hair trimmed back behind her ears in a pixie-like cut. I give her a timid smile.
“Not yet, Tommy. Just helping out Mr. O’Donnell today and dropping Aoife off. You doing all right?”
His face falls a bit, but he nods. “Will you be back soon?” he asks, finally making it to where the substitute waits outside the door to welcome him.
I swallow the uncomfortable knot in my throat. I’ve never lied to my kids, and I don’t plan on starting now. “I’m not sure, buddy. Hopefully.”
Tommy’s mouth twitches into a smile, and he pushes his glasses up his nose.
“Good morning, Tommy. Go ahead and put your stuff in your cubby and sit on the circle for our morning time,” the substitute says.
He offers me a goodbye wave and bounds into the classroom.
“Hi, Aoife,” the woman says. “How are you this morning?”
“Good!” Aoife still doesn’t let go of my hand.
“I’m Ms. Margaret. You must be the wonderful teacher I’m subbing for.”
Well, it’s hard to be annoyed with her when she’s so sweet. Part of me wishes she’d be snooty so I could … I don’t know, maybe feel better about myself. But no. She’s sweet, and the kindness in her eyes is the type you can’t fake. She reminds me of Giulia, my old housekeeper and nanny.
“Summer Smith.” I hold my hand out to her, and she takes it. “It’s nice to meet you. I apologize for the lack of preparation. I hadn’t exactly planned to be out.”
She brushes off my apology with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Nonsense. You take all the personal time you need. Well, within your contract of course. Wouldn’t want to get you fired.” She chuckles and gestures to Aoife. “All right, Aoife let’s get inside for circle time. What do you say?”
Aoife nods wildly, then turns and smooshes her face into my lower stomach to grip me for a long hug. “Bye!”
The two of them move into the classroom, and I look up toward Shelly’s classroom down the hall. Before I can talk myself out of it, I stride that direction, meeting her door decorated in construction paper ladybugs with each of her student’s names on them.
Biting my pinky nail, which is a habit I’m not proud of, I nudge open her door. Her students work to put away their bags and lunches, and when she spots me, her eyes widen. To say she rushes me would be an understatement. In fact, she damn near tackles me, shoving me into the hallway and smothering me with a vise-like hug.
“Oh, my goodness! I was so worried about you! Principal Green said Mr. O’Donnell called in for you, letting him know you’d be out?—”
Wait, what?
“—and then I hadn’t heard from you. Are you okay? What’s going on?”
“Shelly, I’m okay.” I pull away from her intense hug and smile at her. Maybe if she actually sees my face, she’ll stop her worrying. “I had some of my ugly past come up and Kieran is, umm, helping me.” I bring my hand up to swipe my now disheveled hair out of my face.
Shelly’s hand flies out to snatch my wrist midair. “What the H.E.L.L is this?” Her focus is on the commanding emerald ring sitting on my ring finger, the ring finger.
“I, uh … jeez you’re strong.”
“Are you engaged?”
Well, crap.
No, not really, I want to say. But Kieran’s reminder to convince the world we are, plays in the background of those words. I opt for the ever-vague answer of, “Sort of.”
She squeals and it echoes in the hall. Everything in me wants to flee. To shrink back around the corner, I came from. I flinch when she swats my arm.
“Sneaky. I thought you weren’t a fan of him, and here you are engaged.”
I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “It’s complicated.”
Shelly’s face falls. “So, then why aren’t you working?”
I grimace. “You know that ugly past I mentioned, well it’s—I need some personal time.”
She throws up her hands. “Hey, girl. I hear you. I better get back in there before they tear the classroom apart. Don’t be a stranger and text me. We’ll go out some time.”
I smile and nod, then spread my arms for a hug as she tumbles into me for a squeeze.
On my way back out the door, I’m grateful the halls are mostly empty. I take a few moments to hover near the main office entrance debating whether I should go in.
Ultimately, I decide I don’t have the patience to answer more questions from the staff or even Principal Green for that matter. And, honestly, I’m not sure what Kieran’s told them, so I trudge back to the car.
When I open the back door, Allie is chewing at the corner of her lip, and she pauses the fingers that tap on her knee. I get in without saying anything and meet Finn’s gaze in the rearview mirror. Suddenly, I’m feeling insecure. Like I’m an inconvenience.
Part of me feels like I should apologize, but I’m not sure what for. So I shrug it off, directing a smile at them both.
The car ride back to Kieran’s place is longer than I remember, and when I walk back into the house I’m lost as to what to do. Allie shrugs off her coat and hangs it by the back kitchen door and then moves to pull out a Crock-Pot.
“I’m going to get dinner going for this evening. Is there anything you need?”
“Do you need any help?” I ask, tucking my thumbs up into my sweater. I’m not sure she needs it, but what am I supposed to do? I’m out of a job, for now, and alone in a foreign home with my fake fiancé’s housekeeper slash nanny.
I tighten my fists at my sides, digging my short blunt nails into my palm. I’m worthless, and it’s all because Kieran put me inside this little box. Not that I’m unimpressed—I am. He saved me from my father, and genuinely seems to want to help despite my last name, and I’m grateful. But another part of me stews over the fact my life’s been upheaved. Not to mention Kieran’s disposition seems to have done a complete one-eighty.
The infuriating father of one of my students, who used to word play with me and exhibit, at times, tenderness, has since been bottled up, shaken, and dumped out in favor of a seething Irish Mob boss.
I sigh. Maybe that’s not fair. It’s not like I’m an innocent here. Still, my mind drags the memories of our almost kiss on the yacht out to play, and I can’t help but stroke the flames that penetrate my thoughts. Could he still see me like … something? Even now, knowing my history, my issues, and my last name.
“No, that’s okay. Why don’t you go upstairs and rest.” Allie’s answer to my question brings me back to the kitchen where I stabilize myself on the fridge. “I’ll bring you some tea and breakfast in a bit.”
I want to argue with her. To tell her I’d be fine with coffee and a Pop-Tart, but the stern look she gives me shuts my mouth.
With heavy feet, I drag myself to my room and toss my body onto the bed.
I stare at the decorative plasterwork framing the ceiling, focusing on the tiny details, when my phone dings and the number I’ve been texting in secret pops up.
Luna.
Guess there really isn’t any reason to hide now, is there?
She gets straight to the point asking about the “engagement” and I sigh glancing at the ring then change the subject, more interested in making up for lost time and hearing about her.
We text for a while. Then, after I’ve been sufficiently stuffed with tea, scones, and a lunch to rival all lunches, I count down the hours until I’m to go to Atelier . I end up drifting to sleep while staring at the green gem on my finger.