Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
ZOE
I swear he rolled his eyes without actually rolling his eyes. For an instant he reminded me of Josh at the beginning of the school year. Defiant, but with a hint of anticipation.
“How does that sound to you, Mr. Johansson?”
Using my last name had to be a strategic move. She was good. “Jesus, call me Baz. No one even called my old man Mr. Not that he deserved the respect. So, no reason to break tradition now.
Oh-Kay. There was a story there. Probably, like I had my own issues with my mom. But I’m sure neither of us wanted nor had the time to work through childhood disappointments. Maybe I should ask him out for a drink?
“Zoe, or should I call you Ms. Riordan since we’re on school property? I’ve got a project I need to get back to. Can you tell me in three sentences or less what this play is about and what my role is? And please tell me you’re joking about this robe thing.”
No Santa suit period would be even better.
“You don’t even know what the plot is yet.
How can you possibly be this…this much of a grinch?
I would think you’d do it for your nephew.
You know, the one who idolizes you and every other sentence begins with, “My uncle can do this, or he saved a bunch of soldiers in the war, or a dozen other topics that you’re supposedly good at. ”
“First, I’m not a grinch. Or a grump. And second, how would I know the kid was bragging about me? I’m just ….” He paused, then tipped his head back and blew out an audible breath.
Long seconds ticked by, and I almost felt sorry for him. No, stand your ground, Zoe. Don’t let him run you off.
“You’re just what? Perpetually annoyed?” Darn it, why’d you have to poke the not grinchy and not grumpy but incredibly sexy and off-limits uncle of one of your favorite students, Zo?
“Misunderstood,” he muttered. Visibly out of sorts, Baz suddenly appeared…
.sheepish. And uncertain. So, unlike the man from the other night, who with one long look had ignited desires within me I had no idea I had.
As if they’d been buried so deep only he had the patience to uncover them, and oh, what the hell was I doing?
These thoughts were only going to get me in trouble and frustrate me more than I already was.
So, I tried another, more practical approach. “Or maybe it’s just your defense mechanism? A lot of people use them subconsciously. Especially when they’re asked to do something new or out of their comfort zone.” I’d seen it before. People use all sorts of strategies to keep others at arm’s length.
My mother had shown my siblings and me her multiple faces when it came to dealing with people. Some lessons were subconscious, and others I recognized for what they were. Sheilds. I used many myself.
But Baz, after just two short interactions, two desire-filled interactions, had me lowering mine.
“What gives you that idea?” His tone had shifted, and with fingers crossed, maybe my new approach was working.
“Oh, I’ve had my fair share of parents putting on a show to impress or push away any thoughts I might hold that they’re not good parents.
People in general don’t want others to pick up on their insecurities or failings.
It’s a gift. Or a curse, depending on how you want to look at it.
” I hadn’t intended to get this deep over his unwillingness to wear a costume or someone I’d dreamed about getting naked with, but there it was.
“Smart and pretty. No wonder Josh can’t stop talking about Ms. Riordan.” Baz’s expression softened, and his stoic demeanor morphed into a breath-stealing smile.
“How about we agree that I ‘might’ be Santa, and I’ll get back to you in a day or two?”
“We're a bit pressed for time to cast this role. If I don’t hear from you by Friday, then I’ll know you’ve chosen to disappoint the nephew who worships you, and I’ll find someone else.”
“Ouch. You always play this dirty when dealing with uncooperative parents or uncles of your students?”
“Mr. Johansson, you have no idea what I’ve had to do to get parents to pay attention to their children.
Some days it’s truly disheartening to witness the lack of interest they have.
” Shaking off the chill my words produced, I held out my left hand.
“Give me your phone so I can add my number. Please text me your decision in two days. And if you don’t, then I’ll take your name off my cast list. Deal? ”
Baz’s eyes lowered, but not before I noticed a flash of anger, or maybe it was sadness at the picture my words painted.
I was aware that Josh’s dad wasn’t in his life, hadn’t been for a long time.
When Astrid told me about how her brother had stepped in to be the father figure his nephew needed, I’d had high hopes for the sexy mountain man to become our Santa.
Without a word, handed over his cell. I quickly typed in my contact information. How I did so without any typos was a miracle considering the way his intense stare made my fingers shake.
“Friday.” Baz nodded as I handed the phone back.
After he left, I couldn’t shake our conversation or how alive I felt. How I felt things I hadn’t felt in…maybe ever. How could a man like him pull off such sexy aloofness while maintaining the illusion of a grump? That took talent.
There was just something about Baz that lit me up from the inside out.
He had my nerve endings firing all at once.
He pretty much left me breathless and needy with his mere presence for the second time in less than a week, and he hadn’t even touched me.
Could a man like that make me change my mind about relationships?