Chapter 6 Lists and Lattes
Chapter Six: Lists and Lattes
Graham’s heart went thumpety-thump when she peered at him over the rim of her drink. Just like Frosty the Snowman running across the intersection, barreling through a traffic stop.
“So you’re admitting that if I bring you gourmet coffee every morning for the next two weeks, by the time the party gets here you’ll let me show you my moves on the dance floor?”
Her laughter tinkled between them. “Maybe. As long as your moves are more creative than just line dancing.”
“What I’m lacking in talent I make up for with enthusiasm.”
“That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement,” she said with a cackle.
“It’s not, but I promise to do my best not to embarrass you.”
She shrugged and grinned again. “I guess I can’t ask for more than that. I accept your truce.”
“Should we shake on it?” Graham asked as he stretched his hand in her direction. He’s on the verge of pulling it back when she grasps it gingerly.
He flipped her hand over and stroked the bluish veins at her wrist with the pad of his thumb. Her pulse fluttered at his touch before she wriggled away and he felt a thrum of satisfaction at her discomfort because it meant he was climbing over her walls.
“I should get ready for my students,” she said, nervously cradling her wrist where he’d touched it.
“Somehow I managed to escape being assigned a homeroom this year and I don’t know how I got away unscathed.”
She snorted delicately. “I know the answer to that. You escaped because your Principal Miller’s favorite and until I came long, wore the undisputed crown as Teacher of the Year.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Just so you know, Snow, I’m not bitter about the fact you stole the title from me last year. I like a challenge,” Graham smirked.
“I didn’t steal it — I won it fair and square,” she said indignantly.
Graham chucked her chin as he passed, “I know, but I like getting under your skin.”
“You’re good at it,” she acknowledged as she swiped up her bag and spun toward her desk.
He was tempted to linger in the doorway, but consoled himself with the fact he’d be seeing her after school. Tonight was the planning session.
***
Graham took the seat across from her at the empty breakroom table and slid his list and an iced latte across it.
“You got us more coffee?” She asked in surprise.
“I needed it and I figured you did too. The closer it gets to the holidays the more rowdy and inattentive my classes get.”
She slid a piece of pale pink notebook paper over to him. “This is my list, and trust me, asking them to diagram a sentence this time of year is like asking a three year old to stop believing in Santa Claus. An impossible feat.”
They shared a commiserating look before picking up each other’s lists. There was a huff of laughter, and Graham’s mouth tipped into a grin too.
“You worded some things differently, but your list is essentially the same as mine,” she informed him.
“Great minds think alike?”
“That has to be it,” she said with an answering grin.
“I think it’s telling that neither one of us has alcohol anywhere on that list.”
She grimaced. “Last year’s tipsy suggestions about how to resolve our relationships gave me the ick. How we deal, or don’t deal, with our conflict is no one’s business but our own.”
“And no one wants to start their Christmas break with a hangover either.”
“Do you have any board games we can use? I have a couple, but I thought maybe we could see if the library would let us borrow some of theirs.”
“That sounds great. I have Monopoly stashed in one of my closets, and a chess board I keep in my living room, but that’s it.”
“I have Sorry, Candyland and Chutes and Ladders, so we just need a few more. What about the cookie exchange? Your list said candy exchange, but I think the cookies would be more fun.”
“The cookies would definitely be more fun. Will we allow store bought ones for people who aren’t fond of baking or are a disaster in the kitchen like me?”
She widened her eyes in feigned astonishment. “You mean there’s something you’re not good at?”
“I never said I was perfect.”
“Your obsession with the Teacher of the Year title says otherwise.”
He was about to take offense when she held up a hand and giggled. “You should see your face. I was only kidding.”
Maybe he was prickly because it was the only thing he’d ever won. Despite his height, Graham had always been too clumsy to play sports, and he wasn’t outgoing enough for them anyway.
“I wasn’t lying, by the way. I really am a disaster in the kitchen.”
“I could give you some baking lessons if you agree to be a taste tester. There are a couple of recipes I want to try out since we agreed the cookie exchange is a good idea.”
“Baking lessons probably won’t make a difference, but I volunteer to be your taste tester any time you need one.”
She nodded, like she’d just decided something. “Come over Saturday morning around ten. I’ll get all the ingredients tomorrow after school.”
Graham was a little taken aback at her invitation. “You’re inviting me to your house?”
She smirked. “That’s where my kitchen is. I’ll text you the address.”
He swallowed because just the thought of words felt like gravel in his throat. “Sounds good,” he finally managed to choke out.
She wrinkled her brow. “Are you okay?”
He’d never be okay again. Being in her personal space, seeing her in her natural environment, felt like a huge step.
He knew the invitation meant more to him than it did to her, but he wanted to rub his suddenly sweaty palms against his slacks and thank her effusively.
Like a lunatic. “I’m fine. I’ll be there at ten sharp. ”
He pushed away from the table and stood.
“You didn’t finish your coffee.”
He grabbed the cup, still flustered. He could feel the tips of his ears turning red. “I’ll take it with me. I need to get home and feed my cat.”
“Okay,” she said as she eyed him doubtfully.
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” he told her with a wave of his hand.
When Graham got to his truck he set the coffee in the cupholder and banged his head against the steering wheel. He hadn’t felt this jittery and awkward since he was an acne prone fourteen year old with a crush on the head cheerleader.