Chapter 24
Vienna
A Meatball Sub & A Choice
As soon as I take my seat at my desk, ready to open up my mediocre turkey sandwich for lunch, the classroom phone rings. It’s Friday afternoon, tomorrow is Laney and Fletcher’s wedding, and my energy level is so low, I’m trying not to fall asleep at my desk.
“Hello?”
“Vienna? You have a visitor.”
“I do?”
Jessica, the front receptionist at the school, laughs. “Oh, yes. And he has a gun and handcuffs, so if I were you, I’d get here quickly.”
My heart is racing, but I don’t say another word before hanging up the phone, grabbing my keys, and rushing down the hallway to the front office, only to find Rhonan standing there in his uniform, holding a brown paper bag and looking far more delicious than anything he could have brought me to eat.
But then I see the logo on the bag, and my stomach does a little flip. “You brought me lunch?”
He holds the bag up higher. “Not just any lunch, but the meatball sub from The Happy Belly Deli.”
I cross the space to him. “You brought me your favorite sandwich?”
Nodding, he says, “And soon, it’s about to be your favorite too.”
For some reason, this gesture makes me want to cry. Cole never did things like this for me—the small things, the everyday things, the things that make me question if he ever truly loved me.
I think you already know the answer to that question though, Vienna.
Rhonan cups my face just as Jessica clears her throat behind us. “Why don’t you two go enjoy your lunch together while you still have time?”
Rhonan shakes his head, but keeps his eyes locked on mine. “I wish I could, but I’m on duty. I just wanted to drop this off and then I need to get back on the road. I’m on patrol today. Chief’s orders.”
“Well, this was very sweet of you.”
“I guess I just needed an excuse to see you,” he says before pressing his lips gently to mine.
My eyes close and I savor this feeling—the feeling of being cherished, appreciated—loved.
God, does Rhonan love me?
It’s too fast, right?
I know how I feel, but this man has been through so much. I know he said he wanted to see where things could go with us, but I know what I want.
I want him.
I want Ellis.
I want a life in Blossom Peak.
When he leans back and looks at me, his eyes say so much more than his mouth ever could in this moment, so I hang onto that. “I wish I could see you tonight.”
“I know, but…”
“Wedding traditions,” he cuts in before taking me out of the office to the front of the school so they’re aren’t people listening for what he says next.
“Fletcher wanted all of us boys to stay together tonight. But once this wedding is over, you’re all mine.
” He drops his voice down to a whisper. “Tomorrow night I’m going to strip you out of your dress and fuck you all over your house.
And then Sunday, we can go back to my place, cook breakfast with Ellis… ”
“Pancakes with sprinkles?”
“Of course.”
“We’ll take her to Skye’s the Limit. She loves the obstacle course, and then I’ll cook dinner while the two of you paint rocks. We can watch a movie when Ellis goes to sleep…”
“Sounds perfect.” And it does. It sounds like the life and relationship that I’ve always wanted but never had with Cole. I press one more kiss to Rhonan’s lips and then take the bag from his hand. “Thank you again for this.”
“Thank you for being someone I want to get addicted to my favorite sandwich.” His wink makes the crinkles at his eye more pronounced before turning around, placing his aviator glasses back on his face, and exiting the front office.
“I don’t need to tell you how lucky you are to have landed that man, now do I?” Jessica says, reminding me that she’s been watching our entire exchange.
A wistful sigh leaves my lips. “No, I’m very much aware.”
“Rhonan Hart has been single ever since Ellis was born,” she continues. “If he’s got his eyes set on you, I’d say that’s a big deal.”
“Trust me, I know.”
“I’m happy for you then, Vienna. Everyone deserves a man that looks at them like that.”
I glance back at the door that he just walked out of, a nagging thought in the back of my mind. “Not sure I’m the one who deserves it, though.”
“Why not?”
Turning back to her, I plaster on a fake smile. “Just stuff from my past creating doubt.” I shrug. “You know how that is, right?”
“Sure. Just don’t dwell on the past too much. Otherwise, you’re going to miss out on the present happening right in front of you.”
With my lunch in hand, I hurry back to my classroom, unwrap the sandwich, and take the first bite as my mouth waters from the smell.
“Dear God…” I moan as the combination of flavors hits my tongue. I pick up my phone and instantly text Rhonan.
Me: I get the obsession. Holy shit. SO good.
Rhonan: Glad to know you agree.
Me: I think this is the second-best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.
Rhonan: The first better be my cock.
Me: Actually, I was referring to Carolina’s cheesecake, but good to know your ego is intact.
Rhonan: Then maybe I need to feed you my cock again to remind you of how good I taste coming down your throat.
I clench my thighs together under the desk.
Me: You’re right. I think I do need the reminder.
Rhonan: I definitely know that your pussy is my favorite meal now.
Me: Rhonan, I’m at work. You can’t do this to me, get me all riled up when I’m not going to see you tonight.
Rhonan: I’m fucking hard right now too, baby. But just think of how good it’s going to be when I get you alone Saturday night. Fuck, I miss you already.
Me: I miss you too.
Rhonan: Have fun tonight and be safe. I can’t have anything happening to you. Not under my watch.
Those aren’t the exact words that have been on a loop in my mind, but for Rhonan? I’m not sure how much closer he could get to telling me how he feels.
Me: I will. I promise. You be safe too.
Rhonan: Always. Have a good rest of your day, baby.
Me: You too.
I place my phone on my desk and inhale the rest of the sandwich until that pest of a thought about my ex from earlier comes back to me. Picking up my phone again, I find the number I’m looking for and press call.
“Vienna?” Elliot answers after the third ring. “Everything okay?”
“I want you to send the papers, Elliot,” I say while wiping my face free of sauce from the sandwich.
He blows out a breath. “Okay. Are you sure?”
My eyes land back on the clock on the computer, realizing I only have five minutes left before the end of lunch when I have to go pick up my students again from the playground.
“Yes, Elliot. Send them.”
“But what about…”
“I don’t care anymore. I can’t hide forever, and I need to put that part of my life behind me.”
I can hear the rustling of papers in the background through the phone. “Have you told Rhonan yet?”
“No, but I’m planning on it. Soon. Maybe after the wedding… I don’t know.” I bite my thumb. “Do you think he’s going to be mad?”
“I mean, you told him that you were married, but still being married is a pretty important detail.”
Sighing, I fight back my tears. “I know, Elliot. And I’m so sorry for putting you in the middle of this. I just needed someone who might understand and someone that could help me get out of this nightmare I was living in for far too long.”
“I told you that day in my office that I do understand, Vienna, especially given who your husband is. The Cassidy family is powerful and if Cole behaved the way you said he did when you told him you were leaving, I don’t blame you for being cautious.
But I think if Rhonan knows, you’ll feel better too.
Plus, I hate keeping something like this from him. ”
I nod, even though he can’t see me. “You’re right. I promise, I’m going to tell him.”
“If you need some support when you tell him, let me know. I have no problem being there for you.”
“You’re a good man, Elliot Thorne.”
“Not so sure about that, but Rhonan is one of the best people on the planet and having you in his life has made part of him come alive again. Even though love didn’t work out for me, I still want to see my friend get what he deserves.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll let you know when the papers have been delivered.”
“Okay.”
I end the call just as the bell rings, signaling the end of lunch for my students. Shoving my phone in my pocket, I grab my classroom keys and make my way outside.
“Ms. Vienna!” Ellis comes running up to me as I make my way to the spot on the blacktop where my students line up.
“It’s Ms. Lewis when we’re at school, remember?” I whisper to her.
“Ugh, I keep forgetting.”
“It’s okay.”
“Are you gonna come over and paint rocks with me and Daddy tonight?”
“I can’t, sweetie. I’m going to your Aunt Laney’s house tonight for a girls’ night.”
She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “I don’t know why I can’t go if it’s only for girls.”
“Grown up girls,” I reply right as I arrive in front of my class. “Okay, kiddos. Are you ready to go back inside?”
“Can we play a little while longer?” Johnny whines from the back of the line.
“Yeah!” One of the other boys echoes. “We were playing a game and it was really fun. I don’t want to do math!”
The weather has been so rainy the past few days, even though we’re at the end of May, but that means that the kids haven’t been able to play outside for recess. Today the sun is shining, so maybe more time for them to run around and burn off their energy isn’t a bad idea.
I turn to the other two kindergarten teachers. They shrug.
“You know what? Yeah, let’s play outside for a little while longer!”
The kids scream in celebration and race back to the playground. Stacey comes up beside me. “Honestly, I was dreading going back inside with them right now, so thank you for making that decision.”
“I do think they need some more time to run around. The past few days have been brutal.”
“You’re telling me.” I stifle my yawn, and Stacey bumps her shoulder against mine. “You seem to be tired too. It wouldn’t have anything to do with that handsome neighbor of yours, would it?”