Chapter Three Cassian
I glance up at the house in front of me.
After the weekend, I couldn’t wait to come pick up the cookies I ordered.
I was happy when she texted me that I could pick them up on Sunday afternoon.
Jaylen wanted to go out, but the bar wasn’t my scene.
I couldn’t even pretend I was enjoying it.
The girls weren’t my type. I don’t go for high school girls, and that’s what all of them looked like.
Jaylen couldn’t believe the number of teenagers at the bar.
He is not used to young girls hanging out in the bars and neither of us are used to them flirting with men older than them.
I just hope none of those girls are in my class.
I walk up to the front door and ring the bell. I can hear someone moving inside before the door opens to the beauty of the bakery. Her blonde hair is up in a ponytail with a few loose hanging strands framing her face. Her crystal blue eyes widen as she sees me.
“Oh shit. You’re early.” She wipes her hands on her apron before opening the door for me to enter. I walk inside and wait for her to lead the way. “I’m done, just packing them.”
“I was in the area. I can come back later if you want.” I really hope she says I can stay. Since meeting her on Friday, I have wanted to get to know her.
She waves me off as she nods towards the kitchen. “Nah, you can always help me.” She smirks as she motions for me to sit at the kitchen counter. She puts a plate with finished cookies in front of me. And I can’t help but smile. She made them look like books with Romeo and Juliet on them.
“These are perfect. One of my groups will be doing Romeo and Juliet.” I state as I point to the cookies.
She laughs as she walks over to me with small bags.
“I loved Romeo and Juliet and remember doing the play in high school.”
She stands next to me, and her coconut-strawberry scent tickles my nose.
I’ve never smelled anything this wonderful.
I don’t even know her, but I want to know her.
I want to know if this feeling is mutual and if it’s real.
It’s not something I’ve ever felt before.
Not even with my ex, who I thought was it for me.
“You can put these in the little baggies while I do those.”
She points to the other plates, and I nod. “Let’s do this, Miss Cupcake.” She throws her head back and laughs again before going to where her plates are.
The conversation between the two of us flows easily.
She tells me about her bakery and how she hasn’t lived in Fallon long.
She moved here when things with her previous job didn’t go as planned.
She didn’t elaborate on it, and I didn’t push.
Everyone has a past. It's just a matter of whether you’re going to let the past rule your present and future.
The time went by way too fast. Before we knew it, it was dark outside, and we had packed all the cookies. She made a different design for each of my classes and packed them separately for the classes.
“I’m about to order some pizza. Would you like to share it?” She asks as she holds up the menu.
“That sounds like a plan.” I would have done anything to spend more time with her. “Let me just phone Jaylen to tell him I’ll be back later.” I pull my phone out and look for Jaylen’s number.
“What pizza would you like?”
“Anything. I’m not picky.” She wiggles her eyebrows with a sweet grin, and I dial Jaylen’s number. His phone rings twice before he picks up.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Hey, I’m having dinner at Zenovia’s. I’ll be back a bit later,” I inform him.
He chuckles, and I know what that asshole is thinking.
“I will have dinner for one then. See you later. Don’t scare her off.”
He laughs as I say goodbye. I push my phone into my back pocket before I turn around to head back to Zenovia.
I lean against the doorframe, watching her as she bends over the counter, talking on the phone.
She is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
I’ve never been this attracted to anyone as I am to her.
There’s something about her that makes me want to be near her.
She straightens herself before she turns around and smiles when she sees me. I push off the door frame and walk over to her as she hangs up the phone.
“Pizza will be about twenty minutes.” She pats my chest as she walks past me to the living room.
I follow her and sit down next to her. We talk about tomorrow while we wait for the pizza.
I tell her a little about my classes and what I have planned for the year.
Spending this time with her is all I need.
***
The bell rings, and I lift my head, waiting for the students to arrive.
I almost didn’t want to get up this morning.
I had too much fun with Zenovia last night.
Neither of us noticed the time, and before we knew it was three in the morning.
When I left I wanted so badly to kiss her, but I settled for a date. She’s my new favorite person.
The students start filling in, and I smile at them as they each sit at their desks. I wait until all of them arrive before I clear my throat.
“Good Morning, I’m Mr. Cassian Austin.” I greet them, and they all stare at me.
I don’t miss the sparkle in some of the girls’ eyes.
I’m used to it. I never ever act on it. I’m lucky enough to have the seniors for my first period.
“We have a full program this year, and I want you all to know you can come to me with any questions you don’t understand. I’ll gladly help you all.”
And they still stare at me as if I’m from another planet.
“Let’s take today to get to know each other, and then we can jump right into our curriculum tomorrow. Any questions?”
The back row shares a look, but a strawberry-blonde girl in the middle row is the first to put up her hand. I point at her, and she gets up.
“I’m Valerie Tolken, how old are you?”
I get up and walk around my desk. I lean against my desk in front of my class. I get this question a lot. I’m one of the younger teachers around. “I’m twenty-nine.” The students don’t always show respect when the teacher isn’t much older than them.
She giggles before she sits down again. A few more students ask some questions about where I’m from. If I’m helping with some of the sports. I answer them as best as I can. I feel that a get-to-know period is always needed.
The bell rings, and the class groans, knowing they have to go to their next class. “On your way out, grab a cookie.” I point to the basket by the door.
The rest of the day goes by pretty fast. I have fun with all my classes. The students aren’t as rowdy as I thought they would be. I grab my bag and walk to the door when one of my seniors stands in the doorway. If I remember correctly, her name is Evy Sutton.
“Is there a problem?” I ask as I stop near the door.
She brushes a piece of her red hair out of her eyes before she smiles. “I just wanted to find out about the reading we need to do. I’ve done Romeo and Juliet a few times. Can I do something else?”
“Unfortunately not. That’s what’s on the reading list and what the exams will be about. But you can read anything for your book report, as long as it’s Shakespeare.” I motion for her to walk out while I follow her. She beams up at me as I lock my door.
“That will be great. Thank you, Mr. Austin.”
“It’s no problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I brush past her making sure not to touch her, ready for this day to be over.
I walk to my truck and get in when I see a text from Jaylen.
He also started his new job today. He loves the police station he is at.
I quickly sent him a text to tell him I was heading home after I stopped by the bakery.
I have to see Zenovia or else I might just go crazy.