Chapter 30
Ari
I’ve learned the hard way not to romanticize things.
Especially when it comes to men.
After everything with Andy, I don’t let myself read into things that aren’t there or even hope for more. Hoping is dangerous.
Which is why I’m absolutely not reading into the fact that Wade Stevenson has shown up in my classroom every single day this week when it didn’t make sense for our fake arrangement.
Let’s review the facts (as I remember them happening), incident by incident.
Incident #1 - After school on Monday:
Wade pops his head into my classroom. “Need anything?”
I stare at him blankly from my desk. “No.”
“Oh, uh…” He points behind him. “Mrs. Albany said you might need something.”
“Nope.”
“Okay.” He just stands there, hands in his pockets, until finally he takes two steps inside my classroom. “What are you doing right now?”
“What did you actually come here for?”
“Uh.” He glances up at the ceiling then backtracks to the door. “Actually, I have to go see if…to ask…”—he shakes his head—“doesn’t matter. I’ll catch you later.”
There’s an about-face, and then he leaves.
Incident #2 - During lunch on Tuesday:
I’m halfway through eating lunch at my desk when Wade appears in my classroom, carrying a white box. Without a word, he sets it on the corner of my desk.
I look up. “What’s this?”
“Maple cream puffs and maple blondies.”
I smile. “Really?”
“Sadie mentioned you were looking for them when you went into Keller’s Bakehouse a couple of weeks ago.”
I stare at the box. “And you remembered two weeks later?” I lift the lid. The smell of maple practically punches me in the face.
“Yeah, well, she mentioned it that same night. I would’ve brought you some sooner, but she keeps those desserts under lock and key.”
“Tell Sadie thank you.”
“I mean, I’m the one who brought them, but…” He swats the air with his hand. “You’re right. Sadie should get the credit. I’ll tell her.”
The bell rings.
Wade stands there for a second, like he’s unsure what to do next. “I guess I should go.”
My brows lower in confusion as I watch him walk out the door.
Incident #3 - At the faculty meeting on Wednesday:
By the time I arrive at the faculty meeting, nearly every chair is taken—except one. The seat beside Wade up front. He has his arm draped across the back of it, but the second he sees me, he taps the empty chair, mouthing, “Saved you a spot.”
I weave my way through the staff and drop into the chair just as he starts the meeting. For the next twenty minutes, teachers discuss grades, parent conferences, and a dozen other things.
Then Wade pulls up the fall festival agenda.
“Okay. Let’s look at the student-led activities during the week.” He scans the page. “We’ve got kids helping at the apple cider press. Looks like Miss Langford is over that.”
“I am.”
“I'll help too.” He adds his name to the spreadsheet in real time. “It looks like you’re also in charge of overseeing the face painting on Tuesday. I can help with that as well.”
Again, he types in his name on the spreadsheet.
“Wednesday, it looks like Mr. Heath and the FFA students are doing the pumpkin weigh-in.” He looks at Mr. Heath in the back of the room. “Are you good to handle that by yourself?”
“Yeah.” Mr. Heath nods.
“Mrs. Baker, you’re in charge of the pumpkin bake-off. I’m sure you don’t need any help with that.”
Mrs. Baker nods.
“I’m in charge of the spooky movie Thursday night.” Without even glancing up at me, Wade says, “Miss Langford, I’ll need your help with that.”
I frown, noticing a strong pattern here. “For what?”
“Extension cords.” He looks at me with complete seriousness, holds my gaze for a moment, then goes back to the spreadsheet. “And then we have the teachers-versus-students football game on Friday with the tailgate to follow. That’s also Miss Langford”—he adds his name to the spreadsheet—“and me.”
By the time Wade’s finished, he’s somehow volunteered himself for every single activity I’m overseeing.
Incident #4 - Inviting himself to my fall festival meeting on Thursday:
Wade
What time is the meeting with Rosie tonight?
Ari
7:00 p.m.
Wade
Perfect. I’ll pick you up at 6:50.
Ari
Why?
Wade
So we can go together. No sense in driving two cars.
Ari
You do realize I can handle a fall festival meeting by myself, right?
Wade
I know.
Ari
Then why are you coming?
Wade
What if Rosie asks a principal question?
Ari
What is a principal question?
Wade
Exactly.
Ari
I’m sure I’ll be able to figure it out.
Wade
Don’t forget about liability.
Ari
For what?
Wade
I don't know. That’s why I'm coming.
I’ll see you at 6:50 sharp.
And there you have it.
Looking at the incidents individually, none of them mean anything.
Wade is my fake boyfriend. Of course he’s spending more time around me.
That’s literally the assignment.
So, in conclusion, these incidents are inconclusive.
If Wade Stevenson actually wanted to spend time with me, he’d probably just say so.
The man has never been accused of subtlety.