Chapter 40
Ari
At some point over the weekend, I stopped trying to convince myself that everyone else was wrong about Wade having feelings for me.
Landrie.
Liv.
Reese.
The Ednas.
Mayor Monroe.
Even four-year-old Mia.
Apparently, the entire town of Autumn Ridge has reached the same conclusion.
Wade Stevenson likes me and wants to be with me for real.
The problem is that, after spending years believing the exact opposite, it’s hard to just flip a switch in my mind. It takes a lot of deep thought and analyzation.
So I do what any rational English teacher would do.
I start collecting evidence like I’m writing a five-paragraph essay. But really, I don’t need proof anymore. I just like having it because it makes me smile.
Incident #1 - Monday in the principal’s office
The interruption comes halfway through third period, through the crackling of the classroom speaker.
“Miss Langford?”
Every student immediately stops working.
I glance toward the ceiling. “Yes, Mrs. Albany?”
“Mr. Stevenson needs you in the office real quick.”
Half the class makes an obnoxious amount of noise. “Oooooh.”
I motion for them to quiet down. “Now? Or can it wait until after class?”
“Now. It’s urgent.”
I point toward the students. “Work on your vocabulary words.” But the teasing only gets louder as I exit the room.
By the time I reach the front office, I’m already mentally preparing myself for an angry parent. Or worse, what if this has something to do with Ashtyn? At the dance a few days ago, she seemed like she had finally moved on and couldn’t care less about Wade, but what if we were wrong?
“What’s going on?” I ask Mrs. Albany as I pass by her desk.
She looks up from her computer. “Do I look like Mr. Steveson’s keeper?”
Yes, that’s literally your job.
She points over her shoulder. “He just said to send you back.”
I knock once on Wade’s office door.
“Come in.”
I step inside and find him sitting behind his desk. The room is empty. No parent or student in sight. No Ashtyn Ellis.
My brows push down in confusion. “What’s this emergency?”
“I missed you.” He stands, walking around his desk to me. His toe kicks the door shut, and it’s pretty attractive. “I missed you terribly.”
“Wade!” I chide as he takes me into his arms.
“What? You haven’t visited my office today. What’s a man supposed to do?”
He wraps me in one of his glorious hugs, the close proximity alone sending a fleet of butterflies into my stomach.
“It’s ten-thirty in the morning.”
“Exactly.” His forehead drops briefly to mine. “I thought you’d come say hi by now.”
I shake my head and laugh despite myself. “You’re a terrible principal for calling me out in the middle of my class. I squeeze him once, hard, then pull back and plant a quick kiss on his lips. I leave his office, fighting my smile the whole trek back to my classroom.
Incident #2 - Hallway shenanigans, Tuesday after school.
I’m walking through an empty hallway when a hand suddenly wraps around my wrist. I barely have time to gasp before I’m pulled around the corner beside a vending machine—straight into Wade.
“Hi.” He smiles at me, but his eyes don’t meet mine. They’re solely focused on my lips.
Then, before I can lecture him on scaring a woman and pulling her into a dark corner, he kisses me. Quick and searing.
My fingers curl around his neck automatically.
The kiss lasts maybe seven seconds. Ten, if I’m lucky.
Then he’s already stepping away.
“See you tomorrow.”
I blink. “That’s it?”
“Oh, look who wants more.” He turns around, walking backward down the hall. The grin smothered across his face has me in a full sweat, or maybe it was his lips on mine.
Or both.
Incident #3 - Wednesday’s classroom visit
We’ve been in fifth period for ten minutes when Wade slips in with a notebook. He doesn’t even look at me, just takes his seat in the back of the classroom like he’s observing, which, as principal, it is his right to observe me, but this feels a little too convenient.
I’m momentarily blank on my lesson, but one glance at the whiteboard gets me back on track.
“Dangerous Words,” I say. “That’s the title for your next paper. But it’s up to each of you to decide what your dangerous word is.”
Ethan leans forward. “What do you mean? How is a word dangerous?”
“It’s dangerous because it hits on something vulnerable inside of you.
Could be perfectionism, self-worth, anxiety, pressure, fear”—I glance at Wade, not even meaning to—“or trust.” There’s an honest moment between us for half a second before I move on.
“Your assignment is to choose one dangerous word and write about why it’s dangerous to you personally. ”
Colby shakes his head. “Uh, I need more examples.”
I open my mouth to speak, but Wade beats me to it.
“What about love?” His eyes meet mine and hold.
Love?
While it is the perfect example for this assignment, his mention of it leaves me speechless.
“How is love dangerous?” Colby asks. “Isn’t it usually a good thing?”
Wade shrugs. “Love is dangerous because it involves risk. What if you go all in, and they don’t feel the same way? Then what?”
The classroom nods collectively while I’m reeling, trying to figure out if love is Wade’s dangerous word.
Incident #4 - Wednesday afternoon text
My phone buzzes while I’m getting dressed for the rehearsal dinner.
Wade
What time should I pick you up tonight?
I smile immediately.
Ari
Who says you get to pick me up?
Wade
That’s generally how dates work.
Ari
Is this a date? I mean, you’re a groomsman, and I’m the maid of honor, so technically, we’re just going to the rehearsal because we have to.
Wade
Even if I weren’t part of the wedding party, I’d still be there by your side. You can’t get rid of me that easily, Miss Langford.
I fall back on my bed with a grin.
Ari
Well, if I can’t get rid of you, then I guess you can be my date. But you can’t pick me up. We’re going as a family.
Wade
That’s extremely disappointing.
Ari
If you’re good, maybe I’ll let you drive me home when the night is over.
Wade
In that case, I’ll be on my best behavior. You know what happens at the end of dates, don’t you?
Ari
Hmmm. You might have to show me.
Wade
I plan to.
I stare at the messages for a second longer than necessary before setting my phone down.
Evidence collected.
Wade Stevenson is definitely into me.