Chapter Chapter Twenty
Amy
On Monday, I was having trouble teaching like I normally would, but with some adjustments, I finally made it work. I mostly sat at my desk rather than standing at the chalkboard.
By Tuesday, I could definitely walk more without my ankle hurting, and on Wednesday, I was back to normal.
I was also extremely happy that I’d gotten one of our previous speakers to grant us a few internship spots in his company.
I spent the afternoon break in the teachers’ room, smiling as I sipped the green tea I’d prepped for myself at the beginning of the break.
“You look happy,” Agnes said.
“I just got word that I’ve secured a few internship spots for the high schoolers.”
She grinned. “Girl, you’re on a roll.”
We were the only ones in the teachers’ room today. The weather was nice, and everyone else was outside, but I felt like checking my emails. I was still trying to stay off my feet, and I preferred to sit inside the lounge rather than the classroom—it made it seem more like an actual break.
“And how’s the other project going? Still on a dating hiatus?” Agnes looked at me with a hopeful smile.
Part of me wanted to tell her everything about Knox, but I decided not to.
I couldn’t even explain why. Maybe because I figured that if she knew, she’d ask me all sorts of questions that I couldn’t answer.
Or at least it wouldn’t be the answer she expected.
On paper, Knox and I didn’t have much in common.
What we had was hot and amazing, but I wasn’t kidding myself that it was going to be long term.
I wasn’t going to even allow myself to dream about that.
“It’s ongoing” was all I said.
She nodded. “Hmm. That’s what I thought. Don’t worry, okay? The right one will come along. In fact, I have an idea.” She pressed her lips together, then said, “Nah, I don’t want to say anything yet.”
“About what?” I frowned.
“Just forget I mentioned it.”
“Okay.”
Agnes was always a little weird, but I cared about her.
“There are still a few minutes of break left. I’m going to go outside,” she said.
“I’ll head to class, as I’m a bit slow these days,” I told her.
“I still can’t believe you got bitten by a snake.”
I shuddered. “Next year, I definitely won’t be going on any school camping trips.”
Agnes laughed. “Oh, I hear you, sister. Why do you think I never volunteer for any of the outdoorsy stuff? No, thanks. Nature for me is a few palm trees and the flowers I’ve got in my garden.”
There was a reason I liked Agnes. She and I were a lot alike.
As I headed back to class, I checked the status of my dress order for the benefit next week.
It was supposed to arrive tonight. Most of the stuff I owned couldn’t pass for evening wear.
Besides, I hadn’t treated myself to anything new in a while.
I deserved a new dress, and I wanted to impress Knox.
I wanted him to feel proud with me on his arm.
That evening, I waited for the delivery guy with bated breath and was almost ready to give up at eight o’clock, but then the doorbell finally rang.
I thanked him and grabbed the package, then opened it the second I closed the door.
Even the wrapping paper was expensive, and it smelled faintly like oranges.
Yum. The dress was red and floor-length, with a tight waistline and a V-neckline.
I immediately took off my simple white summer dress and put on my new acquisition, moving to look at myself in the long mirror in the foyer.
I turned, checking out every angle, loving how the back was completely exposed.
With my blonde hair falling down in waves, it was perfect.
I snapped a picture of myself and sent it to Knox.
Amy: Ready for next week!
He said it was a black-tie event, so I didn’t cut corners. I was part of his world for now, and I wanted to fit in even though it wasn’t very realistic for my budget. But I was going to make things work one way or another. I always did.
Knox called me right away.
“Hi. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“You look so fucking sexy.”
I grinned in the mirror. “Sexy, huh? How about appropriate for the event?”
“That too. Damn it, I want to cancel on that event now.”
“Why?”
“So I have an excuse to keep you indoors and ravage you wearing that dress.”
“Big plans, huh?”
“Hell yes.”
“How about you drop by my house tonight?” I suggested.
Despite him saying that he wanted us to spend every evening together, it didn’t happen. Probably for the best because every second we were together, I kept falling a little more for this man.
Knox groaned. “I’ll try, but if I do manage to drop by, it’s going to be late. They need me at the office.”
I pouted. “How late is late?”
“Eleven, maybe.”
I groaned. “Well, I’m usually fast asleep by that time.”
Our schedules weren’t compatible, if I was honest. He started his day a bit later, stayed at the office longer, and went to sleep close to midnight. The next day, he woke up at around eight or nine. I had to be on my feet at six o’clock sharp to make it in time for school.
I wanted to initiate some sexy talk, even though I wasn’t sure how. But then I heard a guy calling his name and felt as if someone had thrown a bucket of ice over me.
Holy shit, he’s at work. What was I thinking?
“Right. Have fun,” I said in a high-pitched voice.
He laughed. “You were about to say something else, weren’t you?”
“How did you know?”
“I just do, Amy. If you give me a sec, I’ll go to my office and close the door, and then we can talk.” He said this loudly, probably so others would hear him, too, but I was losing my nerve.
“No, no, no.” I sat down on the couch, caressing my dress with my free hand. “I don’t want to keep you, okay?”
“Someone’s gotten shy.” His voice was lower now, but I could still hear noise in his background, so I knew he wasn’t alone.
“Yep. I had a sexy idea all right,” I admitted, “then totally lost my nerve. Not sure I can work it back up again.”
Someone called his name again. This was so frustrating. I wanted him all to myself. Was that too much to ask?
“All right, then. Keep it all for when we see each other.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of ideas for that. By the way, any pointers for the benefit?”
“Nah. Just be yourself, Amy, and everyone will love you. I know I do.”
My breath hitched. Wait, was that a love declaration? My heartbeat intensified.
“I’ll see you,” he said. “I’ve got to go now.”
“Sure.”
After I hung up, I sighed. Nah, that was just a throwaway comment. No one declares themselves like that and then just casually says goodbye.
I got up from the couch and looked at myself in the mirror again. Damn, I looked good.
Oh yeah, I couldn’t wait for the benefit.