Page 35 of Pretty Relentless

“Wow, okay,” she says. “Is it safe to be on a roof in the middle of winter?”

I flash her a smile. “Well, it’s not always ideal, but it is what it is. Yours is not the first winter roof I’ve had to take care of. We just need to take extra precautions if it’s slick or wet, and if it’s snowing, we won’t go up there.”

She nods in understanding. “What about payment?”

We go over the details, and even though I had already included in my bid that a portion of the bill is due when the job starts, I make sure to mention it again.

“Not a problem. I’ll go to the bank in the morning and transfer the first half. You’ll have a check right away. Insurance will work with me for reimbursement after I submit the paperwork.”

“Let me know if you need help with that part. Do you have any other questions?” I ask, not really wanting our time together to end.

“No, I don’t think so,” she says, standing up.

That’s my cue to leave.

I head over to put my boots back on, taking my laptop, notepad, and phone with me. Just when I have no other reason to stay, I open my mouth and just start talking. “So, I was thinking, Friday night is that northern lights thing Annabelle was talking about. Even though it’ll be way past our bedtimes, it might be pretty cool to see. Interested in going with me?”

She worries her bottom lip with her teeth. “Like…a date?”

I lift my shoulders. “We can call it whatever you want.”

“I don’t know. I don’t date pare—” she starts, and before I can give her a chance to turn me down, I cut her off and continue.

“Hear me out. There’s this really cool scientific event happening on Friday, one you’re going to be discussing and teaching in class, and this is an amazing opportunity to see it in person. We wouldn’t go to the Bluff Preserves, where I’m sure the rest of the town will go to view it. I know a spot where no one else will be, so no one will see us.”

The corner of her mouth ticks. “You know a spot, huh?”

A full-watt smile breaks out across my mouth. “Yep. Completely secluded, and not in a creepy way. You’re totally safe with me.”

“I don’t know, Gavin,” she replies softly, and I can tell I’m wearing her down.

“Come on, Miss Rutledge. Live a little.”

She narrows her eyes a bit and purses her lips. “I did that once, and it came back to bite me in the butt years later.”

I’m certain I know what she’s referring to, the infamous keg stand photo that surfaced and almost caused her to lose her job, but I don’t want her to always think of the bad. “I promise. There’ll be nothing that could cause you problems. This night will be…educational, if you will.”

A faint smile crosses her lips as she shakes her head. “I might regret this,” she says, almost absently to herself.

“Never. I’d never risk doing something that could cause you to regret spending time with me, and I’d never push you. I just, well, want to get to know you better, and if I have to subject myself to fifth grade science to do so, then so be it,” I say with a grin, hoping to earn one in return.

It works because the gentlest smile spreads across her lips. Lips I dream about ravishing until they’re swollen and chapped. Then I might do it again.

“I do appreciate the offer, and it would be cool to see it in person. I know I’ve said this multiple times, but I don’t date dads of my students.”

Knowing this is such a big step for her, I decide to add a little more humor to the conversation. “Well, I don’t usually date my daughter’s teachers so we’re even.”

Unable to fight her chuckle, she asks, “Didn’t she have Mr. Parmelee last year?”

“She did, and as much as age is just a number, the whole silver fox thing isn’t my jam.” Mr. Parmelee is in his fifties and divorced, and I’ve heard plenty of women talk about how good-looking he is for his age. I don’t think he lacks for the company of women.

“Mine either,” Ava replies with a blush. She takes a deep breath. “But I think seeing the aurora borealis in person would be phenomenal. If the offer still stands, I’d love to join you…as a friend.”

Friends…that’s a start.

But it’s not my endgame.

I can’t stop my wolfish grin. “Of course it stands. There’s no one else I’d rather enjoy the view with than you, Miss Rutledge.”

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