Page 44 of Pretty Relentless

I nod. “They did,” I state proudly.

“What an experience for them. Well done.”

I feel my cheeks heat at the compliment. Even though I’m a fourteen-year veteran here, it still feels good to have my efforts recognized by someone who’s spent her entire almost-forty-year teaching career at this exact location. In fact, she wasmysecond-grade teacher way back when. “Thank you.”

“I won’t keep you,” she says. “I’m sure you’re ready to head home. It’s been a week,” she adds with a chuckle.

“Agreed.”

She turns to exit my classroom when she pauses. “Oh, by the way, not that it’s any of my business, but I think it’s great about you and Gavin Pierson. He’s such a nice young man.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and my throat is suddenly dry. “What?”

“You and Gavin.”

Blood swooshes in my ears. “I’m not…we’re not…dating.”

“Oh. You’re not?”

“No. Where did you hear that?” I ask, unable to keep my irritation out of my voice.

She tries to wave it off with her hand. “You know how the rumor mill is in the teachers’ lounge. Someone said they saw you and him at the pizzeria on New Year’s Day, and I’m sure someone took it and ran with it.”

I nod. “We just happened to be at the same place at the same time, and his daughter asked me to join them. I wasn’t going to, but she was insistent.”

“Don’t fret about it, Ava. I know you don’t like to be associated with gossip, but I promise you, anything I heard was all positive. We all think it’s a wonderful thing you’re dating him. Or at least someone thought you were dating him.”

“Oh.” That’s all I’ve got.

She’s absolutely correct. I hate being the center of any attention, especially gossip. I know you can’t help it when people talk, but I much prefer their chatter not to be about me. After the photo incident, in which I thought I was going to lose my job, it felt like my name was on everyone’s lips forever. Most of the staff were supportive, publicly stating they’ve all done things in our youthful years they’re not proud of and pledging their support of me in my position.

It was a terrible time in my life, one I wish to never ever repeat.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. If I hear any more comments about you and Gavin, I’ll be sure to put a kibosh on it right away.”

“Thank you,” I mutter, my mind reeling.

“Of course,” she replies, clearly feeling a little uneasy as she prepares to leave. “For what it’s worth, you have a right to live your life, Ava. This is a small town, and with that comes good and bad. You know everyone already, so the chances of you finding and spending time with someone you may not know can be difficult. Don’t be afraid to live your life, just because a few people were jerks a few years back and tried to sabotage your career. You’re so much stronger and braver than you think.” She pauses, giving her words time to penetrate my brain before she adds, “Have a wonderful weekend. See you Monday.”

And with that, she’s gone, leaving me standing at my desk with what can only be considered a dumbfounded look on my face.

Did that really just happen?

I’ve always liked Mrs. Valero, as a teacher and a mentor. She’s incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and fair, and for the most part, like me, keeps to herself. But she’s always offering an encouraging comment or sound piece of advice when you didn’t even realize you needed it.

Like now.

I have rules in place for a reason, and for the first time, I’m actually entertaining the idea of breaking one. Well, not breaking it, exactly. Bending it, maybe?

My heart starts to quicken in my chest at the thought.

But if I’m going to bend or break a rule as important to me as the no-dating-a-student’s-dad rule, shouldn’t it be for good reason?

For someone who makes my heart pound and butteries flutter in my stomach?

Someone who makes me feel all swoony every time he looks at me with those intoxicating hazel eyes?

A man who seems patient and willing to take things slow simplybecausehe knows of my rule, and while wanting me to break it, is supportive with my boundaries?

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