Page 28 of Uproot

She nods, "Oh, ok. I mean it's none of my business, but I was just wondering.. are you two dating or.."

I furrow my eyebrows, then grin, realizing she sounds a bit jealous. "Helen is married, Selah. To a very short, feisty,woman. So unless I shrink nine inches, in more than one area of my body, and grow some breasts, I'm not her type. At all."

Her mouth falls open, a small squeak escaping it as her eyes inadvertently move down to my shorts, "I-wow. Well I asked for that I guess," she laughs, covering her eyes with her hands.

I smile and lower her hands from her face, keeping one in mine. We gaze at each other and I step closer to her, "Why did you think I was dating her?" I ask quietly.

Her smile fades, "You two just seem close, and she honestly didn't really like to talk to me very much."

I nod, understanding how she could have misinterpreted things. "Helen is just all business, and a bit of an introvert until she gets to know someone better. Don't take that personally. And our closeness comes from us corresponding with each other 18 hours a day regarding work. But nothing else."

I swear I can see some tension leave her face, and I hate that she was thinking that something was going on between Helen and I, while I'm obviously pursuing her.

She moves her hand over her hair, smoothing it down, "Ok. Well, I better go," she says, turning and going to open the door.

I move behind her and slip my slides on following her outside. "Next time we get together I'm going to pick you up," I say, frowning as we walk to her car. "It's almost dark out."

"Again, I'm only about 10 minutes away from here, Beckett. And I've been driving myself in the dark since I was sixteen," she replies.

"You may have. But you don't need to when I’m around," I counter.

We stop by her car door, and I stand in front of her. I lean down and hear her intake a sharp breath, but she doesn't move.

I move my hands to her waist and press my lips against her cheek. I savor the feeling of her warm skin under my lips, humming against it as I squeeze her waist, my brain turning fuzzy as she lets out a quiet whimper.

I take my lips from her and look into her brown eyes, seeing a swarm of unspoken words swimming in them. I let out a breath and wrap my arms around her, giving her a hug before she can overthink what's happening between us.

Her arms wrap around my waist, and she nuzzles her head under my chin. "Beckett," she whispers, not moving.

"Yes, angel?" I ask, kissing her hair.

She tilts her head back and searches my face, and I'm tempted to lean in again, when she takes a step back from me.

"I better go," she says, looking down at the keys in her hand.

"Ok," I say, moving to open the car door for her.

I don't want her to go anywhere but I know that I have to do things at her pace right now. "Text me or call when you get home."

"I will," she agrees, glancing up at me. "And thanks again for tonight. It was fun. The movie was.. fun. Not..I-goodnight."

I smile, "I know what you mean, angel. Drive safe," I say, closing her car door.

I watch her back out of the gravel driveway before I head inside to clean up.

16

Selah

Monday morning, my alarm gives me the same rude awakening that I am never prepared for.

You would think that being a teacher for the past 13 years would have made me more of a morning person, but sadly I never enjoy mornings until I get to class and see my kids. Their little smiling faces always makes the morning rush worth it.

I may also have some other incentives pulling me towards my classroom this morning. I’m hoping that Beckett will be dropping off Edison so I can see him again.

Spending time with him this weekend was so much more fun than I expected. I love the way he encouraged me and gave me advice on how to deal with some of the unpleasant moms that I encounter at school. The fact that he listened attentively and seemed to really care about my feelings meant a lot to me.

The hug we shared when I left his house Saturday should have been such a simple gesture, but somehow it felt like more. I hug many people throughout the week, from my students to my friends. But something about hugging Beckett felt so intimateand unequal to what I've felt with anyone else's arms wrapped around me.

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