Page 34 of Need You To Choose Me

Glancing over my shoulder, I watch as Daniel marches across the parking lot toward school, not paying any attention to the kids lingering around.

Sighing, I look at Levi. “You ready?”

“Yeah. Dad?” He looks up at me, nibbling at his lip. “Do you think Miss Parker will be in school today?”

“I don’t see why not, buddy.”

Levi nods, his fingers wrapping around the straps of his backpack. “I really want her to be there. She’s fun. Not like that other teacher.”

My hand falls on Levi’s shoulder, and I look down at my son. He seemed happy. Would that still be the case once he found out about Savannah and the baby?

“You really seem to like her, huh?” I ask tentatively.

“She’s the best.” His grin grows even bigger. “Miss Parker!”

It’s like there is an invisible string between us, pulling us together. Savannah tilts her head to the side, her honey hair shining in the morning light. One strand slips from her braid, so she tucks it behind her ear as she nods at whatever the woman is saying before turning her attention in my direction. Today she’s dressed in another dress; this one is too big on her, helping conceal the bump I know is hiding underneath. My fingers itch to touch her and reassure myself that our previous encounters weren’t just a fluke.

This morning, she came out of her house dressed in an oversized shirt that barely covered anything and made me want to do all sorts of things to her. My cock stirs at the image in my head. Those long, toned legs that I wanted to feel wrapped around my waist once again. Her flushed cheeks and all that messy blonde hair…

Fuck my life.

The last thing I needed was a freaking boner—in school of all places. What was I? Twelve again?

Levi comes to a halt in front of Savannah and grins up at her. “Morning, Miss Parker. You came today!”

She shifts her attention to my son and smiles at him. Even if I didn’t like her up until this moment, I’d like her for this: for giving my son attention and making him feel like he’s the center of her world. I knew it wasn’t just Levi; she probably treated all of the kids she taught the same way, but she’s been the first person in a long time that he was compelled to open up to.

“Good morning, Levi. I promised I’d come, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did. But sometimes people don’t keep their promises.”

Savannah pauses for a moment, her face softening slightly. “No, they don’t. That’s why I always make sure to do my best to keep my word.”

“And I’ll always keep my promises, too.” Levi nods once, his expression way more serious than any six-year-old ever should be. But then his gaze darts in the direction of a few kids. “Kyle!” He grabs the straps of his backpack and runs toward a dark-haired boy. Only when he’s halfway there does he turn around and smile at me. “Bye, Dad!”

“I’ll see you later, bud,” I call back, as I come to a stop in front of Savannah. “Miss Parker.”

That frown between her brows deepens as she glares at me. For somebody who insisted on calling her Miss Parker, she sure as hell didn’t seem happy when I did it. Still, she schools her features quickly, that mask of indifference falling in place. “Mr. Walker. It’s nice to see you came on time today. Now if you’ll excuse me?—”

She starts to turn around, but I grab her wrist. Surprise flashes in her blue irises, her cheeks turning pink.

“Are you still angry about the porch? Because I’m not going to apologize for keeping you from getting hurt.”

Savannah presses her lips in a tight line. “Are you going to apologize for keeping things from me?”

Keeping things?My brows pull together in confusion. “What are you?—”

“Professional football player?” She pulls her hand out of my grasp. “Really, Blake?”

Well, shit.

Did she look me up? Or did somebody tell her?

I guess now it didn’t matter how she found out, just that she did. And she was clearly pissed.

“Ex-football player,” I correct. “I retired after last season before we met.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

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