Page 29 of Reformation

I laugh as Cassie begins filling Charlie in about Amalie and the Helicopters when I realize that Garrett is standing in front of me. I don’t know how I missed him. The man towers over me, especially when I’m sitting down. And that’s not even going into the powerful presence he exudes just by being in a room. Or the smell of his cologne.

“Are all volunteer meetings like that?” he asks, taking a seat across from me.

I laugh. Surely he has to realize he was the reason that every mom jumped up to chaperone a baseball game. “No. And while I appreciate you volunteering and helping out, I think it’s best if you don’t attend any more meetings.”

“I disagree,” Cassie interrupts. “This was the most entertaining parent-teacher meeting we’ve ever had. Garrett, I’ll email you a schedule.”

“If Garrett is coming, do I have to?” Charlie asks. “I mean, I think it’s enough that one member of Cullen’s family represents the group.”

I shake my head. “Nope. You’re stuck here. As long as your child is my student, I require you to save me from the Helicopters.”

Charlie sighs. “I figured. Honestly, it’s the least I can do for you putting up with my kid. Oh, and sorry about last week. I talked to him and took away his iPad for the weekend. He should be good now.”

“What did my nephew do this time?” Garrett asks.

“We were going through the alphabet and I asked the class to say words that started with the letter I pointed to,” I say, taking a breath because I know I’m going to crack up when I say it out loud. “And when I got toF, your nephew raised his hand in the air, and before I could even call on him, he yelled ‘fart!’ The class then decided that that was the word of the day and said it no less than two hundred times before pickup. A few even acted it out.”

Everyone laughs, because let’s be honest, it is kind of funny.

“I’m just glad he didn’t say fuck,” Charlie says, rubbing a stray tear from her face. “I really thought that’s where the story was going when you called to tell me what he did.”

As the laughter dies down, I begin to gather my papers, happy for once that I don’t have anything to do tonight. Cassie bids everyone goodbye and I walk with Garrett and Charlie to our cars.

“See you at the house?” Charlie says to Garrett as she climbs into her SUV.

“I’ll be there in thirty. I’ll bring the scotch.”

“Grab a bottle of wine too. Remember, no cheap shit. See you later, Paige!”

I continue walking to my car, realizing Garrett is still walking with me. It hits me that since the food drive is up and running, there’s no reason for me and Garrett to continue talking. The thought of not getting a random text message about how many kids would be attending and if he should set up food vouchers makes me sad.

“I guess I’ll see you around?” he says.

“Yeah. I guess so. Thanks again for helping. You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it.”

He runs a hand through his hair, almost seeming nervous, but for what, I have no idea. “It was no problem. I’m glad to help. And of course, I’m going to make sure Cullen’s class wins.”

I laugh, having no doubt he will buy every canned good in Virginia to make that happen.

I reach for the door of my car when his voice stops me.

“Is there more that I can do?”

I look over at him, a little shocked at his words. I know he said he was interested in volunteering and doing more to give back. I honestly didn’t expect him to after the food drive. He’s a busy man with a busy schedule. Most people in his tax bracket just write a check to say that they are contributing to charities.

“There’s always more that we can do.”

That makes him smile, and it goes straight to my heart. “Great. What’s next?”

I smile, having the perfect idea in mind. “Meet me here. Saturday morning. Bring coffee.”

Chapter Sixteen

Paige

“Is this vest really necessary?”

I laugh as I watch Garrett, who is looking down at his neon safety vest like it is trying to eat him alive. I’m definitely not watching him and wondering how anyone can make that neon monstrosity look sexy.

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