Page 56 of Reformation

Paige? Lost it on a class? No. I don’t believe it. Not the magical teacher who makes kids like Cullen Dixon bow to her demands with her sweet smile and magical ways.

“One, I can’t even imagine that. And two, what happened after?”

“Well, it can happen and it did. Don’t get me fired up. I may seem nice and sweet, but if someone pushes me too far, I will absolutely lose it. Two, I was fired from student teaching.”

“That can happen?”

She nods. “The school was actually very understanding about it. These kids… they were a bad class. And the administration knew that they did me wrong by putting in a barely alive substitute teacher to help. It was almost the end of the semester, so they told me I was done for the year, which would appease the parents. And they also signed off to Tech that I completed my training. I knew that was my one pass, that I couldn’t ever do something like that again. So I just gave it up.”

I stare at her for a second, because I still can’t believe that this sweet, amazing person even has the power to say words like “fuck” and “shit,” let alone scream it to seven-year-olds.

“What?” she says, taking a piece of bread from the basket the waitress left us.

“I can’t believe you would do that. I mean, I know you wouldn’t lie about it, I’m just having a hard time picturing this.”

She doesn’t answer right away, and a hint of sadness takes over her face.

“I’m not all unicorns and rainbows you know.”

Now it’s my turn to be confused.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“You… a lot of people only see Paige the kindergarten teacher. The volunteer. The person who quotes Disney to her class and never breaks a rule. But I’m not that person, Garrett. Not completely. I’ve… there’ve been some things in my past that I’m not proud of. And I’m not just talking about swearing at a bunch of first graders.”

I take her hands in mine, lacing our fingers together. “You know you can tell me. Hell, after all the free therapy I’ve got from you, you know you can tell me anything, right? I won’t judge, promise.”

She nods. “I know. Just not tonight. Tonight is a happy night. Soon. I promise.”

Luckily, the waitress brings our food and the conversation turns to much lighter topics. Despite the quick trek into gloomy territory, the night is perfect. We ate our dinner, went down to the boardwalk for ice cream, and walked back and forth for miles, even though the February weather hadn’t quite turned to spring yet. We held hands and talked like we’ve known each other forever, but also learning things about each other at the same time. We talked about the spring carnival coming up in a few weeks and Makenna’s birthday party at the end of the month.

I know I only had two to compare to, but I couldn’t have asked for a better first date.

Even after I dropped her off, and left her with a kiss that I hoped she would feel until I saw her again, I couldn’t help but wonder what happened to Paige that would make those beautiful blue eyes look so haunted.

And I vowed right then and there, whatever she needs, I’ll do for her. She’s done so much for me, the least I can do is take that look from her eyes.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Paige

I never want to stop kissing Garrett.

I didn’t want to stop the day he came into my classroom and swept me off my feet.

I didn’t want to stop when he dropped me off after our first date.

I haven’t wanted to stop for the last two weeks. I don’t know if I ever will.

I know I don’t have a ton of experience with men or dating, and I’m sure this is all part of the honeymoon phase of a budding relationship, but the way he makes me feel, both inside and out, is like nothing I’ve ever felt before.

And we haven’t even had sex yet. He respected my wishes after that first kiss to wait and take this slow. But as the days go on, I’m finding it harder and harder to resist him.

“You’re going to make us late,” I say, though I’m not trying very hard to get away from his skillful mouth. “Garrett, we have to go.”

He reluctantly lets go of me, even though I sneak in one more kiss before I gather up my things from my desk. “When we are late for the carnival, I’m telling everyone that it’s your fault.”

He gives me that cocky smile I love so much and leans against my desk, his arms crossed, which shows off his defined arms.

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