Page 6 of A Better Place

I blow out a breath and reply, “Okay.”

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry. I must be having an off day.”

“I get it. Happens to everyone.” He shrugs like my insane behavior is no big deal. Maybe it isn’t to him. I’m pretty sure Captain America is probably used to people falling all over his feet.

Just as I’m about to reply, the natives become restless and remind me that I am in the middle of my classroom surrounded by first graders.

“I’ll let you get back to your class, Ms. Hanson.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cole.”

“See you in a bit, squirt!”

Harper runs through the classroom and wraps herself around James’s legs. “Bye, Uncle James!” she looks up at him and points a tiny finger in his direction with narrowed eyes. “I want Subway for lunch. Got it?”

“Anything for you, baby girl,” he says as he bends down and gives her a hug then what looks like some secret handshake that only the two of them are privy to. He stands up and ruffles her hair then fist-bumps about every other eager student in the classroom.

Well, there go my ovaries.

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