Page 24 of Breakaway

Maybe he was going to regret that he’d volunteered to work on this program.

Remi pressed a hand to her stomach and stopped with Jennifer. Jase was bumping fists with a boy—Remi’s student Ryan—who’d stopped to talk to him. She’d never seen Ryan so focused.

Then Jase straightened to his full imposing height and turned and his gaze landed on her. His eyes widened and then a slow smile spread across his face.

She liked that smile.

She gave him a tremulous smile back.

“Remi, this is Jase Heller, Dominic Griffin and Matthieu Lalonde. Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet Remi Buchanan. She’s a grade six teacher here at Lincoln and she’s the one who was instrumental in bringing the kick off rally to our school this year.”

Jase’s smile disappeared, replaced by a glower. Oh lord. He was embarrassed. She automatically held out her hand.

Jase took it first. “We’ve actually met.” His face smoothed and that charming white smile flashed.

“Oh, really?” Jennifer’s forehead creased and she shot Remi a curious look.

“Nice to meet you, Ms Buchanan,” Dominic said, shaking her hand with a grin. Matthieu did the same. Remi hadn’t paid that much attention to Jase’s companions that night, since all her attentionhad been focused on Jase, but she was pretty sure they’d both been there too. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. Did they know she and Jase had…yeah. They must know.

Her whole body blazing, she kept a smile firmly in place. “Thank you so much for coming today. I understand it was somewhat short notice.”

“Not a problem,” Jase said. “I’ve been involved in the program for a few years at other schools. I’m glad to do it again this year.”

“The kids really seemed to enjoy it,” Jennifer said. “I think we’re off to a great start.”

“So for the next six Wednesdays we’ll be back here to work with smaller groups,” Jase said. His gaze held Remi’s and she resisted the urge to fuss with her hair. Did she have any lipstick left on? Likely not. Usually by the end of a school day she didn’t care.

“That’s wonderful,” she choked out. “We really appreciate it. It helps the kids get more involved when there are role models for them participating.”

They made small talk for a few more moments and then Jennifer offered to show the three athletes out, their jackets having been left in her office.

Remi watched them leave, feeling a weight of disappointment settling on her. She left the custodians in the now empty gymnasium dismantling the sound system and putting the bleachers away, and walked slowly down the hall to her classroom, also empty but much quieter.

She sank onto the chair behind her desk.

She’d felt his stiffness. The coolness of his greeting, although he’d smiled at first. He was so freakin’ good looking. She couldn’t believe she’d done what she had with him. And had so much fun. Watching him with the kids here had been a whole other side to him—boyish and charming and fun. Yeah. He was all about fun.

Which was the opposite of what she was all about. She was all about serious responsibility. Boring.

She sighed and picked up a folder of math quizzes she had tomark that night. She bent to pick up her briefcase from under the desk.

“Hey.”

She straightened up so fast she cracked her head on the edge of the desk.

“Ow!” She rubbed her temple, blinded by the pain.

“Jesus, Remi, are you okay?” Jase’s voice, heavy footsteps and then his hands on her shoulders.

“Yes, yes. I’m okay.” She blinked up at him. “Dammit.”

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Th-that’s okay.” She tried to shake off the pain. “I’m fine.”

“I was surprised to see you here,” he said slowly, releasing her and stepping back.

“Have you really been involved in the Stars program before?”

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