Page 89 of XOXO, Valentina

“It’s Joey.”

“Well, Joey, your muffins are scrumptious. I can see why everyone loves them. Can I have the recipe? My book club would love them.”

I leaned onto the counter and grabbed a pen and paper. “It’s no secret.” I scribbled down my favorite recipe website and slid the paper across her desk. “Every week they post a new flavor.”

Angie’s office door opened, and my heart stopped beating for a few seconds when I heard Gabriella’s voice. She was using that authoritative tone, which was a few octaves lower than her normal voice. I was going to miss hearing her voice during staff meetings.

My heart finally kicked into gear again, and I straightened up from Beth’s desk. Seeing Gabriella was like a punch to the gut. She was gorgeous with her hair pulled back from her face, emphasizing the symmetrical beauty of her face. Her brown eyes locked on mine, and color rose on her cheeks.

My stupid heart ached with the need to touch her.

She wore that blue top with the bow at the throat, which I’d imagined undoing so many times it was practically a memory.

Tension filled the air as we stared at each other. Gabriella’s eyes fired daggers at me. I fired back.

I cocked my chin at her. “Hello.”

A storm flashed in her eyes. “Hello.”

The strain between us pulsed like a heartbeat. Her gaze drifted over my crisply ironed shirt and tie and froze on the container in my hand. Her jaw dropped.

“You’re the muffin man?”

“Everyone knew it was me.”

Her eyes went wide. “I didn’t!”

My blood pounded in my head so loud, I couldn’t hear myself think. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at school?”

Angie’s eyes darted from me to Gabriella and back. She cleared her throat. “Gabi’s here because she’s mad that I finally stole you away. I’ve been trying to get Gabi over here for years, but she won’t budge. She insists public school is where she’s needed.”

“It’s true, and you know it.” Gabriella shifted her glare from my muffins to Angie. “Public schools are in need of great teachers and leaders.”

She was feisty when she was passionate about something. I loved watching her temper flare.

Angie smiled sympathetically. “We are doing everything we can to ease the stress of public education. Fernando is going to volunteer at several schools as part of his position as language director.”

Gabriella’s dark gaze swept back to me. “Language director?”

I nodded. The job came with lots of perks: better pay, flexible schedule, and no Gabriella to haunt the halls. I nodded at my new boss. “I’m eager to be part of the team.”

Gabriella scoffed. “I thought education was your number one priority.”

A vein pulsed in my forehead as I locked eyes with Gabriella. She knew exactly what buttons to push to anger me.

Angie stepped between Gabriella and me, breaking our staring contest. “I can assure you, the quality of education at Sapphire Valley Academy is superb.” She stepped aside. “Fernando, why don’t I show you your new office?” She led the way down the hall. “Come see, Gabi. Maybe when you come over to the dark side of academy learning, you can get one like it.”

“Never,” Gabriella murmured.

We went down the hall, following Angie through a maze of offices. She pointed out the break room, and I stashed the muffins on the counter for everyone to enjoy. Then she stopped in front of an empty office.

“This is yours,” she said, flipping on the lights.

The office was bigger than Gabriella’s, with a standard desk and chair, filing cabinets, and a window that faced a rolling green field.

“Make yourself at home and let me know if you need anything.” She stepped into the hall and leveled her gaze at Gabriella, then at me. “I’ll leave you two to get straight.”

As soon as Angie left, I strode to my desk, putting as much space as possible between me and Gabriella. I couldn’t be near her without wanting to touch her, and I hated myself for that. I’d left PES because I couldn’t bear to be around her, and here she was.

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