Page 30 of False Start

"Thanks so much for agreeing to this, D!" Tiffany says as she wraps me in a hug.

She's been downrightannoyinglythankful since I told her I'd be happy to teach a course on fashion design. Apparently, several of the junior high girls at the community center Tiff runs started pestering her about it when she mentioned she knew a real-life designer.

"It's no problem at all," I answer, giving her a light pat on her back to release me. To my relief, she does.

"Well, let's hope you're still saying that in three hours. All thirty spots of your class are booked and the students are in there waiting."

My eyes widen.

"Thirty? I thought I agreed to a cap of twenty!"

Tiff has the decency to look contrite.

"I knoooow," she wails dramatically, drawing the word out. There must be an apology in there somewhere, but before I can protest further, she takes my arm, practically dragging me toward the classroom.

"Think of it this way," she pleads with puppy dog eyes. "It's because they're so excited to take your class! They won't give you any trouble."

I roll my eyes.

"'It seems pretty farfetched that thirty junior high kids," I use air quotes, "'won't give me any trouble'."

"You think I'd send you in there alone?" Tiff's pasted a too-big smile on her face. She probably senses I'm not super thrilled to have to wrangle more students than a trained teacher. What the hell am I going to do with thirty teenagers?

"Maya's teaching today too, and she brought in a new volunteer. He's already in the room with your students. I figured you could use the help, especially on your first day."

Tiffany's still pushing me steadily towards the classroom, and after a few more steps, I stop fighting her. Thirty kids isa lot, but that means thirty kids wanted to takemyclass. Thirty kids that could potentially wind up fashion designers thatIinfluenced. The ego boost is substantial.

When we round the corner, Tiff opens the door to the first room in the hallway. I immediately shut it.

"Why didn't you tell meCorywould be here?" I demand. If I'd known I was going to walk out of Dr. Jamison's office right into an ambush, I would've bought a way bigger post-therapy cookie.

Tiffany looks at me curiously.

"I told you Maya brought in a volunteer."

"But you didn't tell me it was Cory," I hiss.

Tiff's eyebrows race up her forehead.

"Is there a problem with him helping you?"

There shouldn't be, should there, Denise?! To everyone else, Cory is just your best friend's husband's brother that you met weeks ago at a wedding.

I need to get it together. If I keep freaking out like this, I'll blow our cover, if I haven't already. I clear my throat and force a smile.

"No, not at all," I lie. "It's just the last time I saw him,"that you know of, "I remember we all agreed he was bad news. And you say he came in with Maya? I thought they hated each other."

"You and me, both," Tiffany replies. "But they're family now, right? Maybe he's turning over a new leaf. Either way, I'm not gonna turn down an extra volunteer on a Saturday. It's the busiest day of the week!"

One look around the bustling hallway confirms her words. It's obvious Tiffany shouldn't have to worry about Cory and me on top of everything else.

"It'll be fine," I reassure her. "And thank you for letting me use the volunteer. I'm sure the other teachers wouldn't have minded the help."

She's still looking at me like she's trying to solve a puzzle, but odds are low she'd guess Cory was my sneaky link. More than likely, she thinks I just have a problem with Adam's asshole brother. Technically, Ishould.

"Uh. OK…right. Have a great first class then, and text me if there's an emergency."

With one final dubious look, she gives me a nod and then walks back to the front office.

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