Page 53 of Class Act

“What does ‘kind of’ mean, exactly?” Meredith asked.

Aryn shrugged, trying to play it casual although she was failing. “He dated my best friend, so we spent some time around each other.”

“Where is bestie now?” Ruby asked, laying her menu down flat on the table. “And was it a tragic breakup?”

Aryn laughed. “I haven’t seen her in years. They dated our entire senior year of high school, but she went off to college in California, and I lost track of her. I don’t know what happened between her and Wesley. I was pretty surprised when he showed up as our new computer support tech this school year.”

“How surprised?” Lizzie asked. “Because your blush says you were shocked down to your knickers.”

That blush had been fading, but it roared back to life, and I suddenly remembered a conversation we’d had recently about a boy in high school who had left sweet notes of encouragement in her locker even though he’d been dating someone else. I chose to keep the observation to myself, but a little excitement wove through me at knowing there might be a love situation brewing right under our noses. I immediately let go of any thoughts about dating him. No way was I poaching that territory if it was a possibility for Aryn.

Aryn snorted. “We were only friendly in high school because we were thrown together a lot.”

“I thought you said you spent ‘some’ time around each other. Now you’re saying ‘a lot.’ Which is it?” Meredith asked, reaching again for the chips and salsa.

“Look, it’s not a big deal. Hailey brought him up, so I’m just telling you that I knew him way back when and he’s a nice guy.” She paused. “Or was. Quiet, studious, but nice.”

“Is he single?” I asked.

“Probably. He doesn’t wear a ring,” Aryn shrugged, trying to play like the answer carried no weight. “You could definitely ask him out.” Her words and tone didn’t match.

“Not all married men wear rings.” Ruby’s menu snapped back into place in front of her face.

“Have you asked him anything about the past fourteen years of life?” I pressed, playing like I wanted to know but really trying to decide how much Aryn and he had been talking already.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Hailey. Other than an awkward moment when we saw each other in the faculty lunchroom, we haven’t really spoken.”

Lizzie’s mouth twisted, her disappointment matching mine. “So you’re telling me that you run into this guy that you hung out with in high school and neither of you bother to chat it up? He’s been working at Washington for weeks now. Nothing?” Aryn shook her head. “And you’ve never breathed a word of it to us? What’s the story?”

“No story,” Aryn insisted.

“I guess I can’t date him then,” I said, mostly to see how Aryn would react.

“Why?” Aryn asked, and her expression looked worried. Interesting.

The server came to take our orders, and when she was gone Meredith looked at me.

“Why would you want to date him?” she asked.

“Mer, just because you don’t find him attractive . . . ” I began.

“No, no.” She waved her hands. “I mean, don’t you have some little thing brewing with Ford?”

Oh, now all eyes were on me. I felt my own blush crawl across my skin. “I’m not sure?”

“Confusion is the gateway to attraction,” Ruby said.

“I happen to know, for a fact, that Ford Whittaker stopped by your classroom during parent teacher conferences,” Lizzie stated. “Was there more of him helping himself to your wrist?”

She made it sound dirty, and I rolled my eyes as I shook my head. “Hillary stopped by, and he was in tow. They were there for five minutes, maybe less.” They all continued to gaze at me until I gave them a nugget to chew on. “He, um, asked me when the last time I’d been kissed was.”

“Whaaaat?” they all said together, eyes and mouths gaping.

“I . . . ” I shook my head, feeling a little embarrassed about even mentioning it. “He, well, it was kind of confusing.”

“I guess so,” Aryn stated, tilting her head. “When did that little switch happen?”

“Switch?” I asked.

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