Page 5 of Overdue Feelings
I slid into the driver’s seat, checked the rearview mirror, and grinned as Zae ran to my car to shut the door.
“I’ll drop the box by after drop off.” He leaned in and gave me one more kiss.
“Okay.”
“And remember,” he said into my ear, “I had you screaming my name before the bell rang this morning.”
I rolled my eyes, smirking as I buckled my seat belt.
“You play too much,” I said before he closed my door, and I pulled out of our driveway and down the street toward Sweet Pea Academy.
“Alright, Sweet Pea. Be good to me this year!”
I pulled into the parking lot of Sweet Pea Academy with barely a minute to spare. Zae slid into the space right behind me as I caught my reflection in the visor mirror. I swiped on a coat of lip gloss and reached for my tote bag. Before stepping out, Zae was already shrugging into his neon crossing guard vest. I stared at him. My man was fine with his deep brown skin and short, sponged twists. That crossing guard vest was doing nothing tohide his muscles and the tattoos that wrapped his forearms.Damn.
“I’ll meet you inside,” he called over his shoulder, jogging across the lot to direct the morning rush.
I adjusted my tote and hustled to the car rider line just as the first wave of students spilled out of back seats and SUV doors.
“Ms. Delaney!”
I turned toward the voice. Gemma, one of my old second graders, ran up with a huge grin and two missing front teeth.
“How are you, Gemma?” I bent down and hugged her tight. “Wow, you grew so much over the summer.”
“Yes! I’m eight now!”
“Is that right? Already in the third grade?”
She nodded proudly before sprinting off toward the front doors, her glittery backpack bouncing behind her.
One by one, more students arrived—arms waving, sneakers squeaking, ponytails swinging. I greeted each one like the little superstars they were, offering high-fives, hugs, and quick first-day pep talks.
By the time the final bell rang, the chaos had settled. Teachers ushered kids into classrooms, the doors closed, and the buzzing quieted into a steady hum.
“Mmhm. Look who finally graced us with her presence.”
I turned to see Nadine Kennedy, my teacher bestie and classroom neighbor, across the hall. She leaned against her doorframe, coffee in hand, eyebrows arched like she had tea ready to spill.
“Girl, if you and Coach Zae were any later, I was gonna start a rumor.”
I smirked. “Good morning to you too.”
“Mmhm, Ibetit was a good morning.” She took a dramatic sip from her travel mug.
Right on cue, Zae walked up beside me, carrying the giant box of book donations like it weighed nothing. He greeted Nadine with a smile and nodded before leaning down to kiss my cheek.
“See?” Nadine muttered with a grin. “Exactly why y’all were late.”
I rolled my eyes as Zae laughed.
We said our goodbyes and headed to the library. Just as we reached the door, Principal Voss appeared, clipboard in hand and her signature smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
“Ms. Delaney. Coach Bishop. Just the couple I needed to see.”
Crap. I straightened up. “Morning, Principal Voss.”
“I didn’t see you two at the staff meeting.”
