Page 6 of Shake Your Love
“Bad girl,” Paige laughs, scooping the kitten up.
“No,goodgirl. If I hadn’t found her, would I be feeding a beautiful woman my food? Not a chance.” Paige frowns as she pulls back to wipe her mouth. Her glare up at me cools the heat coursing through me in an instant.
How could I be such an idiot again?
Chapter Four
Paige
Tiffany said it best:Could’ve Been.
What could have been? I have asked myself this every ten minutes or so since Pierce kissed me two days ago. Could we have kissed more? Would I have told him he was the first man I ever kissed that way? Could he have sworn his undying devotion to me till the end of time? I like to think so.
His comment about feeding me struck a nerve he has no idea even exists. Watching him cook, eating his food is almost an aphrodisiac. After he kissed me, eating with him was almost intimate. I let my own beliefs about my size, my weight, my too big thighs or too soft tummy ruin the night. I got no more kisses and zero indication he would ever want to kiss me again.
Sighing as I cuddle with Frenchie while we watchMurder, She Wrote, I consider a dozen would have, could have, should haves. None of them end with me sitting in the darkness of my new place, eating Baskin Robins and watching bad murder mysteries. Oh, that’s not fair—I loveJessica Fletcher.
“Pierce hated the kiss. I was not at my best. No time to prepare. How could I know a hot dude was going to kiss me before feeding me the best chicken and waffles of my life?”
Frenchie stares at me for a moment before she meows, as if agreeing. Laughing at the ridiculous argument, I snuggle deeper in the battered couch I bought at Goodwill yesterday. Getting it in here was a hassle—if I had nerve, I could’ve used the excuse to go talk Pierce.
“Ask him why he kissed me then never touched me again. Or like, why hasn’t he called or invited me over to his place again? Doesn’t he know I am eating awful takeout food tosurvive? It’s downright grody, Frenchie.”
Another meow is all I get from her. Smiling, I shake my head at myself. I have gone twenty-four years without a man in my life. Relations do not count dude. Just because Pierce is a total babe, cooks delish’ food, and might be the sweetest man I ever met, doesn’t mean he is it for me.
“What if no one is it for me?”
Lying in the afternoon sun, my skin sticky from the heat, I sigh once again. Mother always said I air on the dramatic side. A trait passed on from my grandmother, the ultimate drama queen. Lying on the couch, I think of her and how she built a life she could be proud of all on her own.
“I can do it too,” I tell myself and Frenchie. “Decide what I want to do, who I want to be, anddo it.”
Recalling Pierce’s comment about us having choices, I agree. Giving Frenchie one last squeeze, I open a can of tuna for her, setting it out on my mother’s fine China. Nothing but the best for my little princess.
Taking a long, hot shower, I scrub all my bits, wash and condition my hair, then set to making myself presentable. Curling my hair, I feather my bangs, not too high or too stiff with Aqua-Net. Doing a light dusting of makeup, I finish the look off with a block-colored jacket and a form fitting dress that makes me feel professional and put together.
“Now, go impress someone and get your life started, girlfriend!”
Heading out, I make the rounds of Pine Grove, cranking the latest Heart album. Music is my first love, even before good food. On my long drive through my new home, I am struck by inspiration. Similar to my mother before me, teaching has always called to me. It was the way I figured I could make some sort of impact on the world.
Slowing down at the school, I take a deep breath. It is asmall town, and I am sure very close-knit. I have no idea if they need a teacher or if my lack of experience will hurt. All I can hope is they will be willing to give me a chance. That I can prove my passion will be enough to make a difference.
Going inside with my shoulders squared, my head high, I try to appear prepared. Determined. Finding my way to the front desk, I wonder if I am fooling anyone but myself. Waiting to speak with the receptionist, I see some postings on a bulletin board, and I smile to myself.
“I will take that,” I say out loud, snatching the “now hiring music teacher” sign off the board. “Calling this a sign from somewhere.”
“Hi, how can I help you darling?”
Smiling at the receptionist, I slide the paper across the counter. “You can tell me how to become your next music teacher.”
Two hours of the best conversation with the principal Valerie—my new boss, ahem—later, I walk out with my head still held high. It feels as if I am living a Katrina and The Waves song in real time.Walking On Sunshine! I cannot wait to start a new position teaching music to the kids in Pine Grove.
Starting a new life here is going better than I expected. Coming here was me taking a chance on my ability to do this on my own. To make choices for myself. Now I have a place, one I am making my own a little at a time. Now a new career starts next semester, just a few weeks away.
Could I have something else—maybe a hot cook for a boyfriend?
Bursting with a punch of bravery, I race towards the diner. Parking out front, I fuss with my hair, put fresh gloss on my pink lips, and pep talk myself into believing I can do this. I can do this. He said it himself, didn’t he?There is nothing stopping you but yourself, Pierce said—and I want to believe that. I aspire tobe bold enough to let nothing stop me.
Storming inside with my head full of his words, of how nice that kiss was and how badly I want more, I stop short inside. Just the colorful waitress and Pierce stand there, looking back at me. He seems shocked to see me. Why would he be? I gave him my number, I kissed him back, I took that sweet kitten, and we named her together.
