Page 30 of Savage in the Sweets
For one, I don’t like getting sloppy in my son’s school, with the mothers of his classmates. There’s too much danger of something getting back to Michael and making things awkward for him.
And even though it’s admittedly ridiculous, I don’t much like her thinly veiled contempt for Lacy. It didn’t seem at all like she was concerned with the children, and if I had to guess, I’d say there was a bit of a rivalry going on between them.
“Then I’ll be happy to give you a tour on Saturday.”
Her lips curve into a frown, her brow scrunching as though she can’t quite understand that I just turned her down.
“It was nice meeting you,” I say, hurrying past her toward the door.
I arrive at work a little before nine, immediately noticing a surprise waiting for me.
Wrapped in clear cellophane is a red, heart-shaped lollipop taped to my door. Attached to it is a note that reads:
A taste of what’s to come on Friday…if you play your cards right…
So I guess her being intoxicated wasn’t the reason behind those illicit photos. She really is interested.
Which means I’m definitely going to be on my best behavior.
I look over at Savage Sweets and see multiple patrons walking through the doors.
Now would not be a good time for a visit. Certainly not with what I have on my mind.
Instead, I go into the gym and tear the cellophane wrapping of the sucker and have my first lick of the savage treat.
It’s sinfully delicious, and as I indulge, I pull up the pictures that Lacy sent me.
This is going to be the longest three days of my entire life.
I bring up my camera and snap a picture of me, sucker in mouth, and send it to Lacy with the caption:
Remember, you promised me a lifetime supply.
I allow myself to entertain my filthy fantasies of her until the heart-shaped treat is done, then force my mind into work mode.
I finish lesson planning for the upcoming day camps I’m planning, then review the applications of the many high school students who have applied for positions.
What I’m proud of is that it’s not just jocks wanting to work at my facility. Many academic achievers want to assist in camps featuring strategy board games. I want every child that walks through my doors to feel like they belong.
Before Michael, I never thought much about these things. I figured I was putting enough good out into the world by becoming an EMT. I spent my downtime bar-hopping, bringing home casual flings, and drinking like a fish.
That all changed in a flash when meal planning, dirty diapers, and sleepless nights took center stage. Michael came in like a cyclone of chaos, changing everything, making it so I could no longer justify working as an EMT because the hours. That’s why I opened Might and Mind. It helped me achieve work-life balance while giving him and his peers a safe place to play.
Unfortunately, I never anticipated the meatheads working out at my establishment to say things like “get laid” around young children.
That’s going to change real quick, and I remind myself to send an email to my other location, telling them to expel any patrons that talk vulgar in front of minors.
After balancing my books, I figure it’s time to practice what I preach and do a stretch on a treadmill. Working out always helps me think straight, and if there’s one thing I need after last night, it’s a clear head.
But of course, before I climb on, I have to give one last look at the pictures Lacy sent.
If I wanted a woman in my life, it wouldn’t be hard to find one. I’ve spent the last seven years single for a reason: no one has inspired me to want to be in a relationship.
And yet, Lacy, who undoubtedly loathes me in some capacity, is the only woman to hold my interest. It would be easy to assume that it was due to the explicit picture she sent, but the truth is, I’d been thinking about her ever since the school board meeting. Part of it is due to her looks, but the way she stood up to me, stood up for herself, had me admittedly charmed.
I don’t want a doormat, and although I might strongly believe that I’m correct in calling for her business’s expulsion from school grounds, I don’t think she’s a bad person.
She’s interesting, complicated, ridiculously hot, and if I had to guess—horny. All very interesting adjectives that I’m one-hundred-percent on board with.
