Page 37 of Rum & Coke
“You kids have a nice night—or early morning. This old lady needs her bed.”
“Sorry I’m later than usual. I had a situation after work that Vinny is helping me with,” Tessa admitted, and because she brought it up, I got the impression she looked up to this lady as either a mother figure or grandmother.
“What kind of situation?” Sophia asked, stopping just before she reached the door.
Tessa sighed and looked at me.
“Someone was following her home, and I’m helping her take care of it.”
“Oh my,” she gasped and walked the few feet to Tessa. “Are you okay?” She grabbed her hands.
“I am.”
“It was smart calling Vinny.”
Tessa’s blue eyes looked at me. “I had no one else.”
“I’m all you need,” I stated.
Sophia grinned at me. “Listen to this boy. You need a good man in your life.”
“I know,” Tessa admitted and smiled at me.
“Let me walk you home,” I said to Sophia and started for the door.
“Thank you. Now, Tessa, please call me if you need me.”
“I will,” Tessa replied.
I opened the door, and Sophia and I stepped out. “Lock it,” I stated to Tessa. She nodded, and I went in the direction Sophia led me. “What are your intentions with my Tessa?”
I smiled. Definitely a mother or grandmother figure, and I liked that. I liked her. “Honestly, I’m not sure.”
“What do you mean?”
“I like her, I really do, but you know what I do on the side, right?”
She stopped walking, and I looked down at her. “I actually don’t know what you do for a living.”
“Oh. Well, I’m actually a special ed teacher and will be Colton’s kindergarten teacher this fall.”
“Really?” Her eyes brightened.
I nodded. “Really. I also work as an escort.”
“Oh my,” she gasped.
I chuckled. “Yeah.”
Sophia turned toward the door we stopped in front of and stuck a key into the lock. “I’m sure you kids will work it out if it’s meant to be.”
I grinned. “I hope so.”
“Now, get back to our girl and do whatever needs to be done to keep her safe.”
“Will do. It was nice meeting you,” I stated again.
“Likewise. Have a good … morning.”
