Page 23 of The Front Runner
The lively rat is growing on me every day. It’s nice having someone who needs me. And the moment that thought flits through my head, my phone screen lights up withRuby Creek High Calling,and my stomach plummets.
Nadia moved here a year ago from Romania after being kicked out of her aunt and uncle’s house. She’s struggling—I can tell—but no one has ever equipped me to be the parent and guardian of a nineteen-year-old with a massive chip on her shoulder. Nannies and headmasters raised me, and I ran in a pack of poorly behaved rich boys—unfortunately, Nadia’s upbringing isn’t so different. She failed her senior year here, so she’s back for a second try. And terrorizing all the teachers and administrators in the process. No one in this small town is equipped for her.
“Yup,” I answer the phone brusquely.
“Mr. Dalca, this is Principal Cooper. Can you come down to the school for a conversation with Nadia and me?”
I sigh out in frustration. “Is she okay?”
“Yes.” The man’s voice is clipped.
“Okay. I’ll be right there.”
What’s it going to be this time?
* * *
My mouth goesdry when I swing open the door. Mira is standing on the front landing wearing a gray cable-knit sweater dress with cream thigh-high socks beneath a pair of tall black suede boots. A thick black wool coat with oversized buttons and matching cream plaid print falls open at her sides, like a present that has already been partially unwrapped. She looks cozy and sensual all at once, with her black hair smoothed out straight, a heavy mane spilling down over her shoulders.
She looksedible.
“What are you wearing?” Her face scrunches up as she looks me over from top to bottom.
“What do you mean?” I peer down at my clothes, checking for a stain or something.
She looks slightly flustered as she waves a hand over me. “Just the turtleneck. And the glasses.”
I open one arm to usher her into the house. “What about them?”
She ignores the gesture and licks her lips, shaking her head as if to clear it. “Nothing.” She laughs sharply. “You look like you were shooting a professor themed porno or something.”
I wink at her. “Maybe I was.”
Mira rolls her eyes and dramatically tips her head back with a groan. I don’t miss the way her cheeks pink at my joke. And as much as I should regret the comment, I don’t. She’s the most fascinating dichotomy. Confident and cool, while being shy and awkward all at once. She keeps me on my toes. I just never quite know how she’s going to react.
“Let’s go get this over with.” She hikes a thumb over her shoulder.
I ignore the punch her words deliver. “So, minor change of plans.”
Her slightly upturned almond-shaped eyes narrow at me, and I swear if looks could kill, I’d crumple to the floor on the spot. “No. No change of plans.”
“I don’t think I can, in good conscience, leave my sister home alone tonight.”
Her puffy lips roll together. “Why?”
“She had a bad day and could use some company. I promise I still gave my Amex a workout on your behalf. I have excellent wine and beautiful food and if you come in, I will provide you with a perfectly platonic home cooked meal.”
Her eyes dart behind me into the house, like she’s trying to gauge if I’m lying. A growl rumbles in my chest. “For crying out loud, Mira. Let me feed you and then you can turn around and go home. In fact, you are welcome to leave any time you want. I’m not going to murder anyone in here.”
She steps into the foyer begrudgingly and mutters, “No, you’ll just be filming porn.”
I laugh, closing the heavy door behind us before reaching out to take her coat and hang it for her. I try not to focus on the hum of the zipper as she bends down to remove her boots.
“Leave the boots.”
Her eyes dart up to mine. “Inside the house?”
I just shrug. Trying to play it casual. “Yeah. You look nice.” What I don’t say is that those boots and socks are giving me all sorts of ideas that I shouldn’t be having about her. What I don’t say is that I’d like to see her injustthe boots.
