Page 51 of Best Frenemies

“The reason you became a teacher.”

I nod. “What about you? What sent you down this path?”

She shrugs. “I’ve always been driven to help people. To set them up for success. My parents had me at sixteen, and a lot of people turned their backs on them. They had a couple of teachers, though, who made it their mission to make sure the three of us had a chance. They tutored them for free to complete their GEDs and even helped set them up with first jobs that could accommodate a kid.”

“That’s incredible.” I smile. I can’t help it. Stories like Katy’s are the kind I live for. It also makes me a little sad that it’s taken us this long to actually get to know each other like this.

“It was what they needed to make it,” she says with an agreeing nod. “And they worked hard. I can’t thank my parents enough for the life they gave me. But out of the three of us, I’ve always been the old soul.”

“And I’m the good-time guy,” I add with a teasing grin. “No wonder you can’t stand me.”

“I never said I couldn’t stand you.”

I chuckle. “Maybe not out loud, but…c’mon, Katy Cat, everyone at Calhoun knows you’re not my biggest fan.”

“No… I mean…” Her cheeks turn a gorgeous shade of pink as she trips over her words. “You’re just…”

“What? Horrible?”

“N-no. I…” She stammers for a moment, and a guilty grin covers her mouth. “I was going to say you’re somewhat of a thorn in my side at work. But, hey. The more I think about it, you’re right. It’s probably the school’s fault for putting our classrooms where they did.”

“You don’t have to try to make me feel better.”

“No, really,” she answers, and her voice rings out with raw honesty. “Most of my issues are noise-related, and well, I guess you are a music teacher. It’s never going to be quiet. I just wish you weren’t right next door. I mean, you have to understand that teaching math to elementary kids with a live concert echoing inside my classroom isn’t exactly easy.”

Damn, I guess I never really thought about it like that.

“And I’d be a real jerk if I didn’t admit that you’ve surprised me on this unexpected vacation,” she says, but her voice is quieter than before. “Besides stealing my wine and donuts, you’ve been really great to me. Who knows, if it weren’t for you, I might’ve let myself bleed out on the beach.”

Inside, I’m fist-pumping the air at her words, but on the outside, I keep my shit together.

“I’m glad I was there,” I tell her and mean every word. “And when it comes to work, maybe I can petition the school board to start a foreign classroom exchange program,” I joke, making her laugh outright. She’s beautiful always, but cackling like a hyena? Her infectious joy just about makes my heart stop.

“Sounds like a plan,” she eventually says once she catches her breath. “I’ll apply for one in the east wing.”

“Only problem then is that I wouldn’t see you every day.”

Her eyes lock with mine. “Yeah, and?”

The truth is too close to the tip of my tongue to hold it back.

“And then I’d have to miss you.”

Even when she’s stalking into my classroom, flashing the stink eye and ready to read me the riot act over volume level, I’m still happy to see her.

Fuck. I’malwayshappy to see her. And this vacation with her hasn’t done anything but magnify that.

Katy

Setting my plate in the sink, I take a deep breath and try to get my head right.

My body buzzes, and my stomach turns over on itself with an unexpected wave of emotions. Mack Houston wouldmiss meif he didn’t see me?

My brain reels as I try to make sense of the reality I’ve known for the last five years teaching at Calhoun versus the experience of this vacation. Even though it started off as rocky and included a trip to the ER, I’ve had fun with him. The most fun I’ve had in a really long time, if I’m honest.

Is Anna right? Has Mack been likable this whole time, and I’ve just been the neurotic pain in the ass preventing myself from seeing it?

The me who’s spent so many years teaching beside him thinks it’s impossible, but the me who’s experienced him taking care of me and making sure I had a good birthday and is currently stuffed full of homemade spaghetti and garlic bread, compliments of him, thinks differently.

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