Page 83

Confession: I like pink.
Cohen jumped out of bed, faster than I’d ever seen another human move.
“Who is it?” I hissed.
“Ollie!”
My eyes widened, and I got out of bed, hurrying to throw on my dress and what was left of my underwear. Ollie seeing us together would be the end of everything, especially my job.
“Get in the closet,” Cohen whispered. “I’ll tell you when you can go.”
I grabbed my sandals and my purse and ran to the closet, trying to stifle my breathing and stay as quiet as possible.
I couldn’t believe this was how today was ending. That I was hiding in a closet like the other woman. But then again, wasn’t this what we’d signed up for? Wasn’t this all supposed to stay a secret?
Through the door, I could hear dishes quickly being put away. Soft voices. Footsteps in the hallway, a bathroom door opening.
I closed my eyes, shaking my head. This was so humiliating. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible and then find my own place even sooner than that. Then Cohen could come over and we wouldn’t have to worry about interruptions or anyone catching us. I could still feel his cum sliding out of me, for Christ’s sake.
There were voices, laughs, and then I heard the front door open again. Soon after, the closet door opened, and Cohen took me into his arms.
“I’m so sorry about that,” he said, kissing the top of my head.
For some reason, I felt like crying, but I blinked and shook my head. “We lost track of time. It’s no big deal.”
“You know I had an amazing time.” He stepped back, his hands on my shoulders. He was dressed in sweats and a T-shirt now and sitting in a bed I’d only slept in once before. “I wish you could stay.”
I managed a smile. “The closet probably wouldn’t be comfortable overnight.”
He chuckled and ran the pad of his thumb over my cheek. “He just came home early this weekend. He’ll be here until Friday. Can you come over after work?”
I smiled and nodded, trying to ignore how long just six days away from Cohen felt. “I need to be at the football game that night to take tickets, but I can come after.” I bent and slipped on my sandals, then stood to face him. We both knew it was time for me to go. Accepting that fact—that was another story. “Am I safe to leave?”
“Ollie went to get us a snack from the drive-through.” Standing again, he slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer until he could place a soft kiss on my lips. “Someday I’ll be able to take you out. And you’ll be able to stay the night. And I’ll parade you around like the queen you are.”
Smiling, I kissed him back. “I’ll look forward to that.” I hoped that day would come, but I knew better than planning on happily ever after. All I had with Cohen was the best night of my life and a dream.
As I pulled out of the apartment’s parking garage, I realized I didn’t feel like going home right away. So instead, I went to the store Cohen had taken me to the first night we met. The thought of going back to work in boring black was impossible when Cohen had shown me every color of the rainbow.
I walked down the aisles of clothing, casually combing through the larger straight sizes and smaller plus sizes until I found a couple of brightly colored dresses and even a hot-pink pencil skirt.
None of the teachers at the Academy dressed so colorfully, but maybe it was time I started. Something Cohen had said that first night stood out to me. He’d said that by dressing how I chose I would wordlessly give students permission to be themselves.
But maybe I needed to give myself that permission as well.
45
Birdie
Confession: I fall...fast.
Walking into school on Monday in my new clothes, I felt like a new woman. I could still feel the effects of Cohen on my body. The tender spots on my hips where he’d grabbed me tight. The way any little thing could send my mind back to thinking of him.
For the first time in a long time, I felt giddy, infatuated, whatever this was, and I couldn’t get enough.
On my way to get coffee, one of the popular girls, Olivia Nelson, greeted me. “Nice skirt, Ms. M. I need some sunglasses with you around.”
I knew she was making fun of me, and my first instinct was to shy away. To make some self-deprecating joke. But then I noticed Sierra Cook a few lockers down and thought of her being brave enough to make her own choices after high school. I could wear a skirt.