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“Dad, I want to be picked up.” Nathan tugged on Xavier’s pants. “Why does Charlie always get picked up?”

Xavier glanced down at his son, but snapped his eyes back to me, like he was expecting me to disappear.

“Do you two know each other?” Emily said, slightly surprised. She walked to her husband’s side. It burnt me think that. Husband. He was meant to be mine.

Shaking my head, “Um, yeah. Mr. Clark is my teacher.” I smiled warmly at Emily. “Really small world.”

Emily smiled and nodded her head. “It really is. So you must be the famous Chloe.”

I frowned and glanced sideways at Xavier before returning my attention to his wife. “I don’t think I’m famous.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. I think your one of his favorite students.” She winked at me and placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder. “I heard about your sporting abilities.” She smiled.

I opened my mouth and closed it again. What was I meant to say to that? He had spoken about me to his wife? That was beyond awkward and entered strange. I should say something. I needed something to say back.

“Um, well I, I mean we, the class have heard so much about his wife. It’s great to finally meet you.” I smiled at her, hiding the fact that I was lying. Emily’s smile seemed to get bigger.

“I’m surprised you know about me! Xavier won’t even wear a wedding ring.” She said her voice still light. Xavier doesn’t wear a ring because he was keeping it from me. I wanted to throw at her.

“Men are strange.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Charlie will have to teach you some of his skills to convince Mr. Clark.” I smiled.

Xavier just stared at me with complete shock. His expression screamed, ‘Shit, I’ve been caught.’ And he had.

Emily laughed, smiling up at Xavier. “Yeah, our boys have blackmailing down to a fine art.”

“That they do.” I nodded my head and stuffed my hands in my pockets. “Well, I should be going.”

“Choc has to go. Put me down, Dad.” Charlie ordered and wiggled in Xavier’s arms. Xavier slowly lowered Charlie to the ground. As soon as the kid’s legs touched the ground, he ran in my direction.

“Can we play together another time?” Charlie asked, looking up at me.

“Um, maybe. We’ll see.” I smiled down at him and arched an eyebrow. “Over the whole water thing then, are we?”

Charlie cocked his head to the side and grinned at me. “Yeah, I got you back.”

Glancing down at my wet jeans, I said, “That you did.”

Nathan ran to Charlie’s side and pushed him roughly away from me. “I think we made a better team, Choc,” Nathan said happily, ignoring his brother’s complaints.

Smiling at Nathan, I sent him a wink. “I’ve got to go, guys. See you around.” I turned my head to Emily “Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Clark.” Glancing sideways at Xavier, I said, “See you in class, Mr. Clark.”

“Bye, Chloe. You too.” Emily smiled at me while the boys sung ‘bye, Choc’ together, before sprinting off to their parents’ sides and starting to nag for ice cream.

Turning my back on them, I let an unsteady breath out. I hated fate right now. Just keep walking, Chloe. Each step is a step farther away from him.

“Em, you take the boys and get them ice cream. I just want to talk to Chloe about something,” I heard Xavier say behind me. Cursing myself as he called my name, I heard his footsteps jog up behind me. “Chloe, wait.”

Stopping, I put a fake smile on and turned to face him. “Yes, Mr. Clark?”

Xavier’s expression was dry. “They’re gone.” I glanced over his shoulder and saw the retreating backs of his family as they walked in the direction of the market.

My smile fell from my face instantly and my face went blank. “What do you want then?”

Xavier looked nervous. “You know then.” He wouldn’t meet my eye, and he suddenly found interest in the ground. I could feel his shame emanating from his body as he stood there.

“You mean, did someone tell me you had a family?” I arched an eyebrow. “Yeah, I got filled in. But I didn’t know they were it.” I crossed my arms and tried really hard not to just rant at him and give vent to all my feelings.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” he muttered. “I just thought it would be easier for you if you didn’t know.”