Page 40 of Crossed

“What are you doing here anyway?” I ask, finally forcing myself to take a step back.

He follows, keeping himself so close, frissons of electricity dance off my skin.

“I thought you already knew?” He smirks, leaning down until I’m engulfed in his shadow, his lips skimming across the shell of my ear. “I’m stalking you, petite pécheresse.” Goose bumps sprinkle down my spine.

“Miss Paquette,” a sharp voice rings from down the hall, followed by a click- clack of heels.

Father Cade backs up immediately, but I would swear on everything that his lips just brushed against the top of my head before he did.

“Au revoir, Miss Paquette.”

And then he’s gone, his long strides heading away from me and out of the building entirely.

My heart flutters, completely out of my control, and I fucking hate the way it feels.

I flip around and try like hell to clear my expression. “Principal Lee, I was just coming to see you.”

Her eyes flick past me to where Father Cade just was and then back again. “You should have called before coming in.”

Her coldness doesn’t detract from the light in my heart at Quinten being included, so I brush off the biting words and force a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry. I figured I’d drop by on my way to pick up Quin. It’s just a couple of permission slips, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Thanks for including Quin,” I say. “I can’t explain how much it means to— ”

“Every student can participate, Miss Paquette,” she cuts me off. “Normally the slips get sent home, but, well…I wasn’t sure they’d ever make it to you.”

Her subtle jab hits me right beneath the ribs as I follow her into the main office. It smells like reheated lasagna and stuffy air, and I crinkle my nose as we make our way to the front desk.

“Carla, make sure Miss Paquette signs the permission forms for Quinten to take part in the children’s play during the festival,” Principal Lee directs the school secretary.

I smile at Carla before giving my attention back to Principal Lee, who’s staring at me with her hip leaned against the desk and her arms crossed over her chest.

“I didn’t know you were still a practicing Catholic,” she says.

“I’m sorry?” It’s hardly her business what religion I am.

“Father Cade.” She nods toward the open door.

“Oh.” I tilt my head. “I didn’t realize you needed to be Catholic to talk to him. What was he doing here anyway?”

It’s not really my concern, but I ask anyway, the curiosity overwhelming my need to be polite.

“Father Cade’s been here all afternoon helping us get ready for the festival.” Her lips thin. “I figured you knew that already.”

“Why wouldIknow that?”

Her attitude is tiring, and honestly, I don’t have the energy to keep entertaining her snide remarks and less than subtle innuendos about…whatever it is she’s trying to insinuate.

She blinks at me in confusion before tapping the papers Carla just placed on the desk and sliding them toward me.

“Because he’s the one who suggested Quinten be in the play.”

Chapter15

Cade

IT WASN’T MY INTENTION TO RUN INTO AMAYA AT Louis Elementary, but even with the threat of other people around, I find her impossible to resist.