Page 15 of Hale Yeah, It’s You

By Monday morning I have everything set up.

Since the hardware store is closed Sundays and Mike is willing to take over the Friday and Saturday shifts for a few months, Mom and Dad readily agreed to take over the store the other four days of the week.

They all but jumped at the idea of me taking a small vacation from the store.

I didn’t think anyone cared that much about my overworking tendencies, but I guess they were paying more attention than I gave them credit for.

Sunday, Clay was called into work before the sun came up, saving me from more awkward half conversations with him. Alayna and I spent the day with my parents, and as soon as she was distracted on the phone with Summer, I brought up my proposal to Mom and Dad.

Mom’s exact words were, “Yes, please, get a life outside of that dusty place.” Dad was beyond thrilled to be needed at the shop again. It felt like a win-win for all of us.

I don’t tell Clay my plans, even though part of me wants to.

I know he’ll be happy for Alayna and the theater kids, and for the fact that I’m taking an active role in the school production.

But I also know it will open the door to a barrage of questions about Roman and how I plan to handle seeing him every day.

The thing is, I don’t know for sure that Roman will even let me get away with this idea, nor do I believe for a second that he’s going to volunteer his own time and be up close and personal with me while I’m working.

No matter how much I want that to be the case.

Even though we fought the last time we were in the same room, I can’t shake off this need to be close to him.

To find closure for the past.

Maybe set the tone for our future.

I wait for the first school bell to ring before heading up to the front door.

I don’t want Alayna to see me or to hear anything about my plan until I have Roman’s approval.

Better that she doesn’t get caught anymore in the crossfire of my past relationship.

It’s not her fault I didn’t make it clear she’s not my child the other night. That one is completely on me.

The double doors at the front of the building are unlocked, but they only lead to a glass box entry where you show your ID before being buzzed into the main building.

It’s not wide open like it was on the first day of school.

Ms. Payton, one of the school secretaries, who was a year ahead of me in school, smiles brightly at me as I walk in.

I’m a little relieved, as I was expecting Mrs. Brosnan.

“Frankie! What a surprise! What can we help you with this morning?” Her pretty blonde hair is pulled back into a sleek twist, and I can’t help but wonder if she’s paying more attention to her appearance due to a certain sexy principal working here.

When we saw her in the summer for registration, she looked frumpy and not at all as made up as she is today.

Can’t say I can blame her for her efforts though; she looks fantastic.

“Hi, Ms. Payton.”

“Please, call me Kate. We know each other too well for all that fuss.” She taps a pen on her lips .

“Kate.” I nod. We don’t know each other well at all, but I suppose in this town everyone thinks they know all your business. “I was actually hoping I could speak with Dr. Clarke.”

Kate’s eyes go wide and she bites the pen in her hand. She obviously knows that Roman and I have a history. “Well, he’s a very busy man, let me run over to his office and see if he has time to squeeze you in.”

“Thanks, I appreciate your help.” I smooth my hands over the black pencil skirt I suddenly regret wearing.

Skirts were always Roman’s favorite on me, and I was hoping it might help convince him to keep me around.

I paired the skirt with a pair of light pink stilettos and a matching pink blouse; the look is feminine but still professional.

I look like a sexy, badass business woman, and why shouldn't I? That’s entirely who I am now.

I swallow, trying to truly believe those words.

“Oh, Frankie?” Kate calls to me, looking back at me over her shoulder. “What should I tell him this meeting is pertaining to?”

I smile, knowing she probably thinks I’m here for personal reasons. I’m sure she’s dying to tell the town gossip mill that I’ve been here asking for Roman. She’s not entirely wrong, but I play it cool. “Donations and supplies for the school play.”

Her smile falls a little but she nods and walks out of view. I take a seat in one of the two old vinyl chairs and try not to shake my leg as I wait.

The door beside me buzzes before it clicks open. Kate holds it open for me. The warm smile she had for me earlier is gone and she’s all business now. “He’s ready for you. I imagine you remember which door it is?”

“Thanks Kate, I do.” I walk past her, my heels clicking on the freshly waxed floors. My heart pumps hard in my chest as if I’ve been running instead of sitting quietly in the foyer. I take one last deep breath and then turn the handle for Roman’s office.

Roman is sitting behind his desk, his phone pressed to his ear and he’s staring out the window.

He hasn’t seen me yet and I take a minute to look him over.

His tie is loose, suit jacket slung over the back of his chair, and his shirt sleeves are pushed up, revealing the tan skin of his arms. He looks tense, stressed.

His hair is messed up as if he’s run his hands through it a dozen times, and god, the effect is seductive as hell.

“Yes, Mrs. Abrams, I understand what you’re saying, but if James doesn’t make it to practice, he won’t be playing in any of the games. Attendance is important, don’t let him make this a habit.” His voice vibrates with authority, and my pulse reacts to the sound.

“Wonderful, have a great day.” He finishes the call and presses the phone back into the cradle, a little harder than necessary. I’ve obviously caught him on a stressful morning; hopefully that doesn’t mean he won’t want to hear me out.

“Rough morning?” I ask softly, letting him know I’ve entered the office. He looks up, turning his chair forward, his eyes slowly climbing from my heels up to my face. My cheeks burn hot under his gaze.

“Some of these parents have a hard time hearing that their babies aren’t always perfect little angels.” He sighs. “Come on in, Frankie, take a seat. I hear you have something to tell me about the school play.”

Shutting the door behind me, I walk slowly, not trusting my legs to carry me to the chair. He looks so damn good behind that desk, it’s disarming. I never would have guessed he’d work in the education field, though I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me–he was an excellent student himself.

I sit on one of the old wooden chairs in front of Roman’s desk and try not to think about the last time I sat in this chair, when we’d been getting yelled at for our attempt at a senior prank.

Apparently the faculty didn’t find two dozen chickens running the halls quite as hilarious as we had.

Even on his worst day Roman is a lot more pleasant than Mr. Garret, and this time I’m nervous for all different reasons.

This time, I’m the only chicken in the office .

I clear my throat and sit taller, “Hale Hardware would like to donate lumber, tools, supplies, paint, and labor. Basically, whatever we have that can be used for the school production. We heard about your unfortunate water damage issue, and we’d love to give back to the community.

We can start bringing supplies in as early as tomorrow and work around the clock for as long as you will have us.

” I say “we,” but it’s really only me that will be here. I don’t offer up that tidbit.

Roman laces his fingers together on top of the desk, his eyes never leaving mine. “That’s a mighty big donation, Mrs. Phillips.”

I shake my head. “I’m not Mrs. Phillips, Roman. I already told you I’m not married.”

He quirks one eyebrow but says nothing. When he stays silent, I continue.

“As you are probably aware, Alayna is playing the lead role, and when she informed us that you needed donations, it was the least we could do. My family has always made it a point to give back to the community, and while the sports teams seem to get most of the fundraising opportunities in this town, we’d like to match that effort for the theater.

” I swallow, my cheeks turning pink under Roman’s steady gaze.

He really thinks that Clay and I are a couple, and I’ve done nothing to clear that up, except to tell him I’m not Clay’s wife.

Even at face value, Clay and Roman couldn’t be more different.

Clay’s features are softer, his blond hair and blue eyes both light and welcoming.

His voice has become even more gentle after years of fatherhood.

Roman, by contrast, is made of chiseled lines, dark hair, and striking hazel eyes.

His voice is laced with a dark authority, begging you to challenge him.

Yet, somehow I find them both intriguing and loveable in their own ways.

Maybe I’ve been alone for too long.

Roman’s deep voice pulls me from my thoughts.

“Well, you’ll have to run all this by Mrs. Betty, as the theater is her department, but I can’t see any reason why she’d have a problem with it.

We’ll need to get background checks and badges for anyone who will be working on campus, but we can have those through and back by Wednesday if you and Mrs. Betty would like to get started on Thursday.

I’ll give you a temporary visitor badge when we finish here, and you can go speak with her.

If I remember correctly, she has a free period next. ”

He sits back in his chair, letting out a heavy sigh.

“It’s just me.” I blurt out. I don’t want to play any more games with Roman, I want a shot at a real conversation with him. This is my chance.