Page 136 of I Don't Need Your Romance

His chest rumbles with a laugh as he closes his mouth over mine.

Chapter Forty-Two

Sophie

Damian and I walk hand in hand to his apartment. His mom invited us for dinner and I’m really excited. Okay, I’m also a little nervous. The same way Damian was a little nervous to meet my parents.

But it turned out great and I have a feeling tonight will turn out great, too.

Before we walk inside, we spend a few minutes making out. I wonder if his mom is watching us from the window, like my parents would do. It’s a little mortifying to kiss in front of the principal, but hey, it’s not like she’ll kick us out.

Damian brings my hand to his lips and kisses my fingers. “Ready to go in?”

“Ready.”

The guard nods and tips his hat as Damian leads me inside. Things are so different now. Guards used to watch us carefully, and now they’re totally fine with us coming and going. That’s all because his mom has made some changes. We’re still not allowed to be alone in his room, though, and I’m not allowed to be here after hours.

As soon as we walk in, I’m hit with a familiar smell that I didn’t expect to smell in Beatrice Harrington’s apartment.

“Is that…pizza?” I ask Damian.

He sniffs. “Smells like it.”

We walk to the dining room and sure enough, there are three pizza boxes on the table. Principal Harrington is wearing an apron over a T-shirt and jeans. This is the first time I’m seeing her dressed in casual clothes.

Damian’s eyes are wide as he looks at her. “Who is that woman and what has she done with my mother?” he whispers, and I giggle.

“Come in, kids,” his mom says. “I hope pizza is okay? You like pizza, right?”

We glance at each other another time before joining her in the room.

“Mom, what’s going on?” Damian asks as he points at the pizza.

She laughs lightly. “I thought we’d be casual tonight. More relaxed.”

He gives me a look like he doesn’t know what’s gotten into her. But I think I get it. For most of her life, she had to act a certain way. It was expected of her. Now she’s free to let loose for a change. When I tell that to my boyfriend, he nods in understanding.

Principal Harrington tells us to sit down. She places a salad bowl on the table and we dig in. This pizza isn’t from Lottie’s because it tastes way too expensive. But I’m not complaining because it’s so yum.

The salad is delicious as well and she seems to appreciate it when I compliment her. I don’t hold a grudge against her because of the way she treated me. I understand where she was coming from—a place of love, not hate. She just went about it the wrong way.

I feel bad for all the pain she’s been through, but I’m glad she’s working on repairing her relationship with Damian. I know she can be the mom he needs.

We talk about different topics. I’m surprised and glad to learn she’s acting totally normal and casual, not like our principal. I’m seeing a side to her I’ve never seen before. Damian seems surprised and happy, too. He slides his hand in mine, giving it a squeeze.

“Damian, did you tell your mom the good news?” I ask him.

His eyebrows furrow. “Good news?”

“About the art contest.”

“Oh, no. I didn’t have a chance.”

Principal Harrington takes a bite of her pizza. “Art contest?”

Damian tells her about it and that he’s entering. Her eyes shine with pride. “Your dad used to draw as well,” she tells him.

“He did? I never knew that.”