Page 60 of Inside Out
“Oh,” I said sheepishly. “Sorry.”
Priscilla’s annoyance faded when she turned to me holding my speech in her tiny hands. “You’re a mess today. Normally you only trip all over yourself when Julius is around, but today…” Her words trailed away. “Get ahold of yourself, Rome. The kids are counting on you.”
I nodded. “That’s why I was trying to make copies of my speech. I just needed to do something to keep busy and be prepared.”
“Youareprepared.” I watched in horror as she ripped my prepared speech in half then in fourths.
“Why’d you do that?”
“You don’t need fancy words on a piece of paper, Rome. You need to speak from your heart.” She dumped the pieces of paper in the trash bin beside the copier.
“But—”
“No buts about it. Speak with conviction and share your story. Talk about how much this play would’ve meant to you as a kid.”
She was right. There wasn’t a single hateful thing Roy Halifax could say I hadn’t heard before, nor a situation he could present I hadn’t already overcome.
“Be yourself because no one can represent those kids and our district better than you can tonight.” She crooked her finger for me to lean down, and she kissed my cheek.
“Should I be jealous?”
I turned and found Jules standing behind us holding a cafeteria tray laden with food. His warm smile said he wasn’t the least bit concerned about the peck on the cheek Priscilla gave me. “Pizza day,” I said, sniffing the air appreciatively.
“I know you’re probably busy, but I had an extended break since the kids are going to a pep rally in the gym. I thought I’d treat you to lunch for once.”
“Your timing is perfect, Julius,” Priscilla said. “I think I’ll go over and watch the pep rally. Sandra is already over there, and none of the board members are in the office right now. You guys can close the door and have some quiet time.”
I felt my cheeks turn pink. “We’re not—”
“I didn’t say you were,” Priscilla said. “I used the words quiet and time. You’re the only one whose mind went straight to the gutter.” She closed the copier then walked to her desk where she pulled her purse out of the bottom drawer. “All you men love to jump to conclusions and make assumptions. Don’t know why I even bother,” she muttered as she left.
“That can’t all be about you,” Julius said. “Howie must’ve tried to let her down easy or something.”
“That’s my guess,” I agreed, watching her through the door as she walked toward the high school. At least the rain had finally let up. I faced Julius once more and said, “I’m so glad to see you.”
“Rough morning?” he asked, following me into the office.
Regardless of what Priscilla said, I left my door open and took a seat at the table in the corner of my office. “I really would love to close us in here together and maybe steal a kiss, but it’s not worth the risk. I don’t care who knows we’re dating, but I will not touch you intimately on school grounds.”
“We could always pretend later. You can call me down to your office.” Jules waggled his brows suggestively.
“Yeah, that roleplaying thing didn’t work out so well last night.”
“Last night was perfect,” Julius said in a low, husky voice. “As was the night before that and the night before that… You see where I’m going with this.”
“I do.”
“You’re going to be amazing at the meeting tonight. I heard what Miss Priscilla said and she’s right. I didn’t interrupt the cute little pep talk until she went to make moves on my guy.”
“I’m all yours, Jules.”
He smiled because he liked hearing it.