Page 70 of My So-Called Perfect Life

Evan takes my hand somewhat reluctantly as if he’s not sure if he should touch me. “I’ve heard a lot about you,” he says dropping my hand. “Just remember this is an event for a school and children.”

What an odd thing to say. It catches me off guard and I’m not sure how to respond. Thankfully his sister saves the day.

Cara, in the complete opposite manner of her brother, shakes my hand and thanks me. “Ignore him. It’s so nice of you to come and support the girls’ school.”

“It’s no bother at all,” I tell her still not fully understanding what’s going on with Evan. “I’m a teacher on the other side of the city. I was more than happy to come and support the cause. Plus, I have every intention of showing off my blackjack skills since this one over here thinks I’m bluffing.”

Ryan laughs and shakes his head. “I never said that. I said I wanted to see you in action with my own eyes.”

“Then, you show him,” Cara says, smirking at Ryan. “I’d love nothing more than to see someone humble Ryan.”

Ryan and Cara seem to have a nice relationship. Evan, on the other hand, seems to be looking me up and down as if he thinks I brought a bomb to the event. “You’re ateacher?” The tone of his voice is a mixture of horror and surprise.

“Yes,” I nod.

Cara redirects my attention from her brother’s less than welcoming appraisal back to her. “What grade do you teach?”

“Kindergarten,” I answer.

Evan snickers and mumbles under his breath. “Figures.”

“Knock it off,” Ryan chides him.

“What?” Evan shrugs. “It’s fitting.”

“What’s fitting?” I ask, not following their conversation.

Ryan gives him a stern look, but Evan gets a little glint in his eye. “You and Kindergarten. Only a crazy person would want to spend ten months a year surrounded by five-year-olds and you’re certifiably insane, so it fits.”

“That’s it,” Ryan says grabbing Evan’s arm and pulling him a few steps back. “I’d like a word with you.”

A server comes back with a tray of champagne, cutting us off from Ryan and Evan.

“You must have a lot of patience,” Cara says, trying to pull me back to the conversation. “Kindergarten is a rough year, no?”

“You didn’t tell me you were bringing her,”

“What difference does it make?”

“When are you going to screw this chick out of your system? It’s been like two months.”

“You’re a real ass you know that?”

I grab a flute from the server as I strain to hear more of what Ryan is saying to Evan. “Yes, and no. The first month is rough. The acclimation can be hard for some kids, but after they get used to school and our routine, it really becomes so much fun.”

“This is for the girls’ school, she better not bring her special brand of crazy to the party tonight and make a scene.”

“Jesus, Evan, grow up. Stop being a dick and don’t make Danielle feel uncomfortable.”

Cara starts speaking and it drowns out the rest of Ryan and Evan’s conversation. “I had one daughter who loved the idea of starting school and another who hated it. It was hard for my older one when she went. She’s eight. But my six-year-old, she couldn’t wait to go to school like her big sister. With the divorce and everything that has happened over the last few months, I’m looking forward to getting them back into school and some structure again.”

Cara seems darling. We chat for a few minutes, mostly about her daughters, Emma and Kiley, but my attention is still partially drawn to the private conversation between Evan and Ryan. Evan walks off as Ryan moves back to me and Cara.

“He doesn’t seem to like me being here,” I say to Ryan. “I can leave if it’s going to make things awkward.”

Ryan adamantly shakes his head. “Ignore him. He’s just being an ass.”

I don’t like the idea of Ryan and his best friend bickering over me. “Ryan, I don’t want to cause a problem for you guys. I can leave. It’s no big deal.”