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CHAPTER FOUR

DAYNA

I woke up earlier than usual this morning to head to work despite my late night drinking with Cara.

All I want to do is go back to sleep. I’ve got a mountain of emails that need my attention.

Meetings are filling up my work calendar.

The bustle of kids back on campus is in full motion. It’s the busiest time of the year.

My office door has a clear view of Mrs. Emily’s desk and anyone who enters through the front office door. I’ve caught myself staring at that door longer than I should have waiting for Luke to appear.

I was looking over the schedule for next week when I heard his voice talking to Mrs. Emily.

I can feel my face warm up and as I keep my eyes down on the paper.

I can’t help myself and steal a glance at him silently praying he isn’t looking my way.

Sadie is standing next to her dad in a pink shirt with black shorts.

Her wavy hair is down today. To the right of her Luke is dressed in a fitted navy blue button-up shirt with tan pants secured with a brown belt.

He is also wearing black-rimmed eyeglasses.

That is something new that teenage Luke didn’t have.

Does he know how attractive he is? He has always been handsome and those glasses just do something to me.

My stomach flips and I clench my knees together.

I need a sip of water and to get a hold of myself .

I spin my chair around and grab my water tumbler. I turn back and Luke and Sadie are gone. School is about to start and he’ll be in his classroom four rows back. That will give me a few hours of not seeing him and enough time to pull myself together.

That didn’t last long. Two hours later, I got a call from Mrs. Emily.

She said Luke’s key card isn’t giving him access to the building.

He was on recess duty and it wouldn’t work.

Mrs. McKenna is in a meeting with Dean. Reaching for my key card and badge I walk towards the hallway that leads to the outdoor playground.

As I approach the door, I see him through the large window as he is talking to some of the students.

I open the door and the kids start groaning.

Holding the door open behind me and I playfully say, “Yeah I know— it must have been fun having a few extra minutes outside.” The students walk in and head to their respective classrooms. Luke is the last one through the door as he slides in sideways between me and the wall.

We lightly brush against each other. I silently gasped at his gorgeous familiar scent, Citrus and Pine.

He walks further in the hallway so we’re not crowding each other.

“Thank you for rescuing me, my key card wasn’t working yesterday either.

I called the front desk and Mrs. Emily said she was sending Mrs. Mckenna.

” I noticed his left hand is in his front pocket, so I can’t see if he is wearing a wedding ring or not.

I close the door behind us and match his steps as he begins to walk.

“Morgan is in a meeting with Dean. They have a weekly meeting to go over some of the students’ assessments.

” I quietly say. He stops for a moment and reaches for my arm before he hesitates and drops it back to his side.

“I didn’t know you worked here. I needed a job, and I hopelessly applied here.

I thought it would be a long shot since school was starting in a week.

” He says almost in a regretful voice. I take a small step to him and he looks down and studies my left hand and looks puzzled.

I know exactly what he is doing because I have been trying to do the same thing.

“Dean and I got divorced a few months ago and I haven’t changed my last name back to Evans yet.

I thought it would be easier to leave it since all the kids here know me as Ms. Carter.

” I blurted out. He stands there slightly embarrassed.

I fumble with my key card and badge, as we began the walk towards his classroom.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say it like that, it’s just— I saw your face yesterday when Dean walked in.

When your daughter said my name, I knew you put two and two together.

” I said quickly before he had to get back to his class.

“And hey— you don’t need to worry. I am really happy you’re here.

” He smiles at me softly holding his classroom door open.

“I’m glad you feel that way.” He said before walking into his classroom.

God, even his class smells like him. This room just became my favorite spot at this school.

The day seemed to be dragging, I’ve been answering emails all morning since coming back from Luke’s classroom.

Mrs. Emily takes a quick glance at me and winks.

I nod at her and smile back, just as I hear her voice she says “Good Afternoon Mr. Beckett, what can I help you with?” My heart begins to beat rapidly, as I wait for him to respond to her.

He asks if he can get a new key card made and apologizes for adding more work for her.

“Oh no sugar— this is what I love to do. Keeps me busy and keeps my mind healthy.” Mrs. Emily reassures him.

I’m trying to act busy myself when I hear footsteps coming my way. Luke knocks on the door, “May I come in?”

I motion to the empty seat in front of me. He takes a quick look around before sitting down. His eyes land on my diploma and a photo of Cara and I from our college graduation.

“I am really glad you and Cara are still best friends. I saw her this morning in the parking lot. I shouted out her name when she got out of her car and I think she winced at the sound of my voice.” I giggle at the last part because I stopped drinking well before 10 PM last night but Cara seemed to have had two more glasses after that.

“She and I had a little sleepover last night—” I lower my voice as I say the next part, “—with some wine. She might have had a few more than she could handle. I wouldn’t be too hurt by the faces she makes.

” Luke lets out the most gorgeous laugh, Mrs. Emily peeks over to the sound of his laugh.

I make eye contact with her and she does the fanning motion and I know my face is fully flushed again.

Luke stares at me with a slight grin, he taps his left hand on my desk so subtly.

I noticed he isn’t wearing a wedding ring but there’s a slight tan of where one used to be.

My mind begins to wander all too quickly as to why he isn’t married?

He says in almost a whisper, I could hardly hear him.

“Your face still gives away every thought you have on your mind.” With the words in the air, I respond with the same whisper, “I guess…you still have that effect on me, Luke.” Not knowing why I just confessed that out loud, I immediately want to take it back.

He stares at me for a moment and I’m trying to read him but he breaks eye contact with me.

“I, uh— wanted to ask you if you can make Sadie a couple more of the paper flowers. She really liked the one from yesterday and wants to make a little garden for her— for herself.” He said with hesitation in his voice.

“Of course, I would love to make her more flowers.”

“Really? You don’t know how happy she’s going to be, thank you. Well, I better get back to my class, the lunch period will be over in ten minutes. If I don’t get to see you later— I hope you have a great weekend.”

He walks out of my office before I can reply. He heads towards Mrs. Emily, who’s holding Luke’s newly printed key card.

“I appreciate you getting this to me quickly. Thank you.” He said to Mrs. Emily.

He is still the same in all ways that count.

The only thing that’s changed about him is the sadness in his once-bright blue eyes.

I find myself wanting to rediscover him.

I’ve been clinging to the version of him that used to be mine, frozen in my memories.