Page 73 of Pretend You Love Me

“Percy Jackson.”

“Oh, my god, those are so good,” Ginger says. They start a deep dive into characters and the different books. I’m just staring at her like she's an alien who’s invaded this town, and then it hits me. I figured something out. She’s not going to be happy about this.

As soon as she walks away from their table, I step toward her and grab her wrist. “Ginger, time to take a break.”

“Now?” she says looking around.

“Now,” I say, pulling her into the hallway.

“Kip, I'm working here.” She stumbles toward my office.

“Hey Sadie, Ginger’s taking fifteen. Cover her tables.”

“Whatever you say, boss,” Sadie calls.

I pull her into the office and slam the door behind her. Her eyes are wide. I step toward her, and she takes a little step back.

“I figured something out about you.”

She swallows and doesn’t answer. I take another step forward, and she takes another step back.

“What is it?” she asks. She looks nervous.

I take one more step. When she mirrors me, her back hits the wall. I rest my hand over her head and lean forward, dipping my head down, so I can whisper in her ear.

“You’re a teacher.”

Her eyes shoot up to mine, and then she quickly looks away.

“What? Why would you say that?” she stammers.

“One - you are a fucking child charmer. Those kids immediately fell in love with you.”

“Well, that doesn’t prove anything,” she responds.

“Two - no adult knows that much about children’s books.”

“A lot of adults like children’s books.”

I roll my eyes. “Three - you don’t curse.”

She flushes. “I do.”

“The bedroom doesn’t count.”

Her face reddens.

“Four...” I pull her notepad from the front of her apron and hold it up. “Your handwriting.”

She furrows her brow. “What about it?’

“It’s perfect. It looks like my fourth grade teacher’s Mrs. Hammond. No one writes like this other than teachers.”

Her eyes dart to the paper and back to me. “That’s not true.”

I toss the notepad behind me. “Isn't it?”

She’s breathing hard. So am I.