Page 6 of Secret Love (The Single Dad Playbook #2)

CHAPTER SIX

brEAKFAST FOR DINNER = brINNER

TRU

Well, this form of an apology is one I will never turn down.

After I’m home from dance class, I open the box of cinnamon rolls from Henley and inhale the sugary goodness. When I sink my mouth around the buttery, cinnamon deliciousness, I close my eyes and can’t even believe how good it tastes. No one has ever given me cinnamon rolls before and I appreciate that he remembered me buying them the day we met.

It’s too soon to let my guard down, but I sure don’t mind the way he’s going about trying to make things right.

Jacklyn raved about Henley after he left, and she also mentioned that he’s divorced. I couldn’t tell if she was saying it for my benefit or if she’s crushing on him herself, honestly, but knowing he’s single makes me feel a lot better about the flirtation between us that first time we met. I’m not interested in him now…but is he raising three daughters alone? What’s the story there?

When I get out of the shower later, I have another cinnamon roll for dinner. The things are massive, so it will be all I’m eating tonight, but I savor every bite. I watch a movie and wonder if I should do more to show my appreciation, but I did thank him already, so I don’t know that I have to make any more of an effort.

It wouldn’t be that hard to find him around here.

Nope. I’m not going out of my way. If I’m supposed to see him, I will. I’ve already run into him three times without trying, and God knows I need to keep my distance from a man like him. His dreaminess could find a way to soften my heart a little too easily.

Sunday afternoon, I get a call from Mr. Hanson, the principal at school, asking if I can come in early Monday morning, and if I’m free to work there all week. I’m hopeful that they’re going to ask me to stay, but I try not to get too far ahead of myself.

When I walk into the front office on Monday morning, Mr. Hanson is chatting with Mrs. Davenport and he smiles and says hello. He’s an attractive man of an indeterminate age, possibly because every time I’ve seen him, he’s wearing a cardigan.

I make an effort to not be a Petty Patty and smile too smugly at Mrs. Davenport over the fact that I was called back in to work here.

But it’s hard.

“Right on time,” Mr. Hanson says. “Come on back.”

He ushers me into his office and holds his hand out for me to have a seat.

“I’ve heard great things about you from the kids,” he says. “It sounds like you were a hit with the English students.”

“Well, that’s great to hear. Thank you.”

“Thank you . I’ll cut to the chase. I would like you to consider taking this job on a more permanent basis. Would you be interested in that?”

There’s no hiding the huge smile that takes over my face. “Yes, I was hoping for a full-time job, and I’m loving teaching English here so far.”

“Excellent.”

He goes over a few details about the job and the school, and he mentions my salary. It’s nothing spectacular, but I’m so happy to have a full-time job in Silver Hills. This, combined with the extra money from the dance studio, and I should be able to get by.

We discuss how I will get up to speed on everything since Mrs. Carboni will not be coming back. I’ll have my hands full getting caught up, but I could not be happier about this job. Before we’re done, I mention my work with Dr. Mathison in college and my thoughts on Cassidy, just to be sure I’m not stepping on any toes if I pursue a few tests with her.

“This is desperately needed here,” he says. “We’re short-staffed, and if you’re willing to put in the extra time, I welcome it. I’d appreciate if you keep me in the loop.”

I nod, my excitement building. “I will.”

Once I’ve signed more paperwork, it’s official.

“We’ll make an announcement over the next week that you’re our new English teacher, but the job is yours now. Welcome aboard.” Mr. Hanson stretches out his hand and I shake it.

I get to the classroom, my classroom, and look around the room with new eyes. Sometime over the weekend, Mrs. Carboni must have come to collect her personal belongings because there are things missing from the walls and desk. I make note of what we might need and what could make the room cuter, and the list grows throughout the day.

Between classes, I look at the students’ projects again and grade a few that were still left hanging. When I get to Cassidy Ward's paper and remember her project still hasn’t been graded, I think about the interaction with Cassidy and then Henley.

Something still doesn’t sit well with me about the whole thing.

There’s a section from the book Wonder that I love and the kids read it aloud before we discuss it. During Cassidy’s class, I ask her to start the passage. After she read for me one-on-one, I’m hoping she'll be more comfortable reading in front of the class, but instead, she freezes and stares at me in horror. Her cheeks get two bright red splotches on either side and her eyes fill with tears. Brandon, who is often talking during class to Luke, the guy next to him, says something that I don't hear, and Cassidy’s cheeks bloom even redder.

“It's okay, Cassidy, take your time.”

She starts reading and stutters through the first sentence, stopping when she hears laughter behind her. I look around at the classroom and frown.

“Don't be rude, please. Everyone listen carefully. We’ll be discussing this section afterward, and when it's your turn, you wouldn't appreciate it if someone was laughing and being a distraction in the background. We treat each other with respect, got it? Go ahead, Cassidy.”

She gets through the next few lines, but it's painful to hear and I regret ever asking her to read. I interrupt when she pauses before starting the next paragraph and say, “Elise, can you continue where Cassidy left off?”

I make sure to only have everyone else read one paragraph as well, so it doesn’t seem like I stopped Cassidy due to her poor reading. But it bothers me long after we’ve moved on, and before the bell rings, I ask Cassidy to come see me before class is over. She walks up to my desk reluctantly and I try to give her a reassuring smile.

“Do you have a few minutes to talk after class?” I ask.

“Um, sure,” she says.

Once everyone has left the class and it's just Cassidy and me, I try to put her at ease.

“I just wanted to ask a couple questions, if that's okay.”

She nods and stands there waiting.

“I was looking over your project again, and I wanted to let you know that you did an excellent job…which your grade will reflect.” I smile and she returns it with a wobbly one. “You seem really uncomfortable with reading in the class. Can I ask why?”

“I’m just not a very good reader.” She looks down at my desk. “It makes me nervous to read in front of everyone.”

“I can understand that. Is that all it is?” I ask and her mouth parts, but she doesn't say anything for a second, and her cheeks burn brighter.

I wait, but when she still doesn’t say anything, I lean forward. “I didn’t hear what Brandon said, but I want you to know, I’ll be speaking with him also. I just wanted to make sure you were okay first.”

“Oh. Thank you,” she finally says. “I’m okay.”

“When you read for me the other day, it came easier, but it still seemed like you were hesitant at times.”

She looks down again and her voice comes out softer when she speaks. “I feel like it’s so easy for everyone else. For me, it's just…hard.”

“How so?”

She makes a face. “I don’t know. Even my six-year-old sister reads better than I do.”

“Do you read often at home?”

“No. I’ve never liked to read, so I hardly ever do.” She crinkles her nose. “Sorry. I can tell that you love it and I wish I did.” Her shoulder lifts with a slight shrug.

I grin at her. “I do love to read, but that doesn’t mean you have to. I’m curious though—when you say it’s hard , can you tell me why that is?”

“It’s…I don’t know how to explain it. When I have to read, it’s like I can’t focus on the words and they, um, I don’t know…they sort of jump around...” She fidgets with her notebook and looks toward the door. “That probably sounds crazy. I’ve never said that out loud.” She laughs softly, but her eyes meet mine and I can see the vulnerability there.

“That doesn’t sound crazy at all, Cassidy. Thank you for sharing that with me. I’d like to see what we can do to make reading more fun for you. How does that sound?”

“I’d like that.” She nods.

“I’ll reach out to your parents to talk about a few things…a few ideas I have about reading, and then we’ll go from there. Sound good?”

“Yes.” She nods again and smiles shyly.

I tap my desk and stand up. “Okay, I’ll let you get to lunch. I heard there’s spaghetti today. Should I pass or go for it?”

“Go for it. It’s better than the chicken nuggets.” Her nose turns up and she shakes her head. “Make sure to avoid those.”

I laugh. “Thanks for the tip. I usually bring my lunch, but I didn’t have time today. Sounds like I picked the right day for it.”

She walks to the door and lifts her hand in a small wave before she leaves.

I let out a long exhale when I’m alone. The last thing I want to do is reach out to Henley Ward and his ex-wife, but my concern for Cassidy overrides everything else. I get their numbers from Mrs. Davenport and leave messages on both of their voicemails, asking if they could meet today after school or any other afternoon this week. During my next break, I listen to their messages confirming that they can meet today.

As a substitute teacher, I had very little parent interaction, so I’m apprehensive about what their reaction will be when I tell them I want Cassidy assessed for dyslexia. Since I’m new here, I wouldn’t blame them for not wanting to hear what I have to say, but the hope in Cassidy’s eyes at the offer of help is motivation enough.