Page 3 of Thirteen Years
I glanced at the nameplate on the desk, making a mental note to remember her name, as Monica smiled at us reassuringly.
“Honey, the first day of school here is literally just handing out syllabuses,” she said with a wave of her hand, “It looks like Natasha’s first class is home room anyway!”
She handed Nat the slip for her teacher and checked that she remembered where the classroom was. As my daughter hugged me and whispered her love, I assured her I returned the sentiment and would be right outside at three p.m. Then I watched my entire world disappear down the hallway and sent up a prayer that this was finally the place that we could stay.
“Well, thank you for being so understanding,” I said when Nat had turned the corner. I began backing up, giving a small wave to Monica.
“Have a nice day, Mrs. Wareman!”
“Miss!” I corrected, backing into what felt like a warm brick wall, causing me to lose my balance.
Suddenly, large hands wrapped around my upper arms to steady me as I tensed up at a man’s touch. Since I'd left Clark, I hadn’t even allowed myself to think about dating ever again, let alone let a man touch me.
“I’m so sorry,” I said automatically, turning and backing up rapidly, in the other direction, hitting Monica’s desk, this time to remove myself from the stranger’s grasp. I heard her pens and pencils clatter behind me. God, I was such a klutz.
Gray, almost silver, eyes narrowed briefly at my reaction as he seemed to take in my appearance, also allowing me to get a look at the giant I’d backed into.
Fuck, Becks. You had to oversleep and look like this today.
Wait. What the hell was that foreign thought? Since when did I care how I looked around a man? Well, maybe when the man in question looked like six and a half feet of yumminess in a police uniform, you start to remember to care.
He’s a freaking cop.
I tensed up automatically. Had I been overeager in my hopes for this place and being free? Had Clark found me and somehow found out about Natasha? Was he going to sue for custody? Was I being served?
The man in question smiled, “It’s okay. I was just coming in to see who was parked in the no-parking zone out in front of the school.”
Shit and thank God, but also, FUCK.
“That would be me, Sir. I am so sorry. We woke up late and we just moved here…” I trailed off.
That was more information than I typically gave anyone. What the hell was wrong with me today?
“Well, first of all, my name is Lucas Marshall and when people say 'Sir’ I immediately look around for my father,” he joked, smiling. “It’s not a problem if you can move the vehicle now.”
“Of course!” Jesus. Was I going to get a ticket? I didn’t have the extra money for that right now!
As if sensing my worry, he added, “I’ll let you off with a warning since you’re new in town, Mrs…?”
“Miss!” Monica interjected animatedly from behind me.
I turned and looked at her quickly, shocked, and the woman had the audacity to wink at me. Of course the school secretary liked to try to play matchmaker.
“Lucas here works for the local police department and checks in as the school’s resource officer regularly,” she added, “He’s just an old bachelor that refuses to settle down with anyone around here that we know,” she finished as she looked me up and down with a renewed interest.
Oh for the love of God.
“Thanks for that, Monica,” said the man’s deep voice behind me as she snickered, ducking behind her computer monitor. He narrowed his eyes at the monitor where she was hiding before turning back to me with a smile.
“Okay.” I said, caught in his gaze and warm smile, “I’ll move the vehicle right away!”
I clutched my crossbody against me as I slipped past Lucas Marshall without touching him again. I noticed he smelled like cedar, smoke, and sin, when I finally made it out the door.
Stop it, Becks, now is not the time for your femininity to wake up and take note of the opposite sex.
Too much human interaction, and too little caffeine clearly was not an ideal combination.
“Miss,” Lucas’ voice followed me outside. I stopped and slowly turned around to look at him as he raised an eyebrow questioningly. I sighed. Why would he want my name if he said he wouldn't give me a ticket?
