Page 26 of Her Forbidden Teacher

“Long blond hair, sweet smile, pretty blue eyes.” I sigh and close my eyes. “She’s more than just her looks, though. Thoughtful, gentle, caring. She actually hangs on my every word. Makes me feel valued instead of a loser like Mary Ellen always did.”

Penny jumps up and down giggling. “I love her already!”

This makes my chest squeeze with emotion. She hated my ex-wife from the get-go but put on a fake smile for my sake. Sure, she doesn’t know Addison, but the fact she already loves her makes me happy.

“What’s her name?” Penny demands. “Ooh, you should bring her over for dinner!”

My stomach twists at that thought. “Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why the hell not?”

Because she’s young. Very young. Oh, and she’s my student.

“It’s still new,” I lie.

It’s not anything because it can’t be. We’re playing a very dangerous game, and truth be told, it can’t go any further.

“Bull crap. Bring her over.”

Before I can argue, I’m saved by one of the kids crying. It involves parental intervention and Uncle Theo treating everyone to ice cream after.

When I finally make it home later, I shoot Addison a text.

Me: Sorry. Just got back from my sister’s. It’s late. See you Monday?

Good Girl: Ouch.

I feel like a total asshole.

Me: Fuck. This is just hard. Reality is eye-opening, you know?

Good Girl: I get it.

Me: Do you? I really, really don’t want to hurt you.

Good Girl: I think it’s too late for that, Theo.

She sends me the saddest fucking picture I’ve ever seen. It’s her, sweet, with a face free of makeup, with red, teary eyes.

Fucking hell.

I don’t waste another second and call her.

She’s been hurt too many times. I can’t be just another person on that very long list.

“Hey, beautiful.”

She sniffles. “Hey.”

I’m so fucked. I can’t quit this girl. I don’t know that I can. I certainly don’t want to.

Chapter 9

Addison

My head is in the clouds.

I didn’t get to see Theo again, because he’s keeping his distance, but we talked the rest of the weekend. It’s nice getting to know him. When he told me he hasn’t always been a teacher, but used to be an accountant, I found that ridiculously entertaining. We both laughed when I called him a nerd.