Page 24 of He Loves Me Not

"You think they'll judge you?" I ask, examining her face.

"I think parents aren't always rational when it comes to their kids, and I don't want that to impact your reputation with your fanbase, Dawson," she says, worry in her gaze. "Those kids idolize you. I don't want to be the reason they stop."

"Hell no," I growl immediately. "You aren't giving up a goddamn thing because of me, Ava. I'll sign as many autographs, give as many speeches, and do as much free publicity for your school as I have to do to keep them happy, but you aren't leaving a job you love to be with me."

Hell will freeze over before I allow that to happen. I've spent the last year keeping my distance to ensure she never felt like she had to sacrifice anything for me. I won't allow her to sacrifice a single thing now.

"What if they kick me out?" she asks.

"Then I'll spend the rest of my fucking career trashing them to everyone who will listen," I vow, meaning it. No one gets to take anything from her, not one goddamn thing, not unless they want to deal with me. And I'll be the biggest bastard they'veever crossed. When it comes to her, I'm not going to play. I will protect her with everything I have.

"Dawson," she says in that disapproving tone, but when her lips twitch, I know she's as amused as she is worried. "You can't just bully everyone into accepting us."

"Yeah?" I bite her bottom lip. "Watch me, baby. You're mine. I'll do whatever I have to do to protect you."

Her expression softens, the lines of worry vanishing. "You're going to be a bear, aren't you?"

"When it comes to you? Absolutely," I smirk at her. "I always have been."

"You don't say," she says, her eyes wide and dramatic. "I thought hot and cranky was just your natural state."

I dig my fingers into her sides, making her squeal with laughter.

Chapter Ten

Ava

Getting to love Dawson openly is better than I ever imagined it could be, at least until my name is announced over the intercom and all thirty of my students start teasing me simultaneously.

"Oh, Miss Grant is in trouble!"

"Dang, Miss Grant. It's not even nine yet. What'd you do?"

"RIP, Miss Grant," one boy in the back, with plenty of experience in the principal's office, says mournfully.

I give them all a sharp look, earning fits of laughter from most of them. I swear, nothing intimidates them. "If you don't have your math worksheet done before I get back, I'm going to spoil the end ofStranger Thingsfor all of you when I get back."

"That's cold, Miss Grant!" my favorite student cries.

"Then behave," I warn them, sailing out the door into the hallway with my heart in my throat. They have no idea why I'm being called into the office, but I do. Dawson released a statement announcing our engagement last night. I'm guessing Jeannie, our principal, is already fielding calls from concerned parents.

My heels click on the floor as I make my way to the office. Olivia, the front office assistant, waves me straight into Jeannie's office, barely even glancing up from the stack of files on her desk.

I tap on Jeannie's door before poking my head in.

"Ava, come in," she says, waving me inside.

I step in, closing the door behind me. My hands are shaking, so I lace them together, clutching my fingers. "Um, if this is about Dawson's announcement…"

"It is."

Fuck my life.

"I know you probably have reservations, but—"

"What are the chances you can convince him to give a talk to these heathens?" she asks, cutting me off.

I blink at her, caught off guard. "What?"