Chapter One
I should have kicked him out last night. Told him to go home and that he couldn’t stay. But who was I kidding? I could never say no to that man. I leaned against the doorframe and watched him as he stepped out of my shower, water dripping down that firm chest my fingers ached to touch.
“You could have joined me, you know,” he said, wrapping the towel around his waist and coming to stand in front of me.
“And you know we’d never get out, and then I’d be late for work.” I leaned into him, standing on the tips of my toes to kiss him. I couldn’t understand how he still gave me butterflies, made my heart stutter in my chest and my palms sweat. I didn’t know I could feel like that with another person.
My last boyfriend was boring, safe, and predictable. He was an accountant and enjoyed watching documentaries way too much. I’d stayed with him for over a year because he didn’t manipulate me or cause me any pain, like my previous boyfriend had—the man I believed was the love of my life. But this man in front of me was different than any other. He was fun and outgoing and made me feel things I didn’t know were possible. Granted, we didn’t talk a lot, and spent most of our time in my bed, yet he still made me giddy.
“I’d be okay with that.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me hard, making me want to drag him back to bed and make use of the silk scarf I’d bought the day I met him.
I sighed into his mouth as his fingers danced along my spine. I gave in, dragging him back to my rumpled bed.
He grinned. “Knew you’d see sense.”
***
I really was going to be late now, but it was totally worth it. Once my house was empty and I was alone, I hurried to get ready. It was my first day at my new job, and to say I was nervous would be an understatement. I was heading back to my hometown after not stepping foot in the place for years. But it was time to face my fears—and the people I’d hurt during my time there.
I walked into the office with trepidation and was greeted by John Sawyer. He was an old friend of my father’s and offered me the job when he’d heard I was looking for work. It couldn’t have come at a better time. We chatted for a few minutes about what he expected of me, and then he showed me around the school. It wasn’t like I didn’t know my way around. I’d spent five years in the place, but I humoured him and let him give me the tour. We finally arrived at the class I was taking over in a week’s time.
“Now, Ms. Mitchell is one of our best teachers, and we’re sad to see her leave so soon,” he said. My ears pricked up at the name of the teacher. I wondered whether it could be her. How many other Mitchells were around? But I figured she’d have been married and would be a Jones by now. “She’s very thorough and well organised and will have you up to speed in no time.” He opened the door and politely interrupted the class to introduce me.
I walked in behind him, my stomach churning from nerves, and my heart stopped. It was her. Principal Sawyer introduced me then left me to face Bailey alone.
She looked great. Pregnancy suited her, but the look she gave me made me realise she’d still not forgiven me for the way I treated her years ago. I’d grown up a lot since then, and it was all because of Chace. Schooling my expression into something neutral, I turned and smiled at the class, noticing the cosy couple in the back corner.
“Can I see you outside?” Bailey asked quietly. Smoothing her hands over her protruding stomach, she nodded toward the door.
I turned and walked back out into the hall. Bailey spoke to the class while I waited and gave them some work do for a minute. I watched through the door as the students got themselves organised, except for the young couple in the back corner. They were huddled together, his head pressed into her shoulder as they whispered quietly. The girl’s eyes met mine and widened briefly. I thought I saw a flash of recognition in them but didn’t know why. I’d never seen her before. She spoke urgently to her boyfriend. He groaned in frustration and straightened, pulling the ball cap off his head and running his fingers through his long golden hair. He looked over his shoulder at me and smirked.
Oh, my god.
Bennett.
I stared at him, shock holding me still as he refused to break eye contact until Bailey walked out the door.
“Bennett, Audrey, get moving,” she said, closing the door behind her.
She faced me, her arms crossed over the top of her belly, and raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing here, Christina?”
“I’m your replacement,” I said unable to help the sarcasm in my voice, my eyes still on Bennett’s through the window. “Thought Principal Sawyer made that obvious.”
Bailey frowned. “How long have you been back?”
“A few months. I live in Storm Cove, not here,” I said, still distracted by Bennett. He was talking to the girl, his hand squeezing hers. I swallowed the lump in my throat.
I’d moved back a few months ago, but decided Blackhill wasn’t for me anymore. I wanted to stay away from the drama and the smallminded town I grew up in. Unfortunately, the plans I had after university fell through, and I had no choice but to come back.
“What do you want?”
“To work. Same as everyone else.” I inspected my nails, already bored with the conversation and wanting to look at anything but the girl who was leaning against Bennett like her life depended on it.
I understood Bailey’s hesitance toward me. I had treated her like crap in our last year of school, and even worse throughout university, but if I was being honest, I had been blinded by Chace. Once I realised the type of person he was, the way he manipulated people into thinking and believing whatever he wanted them to, I tried to distance myself from him and everyone in his path as much as possible. I’d transferred out of uni after about a year and moved to a different school, and I worked hard to be a better person. I hadn’t seen Bailey or spoken to her for a couple of years, if not more.
“I don’t want any trouble, Christina. I’m finally happy and settled with Ryder. Life is great. I don’t want you walking back into my life and destroying it again.”
“I’m not here for that. I just want to teach.” I held my hands up defensively and thought about apologising but knew she wouldn’t accept it. It was far too late. There was too much water under the bridge.
“Right.”
“I’m not here for you, Bailey. My life doesn’t revolve around making you miserable.”
Bailey let out a disbelieving laugh.
“Not anymore. I’m here because there was work.”
“I hope you’re right.” She looked back over her shoulder into the classroom. Bennett and the girl—Audrey…was she his girlfriend?—were still staring at us. “These are good kids, Christina. They deserve the best. I don’t want you coming in and tainting their lives either.”
It might have been too late, but I couldn’t tell her that. I couldn’t tell her I’d had a fling with someone, and if anyone found out, it would end my career and destroy both our lives. She already thought I was the worst person alive, and maybe she was right.
“Look, a lot has happened. We’ve grown up, moved on, and made our own lives. I have no interest in yours, or the students’. I’m here to teach, and that’s it,” I said.
“Okay, well, I guess you better come in, and I’ll get you all caught up.” She pushed open the door and gestured for me to head back into the classroom full of students, including the one I’d had a fling with.