Within an hour, she was on her way. She had a hard time keeping her foot off the gas pedal. Excitement at the prospect of surprising Nash made her foot feel particularly heavy.

Down, girl. Getting a ticket or in a wreck is not going to help you see him faster. Besides, at the rate you’re going, he won’t even be off work by the time you get there.  

Setting up her bluetooth, she turned up her music and tapped the steering wheel in time to the beat. About halfway to her destination, her phone rang. Glancing down, she didn’t recognize the number. Hitting the button, she asked, “Hello?”

“Is-is this Piper?” A quiet voice asked.

“Yes.”

“This is Mallory, from Middleton Prep.”

“Okay.....” Why is this chica calling me? She’s Miranda’s lap dog.

“Well, I uh, I just...” Her voice trailed off.

“Is there something I can help you with?” Piper tried to keep her voice from sounding irritated. Did Miranda put her up to something?

“I just—” She took a deep breath. “Look, Miranda got ahold of Nash’s phone when he accidentally left it in the teachers’ lounge. I found her in the bathroom messing with it before she gave it back to Nash. I don’t know exactly what she did, but I don’t think it was meant to be a good thing.”

Piper was speechless. Miranda had Nash’s phone? Is she serious? Suddenly the light bulb clicked. The missing text! Racing Rhett, that woman is a witch! “As grateful as I am for the information, I don’t understand why you are telling me this.”

“I just, I... nevermind.” The phone call ended.

“Huh...” Piper wasn’t sure what to make of the phone call, but one thing was certain. She was not going to let Miranda get in between them again.

––––––––

AFTER PULLING INTO a parking space close to Nash’s car, she turned off the car and and pulled on her coat. Nash won’t be out to his car for a bit yet, maybe I can get a little shut-eye. Leaning her seat back, she closed her eyes for a few moments, but her mind was too wound up to sleep. I can’t believe how low that woman will stoop to get what she wants. Whatever happened to moral decency? Or losing with dignity? Why can’t she just let things be? Ugh. Maybe I should change her name from Lady Long Legs, to Merciless Maneater.

Her eyes popped open in aggravation. A flash of red caught her eye as she stared into space. Speak of the she-devil. What in the name of Captain Ahab is she doing? Craning her neck, she tried to see what the leggy teacher was up to.

Crouched on the ground, Miranda appeared to be fiddling with something. Opening her car door as quietly as possible, Piper snuck over to the Miranda’s car. What the-! She’s letting the air out of her own tire!

“What are you doing?”

“Ahh!” Miranda screeched and spun around. After spotting Piper, a sneer crossed her face. Standing up to her full height in a pose of intimidation, she peered down her nose at Piper. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be gone ‘til next week.”

“That really isn’t your business. And I repeat, What. Are. You. Doing?” Piper put her hands on her hips and refused to back down from the seething woman.

“That’s none of your business.” She mocked. “But, maybe your coming back early was a good thing. I can just break the news to you now.”

Piper eyed her warily, an uneasy feeling started churning in her gut.

“I’m sure it won’t be hard for you to believe. I mean, after all, we all knew that Nash was just playing around when he was spending time with you. But Nash and I have grown quite close while you were away, and it’s becoming quite serious.” Her voice dropped in insinuation. “Don’t let your feelings hurt too badly though. I mean, no one in the school can compare with myself. I was bound to catch his attention. You simply aren’t enough woman for someone like Nashie.” She smirked at Piper, running her eyes from her head to toe in disgust.

Piper’s insecurities about herself came rushing forward. She’s right, I’m not enough woman for Nash...NO! No. She’s just trying to get you out of the way. There is no way Nash would betray you like that. Taking a deep breath and feigning a courage and confidence she didn’t feel, she stalked towards Miranda.

A flitter of fear quickly crossed over the Kindergarten teacher’s face. It emboldened Piper. “Nashie?” She sneered. “Do you really expect me to believe that story? I know that man better than anyone. And I know how he feels about stuck-up redheads who won’t mind their own business. Taking his phone, deleting texts—”

Miranda’s mouth dropped in shock before she caught herself. “I don’t know what—”

“Oh I know all about what you’ve been up to, you long-legged viper,” Piper spat.

Miranda’s eyes widened and she stepped back from Piper’s advances.

“Your little plan to break us up didn’t work. Which is why I’m here. Because I couldn’t wait any longer to see that man I’m in love with. And who loves me back.”

The redhead’s eyebrows slashed down in anger at the pronouncement.

“And just what were you planning to do out here, hmmm? Letting air out of your own tires? Feigning the damsel in distress?” Miranda’s face became an unbecoming shade of puce, letting Piper know she had hit the nail on the head. “Why would you need to do that if things were so serious?” She used her fingers to imitate quotations over Miranda’s description.

“You- you- you are nothing!” Miranda screamed, trying desperately to retake control of the situation. “You’re a tiny, insignificant gnat! No man would ever truly want what you have to offer. No figure, no beauty, nothing. You don’t deserve him.”

Piper swallowed back tears. How the woman knew every insecurity she had ever had, she didn’t know. But it didn’t matter. She could tell Miranda was grasping at straws and, for the first time ever, Piper felt sorry for her. This woman based everything on physical beauty. Her worth in this world depended on how she looked. What a dreary existence.

“I feel sorry for you,” Piper began.

“Sorry for me?” Miranda sputtered. “How dare—”

“Looks fade, Miranda. Yes, you are beautiful. Yes, I know I’m not as pretty as you. But I have something you don’t. I have a heart. Someday, your beauty will fade. It’s inevitable. There is absolutely nothing you can do that will prevent your body from aging. Wrinkles, sunspots, gray hairs. Try as you might, you can’t avoid it. But you know what does last? Love. So one day, when you’re a dried, wrinkled-up prune, you’ll have nothing left. Because you don’t have anything on the inside. I may age just the same as you, but I’ll still have love. I’ll still have happiness. And I’ll still have Nash.”

Clapping, hooting and hollering, and general noise burst into the air in the parking lot. Both women whipped their heads around toward the sound. Unbeknownst to the two of them, a crowd of teachers had gathered.

Miranda’s face burned red with humiliation. Turning back to Piper, she hissed, “This isn’t over.” Turning to stalk away, she stalled as she watched Nash swagger toward them.

Piper’s heart plummeted. How much did he hear? Oh Heavenly Harry, what if he heard me claim he would always be mine? And that I love him? Her heart raced and the tears she had swallowed earlier made a reappearance. Worries that she went too far raced through her being.

Ignoring Miranda, who screeched in annoyance, Nash walked straight to Piper. Stopping just a couple inches away, he looked down on her, his face set with fierce determination.

“Nash, I’m sorry, I—”

Her words were lost when he leaned down, wrapping her in his arms and lifting her to his mouth. For a moment, the audience got even louder, before Piper’s mind was lost. Lost in the heady sensations of the man she loved. Colors swirled in bright explosive fireworks in her mind’s eye as she accepted his kisses and returned them with equal fervor. After what seemed like forever, and yet still not long enough, Nash slowed the kiss and pulled away just far enough to look her in the eye.

He took a deep breath. “Piper. I love you, too.”

She couldn’t help it. The outpouring of emotions was more than she could handle. Throwing her arms around his neck, her legs still dangling mid-air, she cried into his neck. She felt Nash sit down on the front of a car and pulled her legs to the side, so she was cuddled in his lap. After a few moments, she took a shuddering breath and tried to slow the tears. Lifting her head, she noticed most of the crowd had disappeared. Only Lucy and a few others remained, chatting among themselves.

Sniffling, she looked up into Nash’s eyes. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to lose it all over your shirt.”

He reached up with his free hand and, using his thumb, wiped a stray tear, then shifted to his pointer finger and ran it down her cheek.

She closed her eyes at the contact, savoring the tingle it sent down her spine.

“Mine,” he whispered.

She opened her eyes. “Mine,” she repeated.

Just as he leaned down for another kiss, she heard Lucy yell, “Okey dokey folks! We are in the parking lot at a school. Think it’s time to break up the love fest. Keep it PG, you two.” It was followed by chuckles and guffaws.

Smiling, Nash leaned back, even as regret and frustration flashed through his eyes.

“I know,” Piper soothed. “Me too.”

Setting her on the ground, he took her hand and they walked over to the group waiting for them. Looking around, Piper realized Miranda was nowhere to be found.

“When you two started smooching like there was no tomorrow, she screamed and took off.” Lucy laughed. “The look on her face was priceless.”

Nash squeezed Piper’s hand reassuringly and with a small tug, led her to his car. Opening the passenger door, he helped her in. She waved at Lucy, who grinned, gave her a double thumbs up, and walked back to the school. Once Nash had settled himself, he looked over at her.

Studying his eyes intently, she nodded. “My apartment sounds great.”

He grunted, nodded his head, and started the truck.