Unexpected Admirer (7 page)

He stormed out of the room, leaving her with a pang of guilt in her chest and the smell of floral beauty reminding her that he was right. Dinner with Jesse would have to be the end of this silly affair.

The door pushed open, and her class began to assemble. But the usual Monday morning banter had already turned into mummers among the girls.

When the final bell rang, Melissa picked up the stack of tests to hand back. One of the girls in the back of the room, who looked as though she were just about to burst, spoke up. “Mrs. Mathews, did you really go on a date with Jesse Charles last night?”

Before she could speak, a boy in the front piped up. “My dad’s cousin in Grand Junction sold him a truck so he could keep it in town.”

“My sister was working at the restaurant and saw you there with him,” another girl said.

“He’s a tool,” the boy to her left gave as his opinion. “He’s got that supermodel girlfriend. What would he want her for?” He motioned to Melissa.

She took a breath to speak, but the class continued on without her.

“He’s not dating that model,” a girl with a Jesse Charles folder on her desk defended. “That is made up.”

“Whatever. He can
have
anyone he wants. Why would he choose Mrs. Mathews?” The boy turned to look at her. “No offense. You’re just not his type.”

William had been right. She could smell the roses behind her, and her stomach churned at the scent. Supermodels, musicians, and biology teachers from small towns didn’t mix well.

When would the life in this parallel universe end?

She turned around and threw the tests in the trash. She heard the gasps from behind her.

“Let’s learn some biology. Clean slate. But the next test will be harder.”

Now she felt in control again.

Melissa had hurried away from the school as fast as she could when the day was over. The last thing she wanted to hear was another thirteen-year-old asking her if Jesse Charles was a good kisser.

Romances in small towns were hard enough when both people were normal, but when one was famous, it was proving to be nearly impossible.

The rumor mill had started, and her greater concern was Jonah. How was he going to take all of this attention? He hadn’t done so well when his father died. He didn’t like people
needing
to talk to him.

She pulled into the driveway and took a deep breath. She was about to find out what he thought about it. His day couldn’t have been any easier. She was sure of it.

When Melissa pushed open the front door, she was sure she’d lost her mind. She could still smell the roses. As she stepped further into the house, she realized why. There had to be another ten vases full of roses of all different colors.

Jonah walked around from the kitchen, juice bag in hand and an enormous smile on his face. “What do you think, Mom?”

“What is all this?”

“Jesse sent them.”

Her mother followed Jonah out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “They came from different florists from different towns all day. I think you made a good impression on him.”

“I think he’s lost his mind,” Melissa retorted, knowing it wasn’t a good sign, but she could feel a smile settle on her lips.

“Mom, are you going to go out with him again?” Jonah asked and took a sip from his pouch.

“I don’t know. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

His brows drew closer. “Why? He likes you.”

“He’s nine years younger than me, and we don’t run in the same circles.”

“So.”

This wasn’t quite the conversation she’d expected. “Let’s just say this town isn’t ready for that.”

Jonah nodded. “Tell me about it. Everyone knows you went out with him last night. They talked about it all day.”

So he did have to deal with it. She knew it would reach him. Jonah didn’t need that. “And did it bother you that they were all talking about me?”

“Why? I think you’re lucky.”

Melissa set her hand on her chest, which was aching. “Why am I lucky?”

“Because he likes you.”

“He’s famous.”

“So is Mr. Carter, and no one cares anymore.”

The ache began to ease. “No one thinks Mr. Carter is important?”

“That’s not what I said.” He blew into the juice pouch and inflated it. “It’s just now they know him. He used to be a big time football guy, and now he’s the football coach and a dad. Big deal. I met Jesse. He came here. I think he’s a nice guy.”

“You’re not just saying that because you have a poster of him in your room?”

“I’m ten. I’m not dumb.” He slowly flattened the pouch between his palms. “He likes you, and he makes you happy. You haven’t been happy in a long time.”

The ache in her chest had become a lead weight in her stomach. There she thought she’d had a grasp on life and was worried about Jonah. Who would have thought she’d been the miserable one, and Jonah had been worried about her.

“Jonah, I don’t know that seeing Jesse is going to work out. I don’t want you to be upset about that.”

“Mom, enjoy it while it lasts. Sure, maybe you won’t get married and I won’t have brothers and sisters, but maybe you’ll have a good time while it lasts. That can’t hurt, can it?”

She could feel tears welling in her eyes, and when she looked at her mother, she was wiping tears from her eyes with the towel she hand in her hand.

Melissa walked over to her son and wrapped her arms tightly around him. “You’re an amazing kid.”

He wiggled, trying to get away. “I know. Can I just go over to Nathan’s and play? You’re too cuddly.”

She laughed and released him. “Yes. One hour.”

“An hour?” He darted for the back door. “Cool. See? Jesse is already working out. You only let me out for thirty minutes last week.”

The door slammed behind him, and Melissa’s mother laughed. “That kid is a piece of work. But he’s happy for you.”

“I don’t see this working out, Mom.”

“Then maybe you’d better get some of your son’s attitude. Find a bright side for once,” she said as she turned back to the kitchen.

That night Melissa carried a vase of roses to her room and set them on the nightstand. She shut her bedroom door, turned on the TV, and went into the bathroom to ready herself for bed.

As she settled into place for a quiet moment, her cell phone rang. It was ten o’clock. No one called her that late, but when she saw the caller ID come up with Jesse’s name, her heart rate kicked up.

“Hello,” she said quietly as to not wake up the others.

“You didn’t happen to think of me today, did you?”

She chuckled and relaxed against her pillows. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“I had fun.”

“Well, thank you.”

“I was worried about the one I sent to your school. I shouldn’t have done that.”

At least he had some common sense buried in those good looks, she thought. “No one knows anything.”

“I missed you.”

Her heart beat even harder. Why did she even care about this man? She didn’t want to, but she was slipping into a territory she hadn’t been in for years. There was a giddiness to her when she heard his voice. She’d gone into Jonah’s room three times just to look at the poster of him. This wasn’t good.

“Where are you?” she asked and then decided to retract. “Never mind. You don’t have to tell me.”

Jesse laughed. “I just finished a show.”

“Calling me after work?”

“Yeah, I guess I am. How was your day?”

“Lots of teenagers with lots of questions about me dating you.”

She heard him let out a deep breath into the phone. “I’m sorry. This can’t be easy for you.”

“Jonah says I should suck it up.”

“I like him. Smart kid.”

“He sure is.”

She could hear him walking with the phone and then the background was quiet. “Listen, I know me coming into your life isn’t easy. I wouldn’t blame you if you told me to take a hike.”

Melissa sighed. “I’d thought about it.”

“Oh.”

“I’m older than you. I have a normal job. I have a kid. I live in a small town full of small town gossips. But, there is something about you.”

“I’m charming.”

She laughed. “You are charming.” She adjusted under her sheets. “I was worried most about Jonah, but he seems to be worried about me never being happy.”

“I know. We talked.”

She sat up in her bed. “You talked?”

“I called the house looking for you earlier, before the show. He said you hadn’t gotten home yet. He’s a great kid. He really looks out for you.”

She’d never noticed before, but she was starting to. “He thinks you’re good for me.”

“I hope so. I want to be good to you, too. You deserve that.”

“You don’t know me.”

“But I want to.”

How had this all happened? Who ever thought something so crazy would happen to her. “Jesse, I don’t know what I can offer you.”

“I’m not looking for anything. Let’s start with friendship, okay? I know this isn’t normal for you, but I’m just a normal guy and I’m very attracted to you.”

Again, she couldn’t imagine. “I haven’t been in a relationship in a very long time.”

“Sure you have. You’re a mother and a teacher. Those are some very important relationships.”

Again, he was very wise. “You’re still planning on coming for dinner on Sunday?”

“If you don’t mind.”

She took a deep breath. “I think I’m actually looking forward to it.”

“Good. I knew I bought that truck for a reason. Well, I have to go. I have a radio interview to give. Goodnight, Melissa.”

She closed her eyes and imagined his face. “Goodnight.”

She turned off the phone and nestled herself into bed. As she closed her eyes, she thought of Jesse. The memory of his kiss had her pressing her lips together. Would he always make her feel so good about everything?

Melissa reached for the remote and turned off the TV. What would Martin think of such a crazy thing? Guilt began to flutter in her stomach. Martin. How could she possibly close her eyes and think of another man? Maybe this wasn’t going to work out at all.

Chapter Six

William was waiting inside Melissa’s classroom the next morning. It had been, in the very recent past, that when she saw him she’d be very happy to have his company. However, ever since Jesse Charles happened into her life, things had been different.

Seeing William Scott seated behind her desk only managed to make her angry.

“Morning, William. Can I help you with something?”

“Smells nice in here. You didn’t take your flowers home.”

She saw no reason to let him know she was well stocked in the floral department at her house. “They add a nice touch.”

“Listen,” he said as he stood and walked toward her. “You and I seem to be…at odds this past week. I just wanted to make sure we’re okay.”

“William, we are fine. It’s been a little different, I’ll admit. But I’m not willing to let a lifetime friendship go down the drain because you’re worried.”

She saw the anger flare in his eyes, but true to his nature, he let it fizzle down before he spoke. “I want you and Jonah to be happy and safe. That’s all.”

“I know.” She touched his arm and passed by him.

“So, how about that night out? You and me? Grand Junction. Dinner. Dancing.”

“I have plans this weekend,” she said as she set her bag on her desk.

“Plans?”

Now his temper had moved to the vein in his temple. She hadn’t seen him this mad in years. “William, do you think there is more going on between you and me than I know about?”

He swallowed hard, walked to the door, and closed it.

“I have taken care of you and Jonah for the past three years. You and I have…something, don’t we?”

This was not a conversation she’d planned on having—ever. “William, you are a very dear friend. I didn’t realize your feelings were more than that.”

“Neither did I.” His voice had softened. He ran his hand over his hair and let out a breath. “I just think that this Jesse character is messing with you. Don’t get me wrong. You’re a very attractive and intelligent woman…”

“But why would a famous singer want to be with me?” Now her voice sounded as pathetic as his had.

“Listen,” he said as he took her hands in his. “I didn’t know I had any feelings until he came along. As far as I was concerned, I thought we were doing okay, and who knows, maybe I thought it would all change someday. Martin was my best friend. When he died it was just the right thing to do, to take care of you and Jonah. But there was more there.”

She knew that, but she’d denied it herself.

“William, why are you telling me this? Why now?”

She heard the bell ring, and soon the students were going to fill the halls. It would be even worse for her if they saw him holding her hands than it was for them to know she kissed Jesse Charles.

“I just don’t want you to get hurt. I don’t want this punk filling your head with ideas. You know what guys like him are like. They’re only out for one thing.”

“And if that were true, don’t you suppose there would be a line of women offering it up.”

He finally dropped her hands, as if he were aware of the kids in the hallway. “That’s why I think this is a game to him. Just don’t let him hurt you. I may not always be here to pick up the pieces.”

She felt the heat fill her cheeks. How dare he…

The door opened, and her first student walked in. William gave her a smile and turned to leave the room.

The minute the last bell of the day gave way to the freedom of the masses, Melissa gathered her bag and headed straight to William’s office.

He was standing just inside when she walked in and slammed the door behind her.

“How dare you talk to me the way you did this morning. What I do in my personal life is of no business to you.”

William’s eyes shot open wide. He stepped to the side just the slightest bit to acknowledge the woman seated in the chair behind him.

He swallowed hard. “Mrs. Mathews, I’d like to introduce you to Mrs. Zucker.” He turned back to her, his lips pursed. “She’s trying to decide between Aspen Creek or Aspen Hills for her son’s scholastic needs when they move here in the spring.”