“Let’s stay out here for a few more minutes. The half-time show just ended.” He cut off any rebuttal with a kiss.
The warmth from his body seeped into hers, chasing away her goosebumps. Lauren threw herself into the kiss. She could taste the alcohol on his breath. It had to be a cocktail from the bar. She’d never seen Kevin touch a beer. Instead, he always ordered Manhattans and Old Fashions, drinks that seemed better suited to men from her father’s generation.
Kevin pulled his lips away. “I’m glad you came tonight. Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes, very much.”
“Do you have plans next Saturday?” Kevin leaned back against the railing, his hand locked around hers. “Hamlet opens at the Wang Theater.”
“Sounds nice.”
Behind them the French doors opened. “The game is back on,” Mark Wentworth called out to them.
“I think that’s our cue.”
“Only if you’re ready.” Kevin rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “We can stay out here for a few more minutes.”
She appreciated the sentiment, but it made no sense for them to stay outside. “I’ve had enough fresh air.”
Kevin kept Lauren tucked up against him as they joined the others. She’d claimed the view and fresh air had pulled her outside, and he hoped that was the only reason she’d left the party. When he’d left her alone with Mark’s and Henry’s wives, he’d assumed she would be at ease with the women. After all, she possessed an outgoing personality and regularly spent time with the likes of Callie Talbot and Sara Sherbrooke. He wanted Lauren to enjoy herself—get to know his friends and business associates.
“Are you hungry?” Kevin asked as he led her toward an empty love seat. On the large screen television, the Patriots’ offense was preparing for the first play of the second half.
Lauren shook her head and took a seat on the edge of the cushion. “All set.”
Sitting down next her, he pulled her back to him. “If you change your mind, let me know.” He took hold of her hand and let most of his attention return to the game.
Chapter 1
Lauren read the final paragraph of the essay and laughed. Her students never ceased to amaze her. As a way to combine language arts with their current science unit on space she’d asked them to write an essay about what they thought life on the moon would be like. She’d known some of her students had fantastic imaginations, but each of her fifth-graders amazed her with this assignment. The essays not only demonstrated their knowledge of the moon, but also showcased how far their writing skills had progressed since the start of the school year.
After writing a short note at the bottom of the most recent paper, Lauren put a grade in the top right-hand corner and added it to the corrected pile before recording the grade in her computer. She was about to reach for another essay when the doorbell echoed through her tiny ranch house, followed by JoJo’s barking. Taking a quick peek out the window, she recognized the dark green Mercedes parked in her driveway. Right on time as always. Lauren moved away from the window and toward the front door.
“Happy birthday.” Callie Talbot, her best friend since high school, stepped forward and gave Lauren a hug as soon as she opened the door, despite the large bag hanging from one arm and the large box in her hand.
“Thank you. Come on in,” Lauren said, returning the hug. “How was the drive?” Closing the door, she followed her friend, who was more like a sister, into the living room.
“Not bad. I stopped to see Helen on the way here.”
Lauren joined Callie on the couch. “How is she?” Helen Lee had been Callie’s mom’s best friend, and since her mom’s death a couple of years earlier, Callie went out of her way to stay in contact with the woman.
“Good. Her third grandchild was born last month. She had a ton of pictures to show me. And she said to say hello.” Callie set the bag down on the coffee table. “I can get my overnight bag from the car later, but I wanted to give you this now.” Reaching into the bag, Callie pulled out a small box wrapped with a pink bow, as well as a large cake box. “I saw these and thought of you.” She handed Lauren the small box.
Unwrapping the small box, Lauren smiled when she pulled open the lid. Nestled inside were long pink earrings in the shape of ballet slippers. The pair would fit in perfectly with her school jewelry. Every day she wore a different pair of silly earrings. She’d started doing it as a student teacher eleven years ago, and somehow it had become her thing. Now all her students expected it, and many gave her earrings as end-of-year gifts.