Chapter 5

5

ALAINA

I was both dreading and looking forward to going out with my sister after a long week. Drinks with Cate was always an adventure. At least for Cate it was. She was serious and businesslike, the kind of person who wore a power suit to brunch. But that was just Cate, and it didn't bother me. If anything, it was comforting in its consistency. She was my rock. My slightly intimidating rock.

I took a cab downtown to the bar Cate had chosen. It wasn't too far from the school, which meant I didn't have time to go back to her apartment and change. I looked down at my purple shirt with pink hearts. Cate was going to hate it, but I didn't care.

She was the one that insisted on going to these upscale bars filled with people that looked and dressed just like her. I would be perfectly happy with some hole in the wall. The city was full of chill places. But my sister would never be caught dead in a place like that.

I hopped out of the cab and went inside. The hostess looked at me like I had just crawled out from under a rock. I was used to the disapproving looks from certain people but they didn't bother me a bit. I liked who I was.

"Table for two," I told her.

She nodded once and led me to a table stuck in the corner, like she was afraid I might be seen by her wealthier clientele. As if the very sight of me might offend their delicate sensibilities.

A server came by almost immediately after I sat down. "Strawberry margarita for me. My sister will be here soon. Can we get a plate of appetizers?"

She nodded and walked away. Cate rushed in a few minutes later. She was always in a rush.

"Traffic is a nightmare." She removed her shoulder bag and put it on the floor next to our table. The waitress returned with my bright red margarita.

Cate ordered a gin and tonic with a twist of lime, of course.

"I ordered apps, but I was thinking we could split a burger."

She rolled her eyes. "You mean you want to order a burger but don't want me to think you're going to eat it all."

"You eat like a bird," I retorted. "I'm hungry. I need sustenance after shaping the minds of America's youth."

"Order a burger and I'll eat some of the fries," she compromised.

"Thank you."

The waitress returned once again with Cate's drink. I ordered the bacon burger with fries and off she went.

"So, how was your week at school?" Cate sipped her drink.

A smile spread across my face. "It was amazing, Cate. I love it. The kids are great, and while the pay isn't nearly what I used to make, I feel like I'm really connecting with them."

"I don't know how you spend your day with third graders," she said. "That would drive me to drinking."

"More than you already do?" I quipped.

"Very funny. Did any brats puke on you?"

I wrinkled my nose. "No. Why would that be a thing?"

"I don't know. Kids puke. They're little germ sponges."

I laughed. "Yes, but I don't mind. I like my kids. They're fun. And smart. I see myself in them. I wish I had a teacher like me when I was their age."

She laughed. "You're so humble."

"I have to admit I wasn't sure I would like it here, in the city and teaching. But I do like it. I think I can start building a life and putting down roots here in Chicago."

Cate nodded, her expression softening a bit. "I'm glad to hear that, Alaina. You'll like it here. I know it's a change, but I love this city. I love that there is always something to do."

"It's going to take a little getting used to, but I'm working on it."

Our plate of appetizers was delivered.

Cate dug in, munching on crispy fried pickles while I reached for a chicken wing. She was right, life was different in the city, but it was a good kind of different. A change was something that I'd been craving for years.

"You should come to the fall festival," I said, licking sauce off of my fingers.

Cate gave me a look that suggested I'd lost my mind. "You want me to hang around with a bunch of third graders?"

I laughed at her horrified face, grabbing a napkin to wipe my hands clean. "The parents will be there too! It'll be fun!"

An eyebrow rose skeptically over the rim of her drink as she took a sip. "You're going to make me go, aren't you?"

"Only if you want to," I replied, grinning mischievously. "There is one particular parent I want you to see."

She stopped with a stuffed mushroom halfway to her mouth. "Does this parent happen to be a man?"

"Yes, but that's not what I meant."

"Liar." She laughed. "You can't be looking at married men."

"He's not married."

Cate raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."

"Well, I had a meeting with Roan Lockhart, one of my student's fathers."

Cate choked on her cocktail, coughing and sputtering. "Roan Lockhart?" she gasped, eyes wide.

"Yes, Roan Lockhart," I replied, a bit puzzled by her reaction. "Is there something I should know? Is he a bad guy? Is he married? How do you know him? He told me he just moved here from New York." I shook my head. "I knew it. He was lying."

Cate took a deep breath, composing herself. "Alaina, Roan Lockhart is the wealthiest man in Chicago. He's a big deal in the business world—real estate, finance, you name it. The guy is practically royalty around here. He was based in New York but he's had an office here for a while."

I shrugged, taking a sip of my margarita. "That explains the wealth. I could tell he was rich."

"He's not rich—he's filthy rich," Cate corrected. "You have his kid in your class?"

"Yes." I nodded. "Mr. Lockhart and I had a brief meeting. He's also the guy that saved my life that morning—remember I told you about almost stepping into traffic."

"Roan Lockart saved you?!" Her shock and awe were all over her face.

"Yes." I nodded. "So embarrassing."

"Who's his kid?"

"Rafe," I replied.

"And Roan was there for a parent conference?" she asked as if that was the craziest thing she ever heard.

I nodded, eyes going big when I saw my burger coming my way. I quickly picked it up and took a big, juicy bite. I chewed happily while Cate ordered us another round of drinks.

"Tell me more about him," she said. "Is he hot?"

"He's very attractive," I said, wiping my mouth. "He seems a little controlling when it comes to Rafe's education. He's definitely a helicopter parent, but he doesn't seem all that bad. He actually cares, you know?"

"I can't believe you just sat down and had a conversation with Roan Lockart."

"I didn't realize he was a celebrity." I shrugged. "He was just a parent. Although my first impression of him wasn't great. I mean, yeah, he saved my life, but he was so abrupt. Like I ruined his day by almost getting run over. When he came into the classroom, he seemed pretty shocked to see me. He didn't believe I was the teacher. I think he was expecting someone different. Someone older maybe."

"Was he an asshole?"

"Not really." I shrugged.

Cate leaned in, lowering her voice and looking around like she was afraid someone might overhear her. "Alaina, I know a few of the guys who work for him, and they're jackasses. Roan's reputation isn't exactly warm and fuzzy."

I nodded, though I wasn't entirely convinced. Roan seemed intense, yes, but there was something about him that drew me in. "I'll be fine, Cate. Thanks for the heads-up. It's not like I'm trying to be his friend or marry him. I'm teaching his son—that's it."

Cate nodded, though I could tell she was still a bit concerned. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took another sip of her drink. "Just be careful, okay? Guys like Roan, they're used to getting what they want. And they don't take kindly to people who stand in their way. If you flunk his son, he might try to get you fired. If you do anything wrong, he might try and get you fired. With his clout, he can do it, too."

I nodded, taking the warning to heart. She was right—Roan Lockhart wasn't your everyday man. "I won't do anything to make him want to get me fired," I said. "His son is a good kid. I don't see any problems coming up."

"Yes, but guys like him are different," she said. "You might look at his kid the wrong way or maybe his son doesn't get picked for something. Then guess who's going to pay the price."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not worried. Besides, what am I going to do, quit? I can't kick the kid out of my classroom because I'm afraid of his father. That's not good for Rafe. It will be fine. I'm not worried."

"I am," she murmured.

We spent the rest of the evening catching up, laughing, and reminiscing about our childhood. Cate loosened up after a couple of drinks. I savored these moments when her business armor came off, revealing the sister I adored. She was always so serious. I liked when she could relax. I missed my big sister that used to laugh with me. I knew she had to grow up too fast to take care of me. I got to be wild and crazy, and she had to be the serious one.

When we returned home, I slipped into my nightly routine. "I'm going to take Beau for a walk," I told Cate.

Before we left, I gave him his medication. He was mostly blind and deaf now, but his tail still wagged when I scratched behind his ears. He had some arthritis, but the meds seemed to keep him limber enough to keep walking. He didn't seem to be in pain. I knew it was a matter of time before the pain caught up with him and I would have to make a difficult decision. But I wasn't going to think about that right now.

"You're a good boy, Beau," I whispered, kissing his head. "Hang in there, okay?"

We went for our usual short walk and went back home. With Beau settled, I grabbed my laptop and started looking for apartments. I wanted to stay close to the downtown area to be near the school, but it was expensive. Still, I scrolled through listings, trying to find something within my budget. I was going to be living in a closet apparently. It was either that or a commute. Since my car was about the least reliable vehicle on the planet, the last thing I wanted to do was rely on it. And public transportation was not appealing.

I was lost in thought, picturing myself in a cozy little apartment with a view of the skyline, when Cate knocked on my door.

"Hey, mind if I join you?" she asked, holding a cup of chamomile tea.

"Not at all," I said, smiling. "Come on in."

Cate sat down next to me, glancing at the screen. "Apartment hunting?"

"Yeah, I want to stay close to the school, but it's going to be pricey," I admitted.

Cate sipped her tea thoughtfully. "You'll find something, Alaina. You always do."

"I hope so," I said, leaning back against the pillows. "I really like it here, Cate."

Cate smiled. "I'm glad you're here, Alaina. It's nice having you close by."

"Thanks," I said. "It's nice being here. Even if you do keep your apartment freezing."

Cate laughed. "It's called air-conditioning, Alaina. Look it up."