3. Berkley

My first day was a success. Sure, there were some rocky parts, but for the most part it was smooth sailing. Lunchtime was our only hiccup, partly because I noticed a certain little girl forgot her food in her mom's car. The waterworks were coming on, and we had to avert that crisis. I snuck some money to the lunch lady and let her know Sienna's lunch was covered.

Now, the kids are playing in the corners the girls and I've created in my room, a reading nook, a toy area for building things, and then another for fictional play. I figured if we got through our curriculum for the day, there was no reason why they couldn't spend their last twenty minutes doing something fun, and it seems to have worked out so far.

Each parent comes to pick up their child, something I love about this school. They're not big on parent pick-up lanes in vehicles. It might be a public school, but it definitely has that private small-town feel.

"Miss Jennings, can you come play with me?" Sienna the last one here, which kind of shocks me because her parents seemed super caring when I had that incident at the restaurant. Even this morning, Sienna's mom seemed like she was right there watching her every movement.

"Sure." I think nothing of it. Today, when I got dressed, I made sure my clothes were easy to move around in, so I'm wearing an oversized plum-colored sweater that covers all the goods, paired with a pair of black leggings. It needed some pizazz, because if not, Aspen would come after me. Though, I do have to say the faux snakeskin booties really tie the outfit together. Bonus for it being comfortable.

Sienna is in the reading nook area. This was my task when the girls came in to help me, and it's probably my favorite place of all. There's a shelf filled to the brim with books, my mom's doing. I had her hunt and peck for age and school appropriate books the minute I was assigned to my first-grade class. Then I made sure there were massive floor pillows, a cushy area rug, and a children's play tent. It's so neat and even has all of the continents imprinted on it. I've always been this nerdy type person mixed with a bit of sunshine and hurricane, at least that's what my daddy always says.

"What book do you have there?" I ask her once we settle into the space. I guess she likes to read instead of play. I'm perfectly okay with that. There are only so many things you can build before you want to give up.

"Dr. Seuss. I read them a lot when I'm at home." I've noticed a lot about the children in my classroom, mostly that they talk so well for their age.

"Do you want to read it for me, or would you like me to read it to you?"

"I'll read it. I don't think we have this one at home," she ponders, her pointer finger on her chin as she thinks. I smile, nodding my head.

Sienna reads the book. I'm watching her the entire time, thinking about how she is the perfect blend of Melody and who I'm assuming is her father. Her dark brown hair is in a plaited braid, and she has long eyelashes that most women would do anything for to have naturally. Believe me, I would. Instead, I deal with a blow dryer, an eyelash curler, primer, and mascara. It's so not fair. She has an olive tone to her skin yet still has rose-colored cheeks while she gets flustered with a word every now and then. I allow her the time to sound it out, not rushing her or taking over.

"There you go!" I clap my hands, giving her praise. The smile she gives me says it all. Sienna gets back to reading, both of us lost in what she's doing until she says, "The End," and we hear clapping coming from the doorway.

Sienna places her book on the shelf before darting off towards the man I not only didn't think I'd see again, but who is also not for me. Not that I can blame Melody. He's a tall drink of water. I refuse to catalogue further everything he is.

"Uncle Ry-Ry!" Sienna greets him, which has me sucking in a gulp of air. No freaking way, I think to myself. There's no way that he's Sienna's uncle. I didn't allow myself to think about him for the past month—not the way he seemed to hold me even after I had stopped choking, not the way he squeezed my hip, multiple times, and definitely not about how adamant he was about me being taken care of.

"How's my favorite niece?" he questions. That's when I take him in. He's tall, taller than my five-foot-six-inch frame, even with the highest heels I had on that night.

"Uncle Ryder, I'm your only niece, silly." He picks her up, holding Sienna under her booty, making sure nothing is showing under the floral dress she's wearing today. My eyes drink up everything that is Ryder and just how fine he is, and I mean that with a capital F, I, N, E. I'm feeling the need to FaceTime with all the girls tonight. If not all of them, then definitely Aspen. The men in Texas sure are made differently than back home. Ryder's hair is on the short side, buzzed and cropped close to the top. His angular jaw and chiseled high cheekbones are the whole package. And clearly, Sienna carries Melody and Ryder's genes when it comes to those deep brown eyes of theirs. The fitted navy-blue shirt he is wearing outlines his muscular chest and arms, tapered waist, slim-fitting jeans, and I'm definitely thinking about the bulge I felt against me not so long ago. Well-worn boots pull his outfit together.

"Give me a few minutes with your teacher, princess," Ryder tells her.

"Sure, I can read another book, but then you owe me a snack, plus grocery shopping," Sienna barters.

"Like I could ever deny you those requests." They meet each other's foreheads, a silent answer for them both. He places Sienna on her feet, then she's scurrying past me to the book nook. Ryder looks at me, something playing on his face, but I'm not sure what. What I know as well as I know myself is that this man is going to be my downfall. The way he looks, how he carries himself, how he interacts with his niece. Yep, I'm done for, I think the entire time as he saunters towards me, all while I'm trying to regain my composure.