Chapter 6

six

ISLA

I consider throwing a glass of water in Maddox's face when he offers to pay me to stay and claim our date went well. Honestly, it's still on the table. But then my mind wanders to my students and the hardships they face. They overcome so many challenges just to show up each day. And wasn't I just wishing I could do something for them? Something that would encourage them to keep going? Something to lift their spirits?

Well, Maddox Graves just handed me a blank check full of possibilities, and I'd sit through this miserable dinner a thousand times over if he agrees to what I'm about to ask.

And it doesn't hurt that he looks incredibly nervous. I swear I can hear him audibly gulp from across the table. For the first time since I walked into this restaurant, I'm starting to have fun.

I can't help it. I grin wickedly at him, lean back in my chair, and chuckle. "You're sweating in your skates, aren't you?"

He doesn't look amused. "I highly doubt you'll ask for anything I haven't heard before. Just know, there will be a monetary limit to what I'm willing to buy for you."

God, he's an ass. He honestly thinks I want him to buy me jewelry or something? As if I'd want to wear a reminder of this date on my body. And also, rude. I'm a grown woman. I can buy my own jewelry.

"I don't want your money." He huffs out a breath but remains silent. Elbows on the table, he waits for my request. "I want your time."

His nose wrinkles. "My time?" I nod. As I open my mouth to explain, he says, "This isn't an offer to coerce me into dating you."

The ego on this guy. I'm not sure how he fit through the double doors of the restaurant.

"It's cute," I drawl, tilting my head to the side, "that you think I'd want a repeat of this night with you." I'd rather make another appointment with Louise to get my snatch waxed. "But that's not what I'm talking about."

His narrowed gaze bores into me. I enjoy making him sweat. Does this guy really have such a shallow view of women that he thinks I'd ask him for something sparkly or more dates? Why? Because he's slightly famous? Ridiculous.

"What, exactly, are you talking about, then?"

"I want you to do a speaking engagement. For free. Maybe bring some shirts or big foam fingers or something." The kids would get such a kick out of that.

He arches one dark eyebrow. "A speaking engagement? Where? "

"At my job. My students would flip out if you came to speak to them. I shouldn't have any trouble talking the principal into setting up an all-school assembly." My mind is whirring with the possibilities. I wonder if I can make it a whole thing? I could approach some local shops and restaurants to see if they'd be willing to cater lunch or sponsor school supplies for the kids. Or even goodie bags full of toiletries and essentials. So many of them go without.

"Your students?"

Why is he repeating everything I say? Did I stutter? "Yeah. My students."

He frowns. "You're a teacher."

"Yup. High school English." We pause our conversation as Gregory delivers our food. The scent is heavenly, and I sigh when I breathe it in. But Maddox? His focus is solely on me. I smile at Gregory. "Thank you."

He gives a slight nod. "Enjoy your dinner."

Oh, I plan to. I spear a green bean smothered in sauce and pop it in my mouth. It's delicious, and I can't help the small moan that falls from my lips.

Maddox clears his throat. "Do you work at one of those fancy private schools in town?"

I let out a huff of laughter. "God, no. Center High."

The wheels turn in his head. He's struggling to compute what I've said. I'm not sure why he'd assume I work at one of the posh private schools in the area. Hard pass. Not because there's anything wrong with posh private schools, but because those kids already have a thousand legs up on mine. And I'm not saying I'm the best teacher in the world because I know I'm not. But I care. A lot. And that's got to count for something .

"Isn't Center High a public school in North Minneapolis?"

I nod. I know what's coming.

His frown deepens. "That area's dangerous."

"You don't have to worry. You'll be totally safe when you come and speak. We have security." I don't tell him that security is a sixty-year-old man named Felix who wears coke-bottle glasses and still squints at everything. Doubt that will help ease his mind.

"That's not what I'm worried about," Maddox replies. His voice is gruff, and if he wasn't such a huge jerk, it might even have dampened my panties. But he is a jerk. So my panties stay dry. Mostly. "You don't live in that area, do you?"

What the hell? Why would he even care? "Not sure that's any of your business." This is getting weird. "Anyway. So many of my kids will never get the chance to hear someone important say they're rooting for them. They'll never hear a successful hockey player tell them they can achieve their dreams if they work hard enough. And it doesn't matter how many times I say it to them. For some stupid reason, it'll mean more coming out of your mouth than it ever will from mine." I take a bite of my steak. "So that's what I want you to do for me. I want you to come to my school, look my kids in their eyes, and tell them you're cheering for them. That you believe they can do great things."

His voice is still gruff when he says, "That's all you want from me?"

It feels pretty big to me. It'll feel even bigger to the kids. I cock my head to the side and nod. "That's all I want from you. "

He's silent for a moment and I worry he'll go back on his word. Especially since his face is scrunched up like he smells a fart. "I… That's not what I expected."

I scoff. "Yeah, you thought I was going to ask you to buy me jewelry. What the hell, man? What kind of woman would ask some stranger to buy her jewelry? Especially when that stranger has been a total prick." I savor another green bean. "You have a pretty shit view of women."

To his credit, Maddox's cheeks flush. He rubs the back of his neck. For the first time since I sat down across from him, I catch a flash of vulnerability. It's quick, and he hides it well, but I see it. "Maybe I do."

And maybe he and I have more in common than either of us would admit. Doesn't excuse his behavior, though.

"How long have you been teaching?" He only makes the briefest eye contact with me when he asks, focusing on his dinner. I don't blame him. At least his dinner won't scowl at him like I've been doing.

"Not long at all." Even though it can feel like ages. "I worked hard to graduate early. Took classes through the summer and almost killed myself getting my masters in an accelerated timeline. But this is only my second year."

Alex hated how much extra time I spent studying so I could graduate early. It cut into my time with him, and it meant I couldn't always attend the dinners he wanted me to attend. Being in a committed relationship looked good to the partners of the firms he was trying to get into, which meant he loved to parade me around. I spent so many nights apologizing for pursuing my own goals. Because Chris-Hemsworth-forbid he ever had to attend work events alone. Why did I ever apologize for that? I never asked him to put his dreams on hold for me. Never would .

Maddox watches me closely as my mind wanders. I shake my head to clear my thoughts when I notice his attention on me. "I did my student teaching at Center. I fell in love with the kids and practically begged my way into a job. It can be difficult both mentally and emotionally, but it's so worth it."

"You really care about your students." It's a statement, not a question, but I get the sense he's trying to figure me out. That I'm a lowly English teacher seems to have blown his mind.

"I do. They're great kids. I'm lucky I get to be a part of their lives." And I am lucky. I think in the two years I've taught at Center High, I've learned more about tenacity and perseverance from my students than they've learned about Thoreau or Orwell from me.

And while I believe literature is important because it opens our minds to new perspectives and thoughts in a way little else can, I'm not blind to the fact that having the time and freedom to get lost in a book is a privilege some of these kids don't have. So many work part-time jobs after school gets out. Some have to take care of siblings or grandparents. And they do it. Without complaint.

It's humbling. I don't think I was ever that strong at their age.

Maddox nods. "I'd be honored to speak at your school."

"Really?"

"Truly."

Despite my best efforts to control my reaction, I let out a little squeal of happiness. To think, somehow this amazing moment came out of the worst first date I've ever had—maybe the worst date period .

So, maybe I'll die alone and sexually unfulfilled. Maybe I'll never make Alex jealous enough to crawl through pig slop in a bid to beg my forgiveness. Maybe I'm just not built for love. I was built to be a fantastic teacher. And right now, that's good enough for me.

I hold out my hand for Maddox to shake, a genuine smile stretching wide across my face. "Then you have a deal."