Chapter 5

FIVE

JASPER

Somehow I'd survived my first week. There were practically scuff marks on my knees from the exhaustion that beat at me, but despite the tiredness, exhilaration made a solid attempt for dominance. It wasn't winning, unfortunately. My tired eyes prevented that, but I was still pleased I'd made it through the week relatively unscathed.

"Mr. Taylor?"

I didn't even have to glance at my seating plan to know who the freckled fifteen-year-old was. Timmy seemed to have tasked himself with being my alarm as well as the one kid who decided to ask every question going all week. He was studious, had the potential to be at the top of the class if he could keep focused long enough, and he also drove me to distraction as much as he entertained me.

"Yes, Mr. Dolan, what can I do for you?" I glanced up from the papers I'd collected while the students packed up, ready for the end of the day.

"My aunt said Taming of the Shrew was pretty much the same as one of her favorite moves, 10 Things I Hate About You . Is that right?"

Heath Ledger flashed into my head with a mix of swooning and sadness. "Your aunt has good taste," I said.

Timmy shrugged, saying, "She's almost forty, so she's pretty old."

I slammed my mouth shut, determined not to laugh. "Well," I continued, ignoring his comment, "the film is loosely based on Shakespeare's play. The relationships and cast are similar, and the plot arc about finding the heroine a boyfriend or husband has obvious similarities."

"Yeah." Timmy nodded as he heaved his bag off the table. "I should be good watching that then, right, instead of reading the book?" He continued to bob his head up and down as though this was the best and most obvious compromise in the world.

Meanwhile, I shook my head quickly. "Unfortunately, Timmy, the text has to be read and studied. You writing about a late nineties American high school rather than Padua, an Italian city, would be a sure way to fail your assignment."

His groan was echoed in a chorus around him, and multiple disappointed and disgruntled teenage faces stared back at me.

I grinned, spouting the quote, "Gracious…, I that do bring the news made not the match." I finished with raised brows, only to receive scrunched-up noses in return. I laughed lightly, saying, "I really can't wait to start introducing you to Shakespeare." The bell erupted, causing a flurry of activity. "Have a great weekend," I called out, a lightness filling my chest when a handful of students said goodbye and offered more than a grunt.

Maybe it was a little too soon for quoting random Shakespeare at them, but Timmy's wide-eyed confusion was pretty amusing.

When the last of the students filed out, I returned to my desk and sat down heavily. I wondered if it would screw up my whole sleep pattern if I went home right now and passed out. I was sure it would take zero effort to fall onto my mattress after a quick shower to wash away the school day. A yawn slipped past my lips, and I covered my mouth, squinting before rubbing my hand over my face.

There was no way I had the energy to stay back tonight. While I had planning to do and the papers from the short quiz I'd collected to mark, I intended to set aside Sunday morning for that.

Falling asleep now would be a mistake, I was sure. Plus, I'd promised Ian we'd catch up after his shift. He was off at six, so it didn't mean a late night. I didn't think I had it in me for any gaming tonight, though.

I felt a little guilty, as Ian and I usually chatted every day, but this past week, I'd been struggling to balance planning for my lessons with having downtime and a decent night's sleep. It meant we'd only texted all week. Ian reassured me he understood, but he was also having an awful time at work. I'd been slacking off in the friend department, so there was no chance of me bailing on him tonight.

Relieved it was the weekend, I considered what else I'd get up to. A small smile curved my lips when I considered Austin's offer to take me out in his truck. There was no reason to think it was an empty gesture, not with the kindness he'd shown me pretty much daily. Plus, I was sure he felt something beyond professional concern and courtesy toward me.

Those smiles he sent my way, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners, lifting and lighting in such a way that made my heart flutter indicated that an afternoon driving was more about the chance of getting to know each other better. Specifically away from work.

I was more than okay with that. I just had to double-check whether the offer was still on the cards, and since the guy had spent the week looking out for me, it was only right I was the one who approached him.

After quickly packing up my classroom and collecting my laptop and papers, I headed in the direction of the main reception, where Austin's office adjoined.

The reception was already empty when I arrived. I imagined everyone was anxious to race home on a Friday after a full-on week. But the area wasn't quiet.

My eyes widened when I heard a raised voice. It wasn't Austin's but was coming from his office. I paused, not sure whether to advance or not. A moment later, the office door swung open. A man stormed out, his face red, his gaze immediately landing on me and shooting daggers in my direction.

I straightened a little, unsure what this guy's problem was while hoping Austin was okay. The guy was tall. He had a good six inches on me. He was also spindly, older, and there wasn't a scrap of kindness in his hard gaze. The word bitter sprang to mind.

A sneer lifted his lip as he approached, I assumed—and hoped like hell—heading toward the door rather than me. His cold eyes raked over me, his steps slowing before Austin's voice startled me, pulling my attention to the now open doorway.

"Rupert, just keep on walking."

Recognition of who this man was registered. I caught a glimpse of Austin's focused stare on the back of his ex's head. Saw both resignation and frustration on his features.

Schooling my face, as it was obvious Rupert was gunning for a reaction in some way, I stepped aside and kept my expression as neutral as possible. It was difficult with that fixed sneer still evident, but Austin's demand seemed to have done the trick, as his ex waltzed on, nothing but derision curling his lips.

Once he'd left, the door slamming behind him, I turned my wide eyes back to Austin. "You okay?" It was the only important question at that moment.

His smile didn't reach his eyes when he said, "Yeah. I'm okay." He cast his gaze over me, saying, "You heading out?"

I hesitated, not sure how to react to his ex clearly being an asshat and causing him problems, nor this melancholy version of Austin before me. When I nodded, I found myself saying, "Yeah, but we can hang out or something if you want." I inwardly groaned. While I wasn't quite sure how old Austin was, "hanging out" didn't quite seem the right term to use with the man. Rather than backtrack or change my wording, I instead offered him a smile. He'd looked stressed before I'd offered, and the small lift in his shoulders and the smoothing out of the deep frown set between his eyes as he looked at me made my stomach flip in the best of ways.

Feeling bolder, my smile settled more naturally on my lips. "Maybe get Penny and take her for a walk?" I said, inspired and quietly congratulating myself. There was no doubt I was eager to get to know Austin better, and helping him get his head out of the negativity I'd walked into was an added boon.

His mouth curled up before he answered, "I'd really like that. Thank you." His gaze skirted to my leather shoes, and he pressed his lips together.

Understanding registered, so I stopped him before he could speak. "I have sneakers in the car. I don't think we wear the same size." Heat spread over my cheeks in an instant, my mind going completely in the wrong direction with that comment. Flustered, I huffed out a breath. No way was I going to touch that innuendo. And while I'd said it innocently enough, I couldn't help but wonder what he was packing.

I slammed my thoughts down tight, or at least desperately tried to. My eyes connected to Austin's when I heard him shift. Lips drawn into his mouth and eyes filled with mirth, it was clear he was struggling not to snicker. Giving up, I shrugged. "Okay," I said with a small chuckle, "you can laugh it up while grabbing what you need. I'll head to the car and wait out there for you."

His laughter was loud and quick. The amusement in his eyes lit his whole face, making the tension evident just a few moments ago a distant memory. It felt good to make him laugh, make him forget his woes.

I rolled my eyes at him, my own laughter falling from my mouth.

"Why don't you follow me home to get Penny?" His suggestion stopped me in my tracks. "Parking can be ridiculous where I take her for a walk, especially this time of the afternoon."

It made sense, so I bobbed my head. "Sounds good." And as I turned on my heels and headed to the parking lot, I couldn't help swallowing nervously over the fact that Austin was about to invite me into his space.

It didn't take long, a short drive before we were pulling up outside a house that surprised me. When we'd started the journey, I'd expected to be remaining in town, or maybe the outskirts and one of the modern townhouses. They were stylish and sleek and expensive. Though as we'd moved past the outskirts of town, the more I'd thought about it, the more it made sense that Austin didn't live in the prestigious estate .

While he dressed well, a necessity of his position, there was nothing ostentatious about the man. Plus I was totally digging the few whiskers I'd noticed he hadn't shaved off in the past couple of days. He was far from unkempt, but he was totally down-to-earth.

But this house was something.

It was an honest-to-God gothic revival house. I glanced around as I pulled up, seeing one neighbor some hundred yards or so away. Its roof was high-pitched with decorated bargeboard and cross gables, arched windows that were most definitely gothic in design. And I was in love. There was a first-floor porch, a feature I'd always loved.

And this was no modern-day knockoff.

There was a need for a good coat of paint, and quite possibly a few of the bargeboards needed replacing. It was far from pristine, and it was perfect.

"Wow," I said as I exited my car. "This is incredible." It didn't matter that the one banister railing was a little rotten or that the paint was peeling. The whole house wasn't quite what I associated with the misunderstood Heathcliff or the genius that was Shelley and the hundreds of thousands of words I'd devoured when studying gothic literature. But in its loved and well-worn state, there were enough stunning features to send my romantic heart a little crazy.

Austin moved to stand at my side, his focus on the house. "Thank you. When it came on the market not long after I moved here, I couldn't resist."

"It really is beautiful." My wide eyes didn't stray from the steep lines of the roof. I couldn't wait to see what it was like inside.

"I think so. Rupert hated it. We only lived together for a couple of years, and he tried time and time again to convince me to sell and buy in town." From my peripheral vision, I saw he was shaking his head. "Sorry, the last thing I want to talk about is Rupert."

"No, honestly, it's fine," I reassured quickly. Still with no idea what had gone down at work, I didn't push. Admittedly I was curious, but there was no way I'd pry. "I'm so glad you didn't." I angled to look at him when I caught his movement to face me. I indicated toward his home. "Sell up. It would have been a tragedy." Even though I smiled, I was deadly serious. Wanting to give up a place like this…. Rupert really was a dickhead.

"Well, it's a work in progress, but I'm getting there, slowly but surely." He took a few steps forward and glanced back at me. "You want a quick tour before heading out?"

My head was bobbing up and down on the first syllable.

Austin laughed. "Come on then. It'll have to be quick, as there's no way Penny will let us get away with a long tour."

Following him up the stairs, I admired the view. His ass looked mighty fine in his pressed pants, and the latticework on the staircase was incredible too. Multitasking was a talent of mine, and I'd never been more grateful for that.

"Shoes off?" I asked before I entered, Austin holding the door open for me. My mom would have whipped my butt if I hadn't at least asked.

"You're all good. Dress shoes tend not to be caked in anything we need to be worried about." A small wink followed his words, and once more, my heart increased in speed.

After a quick tour where I continued to mimic a gasping fish out of water and was almost bowled over by Penny, I stared across his grounds. This place really was incredible.

"How much land do you have?"

"Just a couple of acres. Enough to keep me busy." There was the distinct sound of the fridge door opening. "Bottle of water to take out?"

I nodded and threw him a smile from over my shoulder. "That'd be great, thanks." I turned and faced him. "We ready?" He bobbed his head. "I'll switch to my sneakers. "

We walked out together toward his truck, Penny bounding happily by his side. After changing into my Nikes, I headed over to the truck and pulled myself inside the cab. Another grin curled my lips high. It really was an amazing vehicle.

Austin's soft laugh pulled my gaze to him. His smile was wide as he looked over at me. "Pass your inspection?" He tilted his head, his eyes bright with amusement.

"Start her up and get us on the road, and I'll let you know." I mirrored his movement, and he snorted, starting the engine. I looked over my shoulder at Penny, who was safely secured in the bed of the truck. She couldn't reach the side, but she sat calmly, her tongue lolling out of her mouth as she gazed around. "She knows the routine?" I indicated behind me.

"You could say that. She loves coming out in the truck. Not that I can blame her." He flicked his eyes briefly in my direction, a self-assured grin on his mouth before he returned his attention to the road. "Seriously, though. I tried just walking around the property, throwing her a ball. While she loved it, she doesn't react quite the same as me taking her out and to the dog park. Plus it's good to socialize her, you know?"

"There's a dog park back in town?" I asked, not really knowing the town all that well. "I thought maybe we were just taking her to some open land or something," While it was bigger than Kirkby, it was a far cry from a city. Truth be told, I'd only stopped there a couple of times. My parents had moved to Kirkby when I was just eighteen. They hadn't been ready for retirement, far from it, but they'd been looking for somewhere quieter and had been able to live pretty much anywhere with good internet as Dad had worked remotely. It meant beyond the basics of having heard that the school was a decent one and that there was a two-screen movie theater, I didn't know much else about this town.

But what I'd seen, I liked.

"Yes," Austin answered. "I think it opened just before I moved into the area. Penny loves it. Plus it's close to the ice-cream place."

"There's an ice cream place in town?" I practically gushed as my voice took on a dreamy sigh. Anyone who knew me well was fully aware of my weakness—some said fixation—on the cold stuff.

"Yes, a really good one too." His eyes briefly connected with mine. "They even stay open a little later on Friday and Saturday nights."

"It would be rude not to check out the place," I teased. Jesting aside, there was no way I couldn't get ice cream. I deserved a treat after my long-ass week .

"I agree," he answered, his humor evident. "Plus, it's my treat for surviving your first week."

My stomach did a weird nervous flip at that. It should have been weird that I was out with my boss. But there was nothing about our time together that screamed strange or uncomfortable, apart from the regular moments I maybe rambled too much or left myself open for innuendo. Though his reaction, every single time so far, was far from awkward. And while I was certainly no expert in pretty much anything other than—I hoped—teaching high school English, we had a connection, quite possibly a mutual attraction. And if I was way off the mark with the latter, I was enjoying his company a lot.

With all of this playing in my head, it took me a moment to register that I'd gone quiet and that Austin had said my name, maybe even asked me a question.

"What, sorry?" I pulled my focus away from staring into the distance and glanced at him.

"You okay?" Concern marred his features. "If you're too tired…?"

I shook my head immediately. "No, I'm all good. A little spaced out and tired. But never too tired for a walk with the promise of ice cream."

He seemed satisfied with my answer when his frown evened out, and he returned his attention to navigating through the traffic lights now we were in town.

Once he'd parked, Austin placed Penny on her lead, and we headed to the fenced park. He held the gate open for me, and I smiled in thanks. Safely in the secure area, Austin removed Penny's lead, and she jetted away, heading toward a group of trees.

The park was pleasantly quiet and much larger than the one I'd driven by in Kirkby.

"Are you still up for a drive this weekend somewhere?" Austin cut through the companionable quiet as we strolled a loop around the area.

His question made me pause a moment as I tried to organize my thoughts. "Yes…," I started, still needing time to gather myself, but it was clear I was trailing off.

Austin shot me a tentative glance. "It sounds like there's a but to that response."

An apologetic smile tilted my lips. "I didn't really intend there to be." I looked ahead, twisting my lips a little. "Can I be honest with you?" I swallowed my nerves, knowing I had to be real and open.

"I'd like it if you were." The response was quickly offered.

I spied a bench up ahead. It seemed like a good place to pause. Seeming to understand my intent, Austin followed my lead, and we were soon sitting. Penny bounded over before I started to speak, dropping a stick she'd picked up along the way. The stick then went flying through the air, courtesy of Austin's strong arm.

"Actually," I finally said, "as well as being honest with you, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

I angled myself toward him a little. The shade of the tree we sat under cast half his face in shadow. The only light spilled through the leaves, dancing across his skin. He really was a gorgeous man. "The two of us spending time with each other, is that going to be a problem at work for you or for me?" My gaze roamed his face, returning to his eyes as I spoke, waiting for his reaction and his response.

While I had little experience with relationships, I had enough common sense to know that it was important to be clear and ensure we were on the same page. There was still a possibility that my attraction to him was completely one-sided. But I had to know, so I didn't mess this up, especially considering the precarious balance of our positions at work.

Understanding registered on his face almost immediately. His gaze softened as his eyes connected with mine.

"I'm going to be honest. I'm attracted to you," he admitted, much to my surprise and relief. A bubble of anticipation flickered through me. "But that doesn't mean I have any expectations. We barely know each other, but from what I've seen and do know, I'd like to change that and spend more time with you." He paused, though appeared unfinished. Not sure if he was waiting for a reaction from me or not, I went ahead and smiled at him in encouragement, allowing him to finish off.

"I'm an openly gay man at work… in this community. With that in mind, I have to be extra careful about how I conduct my private life." He shrugged, and I nodded, completely understanding his situation. "It means I wouldn't want to be public in town or at school until I was sure about where a relationship was going, so discretion would be essential but absolutely not forever." His eyes remained glued to mine. "There are no rules beyond discretion and appropriate professional behavior at work."

A relieved exhale spilled out of me.

While I had the hots for Austin, I wasn't sure starting something with the man beyond forming a friendship was worth the risk. A week of knowing the guy wasn't enough to make me lose this amazing opportunity to finally get my career on track.

"And how about you?" he asked. Austin had been remarkably at ease when he'd explained his position, but as soon as he asked his question, his shoulders stiffened a little .

"Well," I started, my lips lifting, "I'm going to be honest that I'm attracted to you too."

The flash of his white teeth as he grinned made my heartbeat pick up speed.

"I'd also like to take a drive with you this weekend and get to know you better. Discretion, I can totally get behind. Kirkby is a damn sight smaller than this town, so I know all too well how the rumor mill works."

Austin's chest lifted and dropped, his shoulders easing as he rubbed Penny's ears now she was back with her stick. "I'd like that too," he said.

A quick glance in the direction of a parking lot showed a woman with her dog about to enter. Austin stood. "You good to keep walking the loop?"

"Definitely," I answered, picking up Penny's stick and throwing it for her.

She raced to get it, skidding to a stop as soon as her paws were almost on top of the wood. As Penny angled to grab it, the gate clanged shut, dragging Penny's attention away. Her ears twitched, and a moment later, she charged toward the newcomers.

"Is she okay to do that?"

Austin laughed. "Yeah. It's Matilda and her dog, Sammy. They're good friends." And he was absolutely right. The dogs greeted each other with familiarity and lots of butt sniffing. Austin lifted his hand and waved at Matilda, who waved back. She made a beeline for a bench, and as soon as she sat, she opened the paperback she'd been carrying.

Austin and I fell in step together as we continued our walk. It was refreshing to stretch my legs after spending so much time indoors all week. Not that working in the café meant a lot of time outdoors. But the spring breeze was welcome. Stretching my legs and the steady pace we kept felt great.

Exercise and I weren't exactly friends, but walking around a park, throwing the occasional stick to a cute dog, this I could get on board with.

"What are your plans for the rest of the night?" Austin asked.

"After ice cream— Shit, what time is it?" I'd promised to catch up with Ian tonight as soon as he got off from work. After my full-on week and my head still spinning from Austin's declaration that he was attracted to me, which honestly, I hadn't fully processed yet, the call had completely slipped my mind.

A flick of his wrist and Austin answered, "Twenty past five." Furrowed brows appeared before he asked, "Everything okay?"

I heaved a sigh in relief. "Yes, all good. I just had a date to call Ian once he got off from work."

Austin's brows dipped even lower, and immediately, my eyes sprang wide. "Not that sort of date. Ian's a close friend. He's an ER nurse in the city, so between his schedule and my new position, we keep missing each other, and I promised we'd touch base tonight." I still had a fair journey to get home, and unfortunately, no Bluetooth in my car to make that call safely en route.

His frown evened out, a smile tugging at his lips. "I get it. Schedules can be tricky things. It's okay if we need to raincheck on ice cream. Maybe we can do that tomorrow?"

I gave him a grateful smile. "That would be great, thank you."

"All good. Let's wrangle Penny and get you back to your car so you can get yourself home."

There was no drama, no complaining about the change in plans. His reaction jumped my liking of Austin up even higher. Those notches were going to be scarily at the highest they could be if he continued this way. The thought had my heart flipping.

"Thanks," I said, as he called Penny over and we returned to Austin's truck.