More Than This (23 page)
Authors: Shannyn Schroeder
Indy was wrong. Ryan confirmed it. He was okay with her participating in speed dating.
Furthermore, he’d told her not to give up on her adventures. He’s a guy. Guys do casual.
Furthermore, he’d told her not to give up on her adventures. He’s a guy. Guys do casual.
Her speed walk back to her loft left her breathless. The sun beat on her head, and
beads of sweat made her scalp itch. It was almost eleven. The morning summer-school
session would be over soon. If she wanted to catch Ackerman and Carlson, she’d have
to move fast.
beads of sweat made her scalp itch. It was almost eleven. The morning summer-school
session would be over soon. If she wanted to catch Ackerman and Carlson, she’d have
to move fast.
She looked down at her clothes. The clothes she’d slept in.
God, I let Ryan and Xander see me like this
. She needed something more appropriate for school. Although, Carlson would definitely
get the impression she was on vacation if she walked in like this.
God, I let Ryan and Xander see me like this
. She needed something more appropriate for school. Although, Carlson would definitely
get the impression she was on vacation if she walked in like this.
No, she couldn’t do that. Vacation or not, she was a teacher when she entered the
building. She took a quick shower and dressed in a pair of cropped khakis and a loose
blouse. She had to make some concessions to the heat.
building. She took a quick shower and dressed in a pair of cropped khakis and a loose
blouse. She had to make some concessions to the heat.
Within thirty minutes, she parked in front of the school. She didn’t bother pulling
into the lot. She didn’t plan on staying long. The bell rang as she yanked the heavy
door open.
into the lot. She didn’t plan on staying long. The bell rang as she yanked the heavy
door open.
Halfway down the hall, she pushed open the door to the main office. Two standing fans
whirred and clicked as they oscillated. When the door thunked closed, Louise looked
up.
whirred and clicked as they oscillated. When the door thunked closed, Louise looked
up.
“Quinn, what the heck are you doing here? I thought you were disappearing for the
summer.” Louise was mother hen to everyone and was one of the most lovable women Quinn
knew.
summer.” Louise was mother hen to everyone and was one of the most lovable women Quinn
knew.
Quinn leaned on the counter separating the two of them. She spoke quietly. “I’ve been
summoned.”
summoned.”
Louise’s mouth made an “O” and she added, “I didn’t think it was that bad.” She picked
up her phone. “I’ll let him know you’re here.”
up her phone. “I’ll let him know you’re here.”
While Louise buzzed Carlson, Quinn checked and cleared her mailbox. Catalogs and junk
mail cluttered the box. Mixed in the middle of the mess was a plain white envelope
with
“Ms. Adams”
scrawled on the front. She hadn’t brought her purse, so she folded the envelope and
tucked it into her pocket. The rest went into the recycle bin.
mail cluttered the box. Mixed in the middle of the mess was a plain white envelope
with
“Ms. Adams”
scrawled on the front. She hadn’t brought her purse, so she folded the envelope and
tucked it into her pocket. The rest went into the recycle bin.
“You can go in now,” Louise called.
“Thanks, Louise. How’s it going this summer?”
“Same old.”
The corner of Quinn’s mouth lifted. She eased around the counter to the back office.
She tapped on Carlson’s closed door to announce herself and pushed it open.
She tapped on Carlson’s closed door to announce herself and pushed it open.
Mr. Carlson sat behind his desk. Quinn’s first thought was always what an imposing
man he was. His body completely filled the leather desk chair, and she knew he stood
a foot taller than her. His head was bald, the dark brown skin smooth and shiny. When
she entered, his thick lips parted and white teeth gleamed.
man he was. His body completely filled the leather desk chair, and she knew he stood
a foot taller than her. His head was bald, the dark brown skin smooth and shiny. When
she entered, his thick lips parted and white teeth gleamed.
“Quinn, I’m glad you could make it. Have a seat.” He pointed to the chair directly
in front of him.
in front of him.
“Hi, Mr. Carlson. What’s going on?” She pulled her keys from her pocket so they wouldn’t
jab her thigh when she sat.
jab her thigh when she sat.
“Did you get my message about Shari?”
Quinn crossed her legs and clasped her hands in her lap. “Yes, but I’m not sure I
understood it.”
understood it.”
He took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair, locking his hands behind his head.
“She’s struggling. Discipline is an issue, and she feels swamped.”
“She’s struggling. Discipline is an issue, and she feels swamped.”
“I gave her all of my daily lesson plans. All she had to do was follow them. They
easily fill the three hours.” She tamped down the irritation that rose.
easily fill the three hours.” She tamped down the irritation that rose.
“It’s more than the material. It’s the caliber of students working against her inexperience.”
Quinn looked into his wide brown eyes.
I was inexperienced once too. No one handed me anything. I had to figure it out.
The nasty thought fought its way to her lips. Instead, she asked, “What do you want
from me?”
I was inexperienced once too. No one handed me anything. I had to figure it out.
The nasty thought fought its way to her lips. Instead, she asked, “What do you want
from me?”
He leaned forward and put his elbows back on his desk. “Talk to her. Give her words
of encouragement. Maybe observe her and offer some tips.”
of encouragement. Maybe observe her and offer some tips.”
Quinn raised her eyebrows at the last statement. She was all for being a team player,
but she wouldn’t work for free.
but she wouldn’t work for free.
“Spend a day or two with her and I’ll give you comp time.”
Quinn smiled. “I thought comp time was a big no-no these days with the board.”
“We’ll figure it out. I think Shari’s still here. Do you have time to talk to her
now?”
now?”
She nodded. Shari Ackerman wasn’t her favorite person. She didn’t dislike her. They
were different, especially in the way they taught. Quinn wasn’t surprised Shari struggled
with her lesson plans. They were designed to suit Quinn’s teaching style. Shari wasn’t
adept enough to know how to pick and choose and adapt what would work for her.
were different, especially in the way they taught. Quinn wasn’t surprised Shari struggled
with her lesson plans. They were designed to suit Quinn’s teaching style. Shari wasn’t
adept enough to know how to pick and choose and adapt what would work for her.
Quinn grabbed her keys and headed to the classroom to make the rescue she swore she
wouldn’t.
wouldn’t.
CHAPTER 15
Q
uinn tossed her keys on her side table inside her door and took a moment to absorb
the silence. She couldn’t believe she’d spent five hours talking to Shari Ackerman.
uinn tossed her keys on her side table inside her door and took a moment to absorb
the silence. She couldn’t believe she’d spent five hours talking to Shari Ackerman.
She’d been able to scrounge enough change together to get a Snickers bar from the
vending machine in the lounge. She’d eaten nothing else all day and was paying for
it now. A headache throbbed behind her eyes. Food became her priority as she dragged
herself through her apartment.
vending machine in the lounge. She’d eaten nothing else all day and was paying for
it now. A headache throbbed behind her eyes. Food became her priority as she dragged
herself through her apartment.
Peanut butter and jelly sounded perfect. Too bad she didn’t have any squishy white
bread. That would be the ultimate. Instead, she sat down with PB&J on whole wheat.
Her body sighed as the comfort settled in her stomach.
bread. That would be the ultimate. Instead, she sat down with PB&J on whole wheat.
Her body sighed as the comfort settled in her stomach.
Her phone rang. Was there anyone she wanted to talk to right now? Not really.
“Hey, Quinn. It’s Brian. I hear you caved.”
Quinn snatched up the receiver. “How did you know? I just walked in the door.”
“I have my ways. I thought we agreed you weren’t going to answer your phone.”
She picked at the crust of the bread. “I didn’t. Carlson called and e-mailed. I figured
if I didn’t make an appearance, he’d never leave me alone.”
if I didn’t make an appearance, he’d never leave me alone.”
“So what happened?”
“I went to talk to Shari, see where she needed help, and ended up spending five hours
poring over lesson plans to show her how to make them work for her.”
poring over lesson plans to show her how to make them work for her.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Carlson offered comp time. When you’re slaving away on a hot September day, I’ll
be able to take the day and lounge without losing a sick day.”
Maybe take in a Cubs game.
be able to take the day and lounge without losing a sick day.”
Maybe take in a Cubs game.
“Like that’ll happen.”
“I think it might. My hooky day proved to be pretty successful.” She tossed the remaining
piece of sandwich in the trash and took a swig of water.
piece of sandwich in the trash and took a swig of water.
“How is everything else going? Find Mr. Romance yet?”
She sighed and debated telling him about Ryan. No real need to. “I’m going speed dating
tonight. Maybe I’ll have luck. Nothing else has worked quite the way I’ve wanted it
to.”
tonight. Maybe I’ll have luck. Nothing else has worked quite the way I’ve wanted it
to.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“I hope it is. I need to go get ready. I’ll call and let you know what happens.” She
disconnected and went to find something to wear.
disconnected and went to find something to wear.
She settled on a sundress similar to the one she’d worn to her photo shoot, except
this one was deep blue. Kind of matched Ryan’s eyes.
this one was deep blue. Kind of matched Ryan’s eyes.
Before tossing her clothes in the hamper, she emptied her pockets and discovered the
envelope from her mailbox. She sat on her bed in her underwear and opened it.
envelope from her mailbox. She sat on her bed in her underwear and opened it.
The writing was round and bubbly. She glanced at the signature—Tamika. Quinn had an
immediate image of a girl with pitch-black, chemically straightened hair with hot-pink
tips. She’d just completed sophomore English with Quinn last year. The girl talked
too much in class on a daily basis, but she was engaging and wrote some heart-wrenching
poetry.
immediate image of a girl with pitch-black, chemically straightened hair with hot-pink
tips. She’d just completed sophomore English with Quinn last year. The girl talked
too much in class on a daily basis, but she was engaging and wrote some heart-wrenching
poetry.
Dear Ms. Adams,
I’m in summer school to make up my freshman English class. I have Ms. Ackerman now.
I wanted to tell you that your class was the best one I had. I didn’t know it then,
but you made it easy and fun to learn. This summer I’m not sure if I’ll finish. I
wish all teachers were like you.
I wanted to tell you that your class was the best one I had. I didn’t know it then,
but you made it easy and fun to learn. This summer I’m not sure if I’ll finish. I
wish all teachers were like you.
Tamika Holmes
She didn’t need a guilt trip. Why should she feel guilty? She did her job and did
it well. Everyone deserves time off and a personal life.
it well. Everyone deserves time off and a personal life.
The facts didn’t remove the sting.
Quinn dressed quickly, applied her makeup, and fished through her closet for a light
sweater. Indy wanted to meet at O’Leary’s so she’d have her car if she got bored.
They agreed to arrive early to check everyone out.
sweater. Indy wanted to meet at O’Leary’s so she’d have her car if she got bored.
They agreed to arrive early to check everyone out.
Butterflies bounced in her stomach. She should’ve eaten more. Maybe she and Indy could
go out for a late dinner.
go out for a late dinner.
Quinn entered the bar and was surprised to see it looked no different. Tuesday nights
were not big for bar hopping, so the crowd was light. She started to wend her way
around tables when she was tapped on her shoulder.
were not big for bar hopping, so the crowd was light. She started to wend her way
around tables when she was tapped on her shoulder.
She spun around to see Indy. “Hey, you just get here?”
“Yeah,” Indy responded. “Let’s get a seat and do reconnaissance.”
“You seem suddenly excited.”
Indy looped her arm through Quinn’s. “I’m trying to be supportive.”
“And?”
“And nothing. I plan to help you find the best guy here.” Indy led her to the dance
floor.
floor.
The space had been transformed. Small, square, linen-covered tables fanned out to
form two circles. Taller bar tables with stools lined the perimeter of the room.
form two circles. Taller bar tables with stools lined the perimeter of the room.
Indy chose a table with a good view of the center of the room.
Quinn scanned the room and found Mary bustling around with a clipboard. “I need to
check in.”
check in.”
Mary looked up from her list. “Hi. You’re Quinn, right?”
Quinn nodded, hating that her fight with Ryan had left a lasting impression.
Mary handed her a sticker name tag, which she stuck to her dress. “We’ll start in
twenty minutes. You can get a drink while you wait.”
twenty minutes. You can get a drink while you wait.”
Quinn returned to Indy’s table. Indy had ordered a beer for herself and a Diet Coke
for Quinn.
for Quinn.
“Thanks. I can’t drink tonight. I’ve hardly eaten today.” She slid up onto the stool.
“These past two days have been the longest in my memory. I don’t know if I can even
focus on this.”
“These past two days have been the longest in my memory. I don’t know if I can even
focus on this.”
“What happened today?”
Quinn told her about Ryan and Xander, and spending the afternoon with Shari Ackerman.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Indy asked.
“Do what?”
“This,” she said, pointing to the smaller tables.
“I guess. I can’t back out now.”
“I think you can. Walk straight back to Ryan’s office and plant a big sloppy kiss
on him.” Indy turned her bottle in her hands. “I’ll take your place in the datefest.”
on him.” Indy turned her bottle in her hands. “I’ll take your place in the datefest.”
“What?” Indy either really wanted her to be with Ryan or she really wanted to find
someone new.
someone new.
Indy’s eyes met hers. “He took care of you today. If it was just sex between you,
he wouldn’t have gone to the photographer.”
he wouldn’t have gone to the photographer.”
“He did it because he cares about me as a friend. I’m not discussing this anymore.
I thought you were being supportive.” Quinn twirled her seat around. “Who looks interesting?”
I thought you were being supportive.” Quinn twirled her seat around. “Who looks interesting?”
People milled around, drinks in hand. Participants and their guests clustered together
in hushed conversations, conducting recon like Indy.
in hushed conversations, conducting recon like Indy.
“Look at the one at two o’clock. He’s tall and good-looking. He’s smiling but doesn’t
look cocky.”
look cocky.”
Quinn’s gaze moved to the man in question. “He’s wearing a suit and he’s got to be
pushing fifty.”
pushing fifty.”
“So? Maybe he came from work. Having a job is a bonus.”
“He’s too old.” She twirled her straw in her drink.
“What about him? Straight behind you. Don’t turn too fast. He’s too short for me,
but height doesn’t matter to you.”
but height doesn’t matter to you.”
Quinn slowly spun her seat with her glass in hand. She saw the man Indy indicated.
He was less than six feet, which was short in Indy’s eyes. He wore Dockers and a navy
button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. “He’s not wearing a name tag.”
He was less than six feet, which was short in Indy’s eyes. He wore Dockers and a navy
button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. “He’s not wearing a name tag.”
“So?”
“He’s a friend, not a speed dater.” Quinn tapped her own name tag as she turned back
to Indy.
to Indy.
Indy continued to scan the room. Quinn’s eyes watched a small group of men enter.
Two went to see Mary; two found a table behind Indy. When the two received their name
tags, they turned to find their friends. Quinn followed one with her eyes.
Two went to see Mary; two found a table behind Indy. When the two received their name
tags, they turned to find their friends. Quinn followed one with her eyes.
“Find someone interesting?”
“No, this guy looks familiar.”
Indy shifted her position. “He’s kind of young for you, isn’t he?”
“Yes. He’s cute, I guess, but I swear I know him from somewhere.”
Mary tapped the microphone on the stage. “Hello, everyone. Can I please have your
attention? Welcome to O’Leary’s Speed Dating. I need all of our female participants
to come forward and take a seat in one of our two inner circles.”
attention? Welcome to O’Leary’s Speed Dating. I need all of our female participants
to come forward and take a seat in one of our two inner circles.”
Quinn stood, as did a bunch of other women.
Indy touched her shoulder. “Get a seat on this side, so I can see.”
As the women took their seats, Mary gathered the men at the other side of the room.
They were at her back, so Quinn couldn’t see anyone. She focused on the friends of
the guy she thought she knew. None of them looked familiar. She refocused on the table
in front of her. A small pad of paper and a pen sat on each side of the table. Mary
had thought ahead, giving participants paper to exchange numbers. A long metal stem
sat in the middle of the table with a plastic card sticking out of the top. She sat
at table five.
They were at her back, so Quinn couldn’t see anyone. She focused on the friends of
the guy she thought she knew. None of them looked familiar. She refocused on the table
in front of her. A small pad of paper and a pen sat on each side of the table. Mary
had thought ahead, giving participants paper to exchange numbers. A long metal stem
sat in the middle of the table with a plastic card sticking out of the top. She sat
at table five.
Mary entered Quinn’s line of sight with the men following her. Each man had a number
below his name. Before she led the line all the way around the table, Mary brought
the microphone back to her face. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are ready to start. I will
lead the men to the table corresponding to the number on their tags. The numbers are
arbitrary, a way for us to have a starting point. I will lead the line around to show
the men the path they will take as they maneuver around the tables. Please wait for
my signal before you take your seat to begin.”
below his name. Before she led the line all the way around the table, Mary brought
the microphone back to her face. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are ready to start. I will
lead the men to the table corresponding to the number on their tags. The numbers are
arbitrary, a way for us to have a starting point. I will lead the line around to show
the men the path they will take as they maneuver around the tables. Please wait for
my signal before you take your seat to begin.”
She moved around Quinn’s table and the men followed like a line of preschoolers on
a field trip. In a moment, Quinn had the tall man with a suit in front of her table.
a field trip. In a moment, Quinn had the tall man with a suit in front of her table.
Mary’s voice echoed around them. “Men, take your seats. When you hear the bell, you
will move one space to the right.”
Ding.
will move one space to the right.”
Ding.
The man pulled the chair out in front of him, but extended his hand before sitting.
“Hi, I’m John.”
“Hi, I’m John.”
“Hi, I’m Quinn.”
He sat in the chair and immediately began firing questions at Quinn. “What do you
do for a living?”
do for a living?”
“I’m a teacher. How about you?”
“Lawyer. Where do you live?”
“Here in the city.”
“How long did your last relationship last?”
The question shook her. Nothing like diving right in to the nitty-gritty. “I was married
for three years.”
for three years.”
His brows crinkled. “Kids?”
Quinn shook her head.
“How long have you been divorced?”
“Five years.” All of her preparation the day before with Indy went out the window.
This guy talked fast and plowed ahead without giving her a chance. She began to pray
for the bell. Three minutes was longer than she thought. Luckily, she didn’t have
to think anymore. John began telling her about his life. He droned on for a full minute.
This guy talked fast and plowed ahead without giving her a chance. She began to pray
for the bell. Three minutes was longer than she thought. Luckily, she didn’t have
to think anymore. John began telling her about his life. He droned on for a full minute.
Ding.
He stood. “It was nice to meet you.”
“You too.” Her eyes wandered briefly to Indy. Indy shrugged.
The next man slid comfortably into the seat. Quinn’s eyes moved back to find Griffin
sitting across from her. She couldn’t stop the smile. “Hi, Griffin. It’s nice to see
you again.”
sitting across from her. She couldn’t stop the smile. “Hi, Griffin. It’s nice to see
you again.”
“Yeah, you too. How are you feeling? Last time I saw you, you weren’t doing too well.”
“About that . . . thank you for everything.”
“Everything? Something happen I don’t remember?”
“You bought me drinks and food and let me lean on you.”
“I figured it was the least I could do since I bought the drinks that got you drunk.”
She shrugged.
“Why are you here tonight? I didn’t expect you.”
“Mary asked me to step in. She was short a couple of guys.”
Quinn leaned forward. “So you’re not really on the hunt? Many, many women will be
disappointed.”
disappointed.”
He leaned farther back in his chair. “I hear you’re going to New Orleans this summer.”
She nodded. “That’s the plan. Ryan said I should tap you for good places to go.”
“Give me a call. I love New Orleans.”
“Actually, I have another question for you. What’s a great, expensive restaurant?”
“Why ask me?”
She cocked her head to the side and whispered, “Because you’re rich.”
“How expensive?”
“The best.” She quickly added, “Without making me mortgage my house.”
“Foreign cuisine?”
She shook her head. “I’m simple.”
He leaned forward on the table so they were nearly nose-to-nose. “There’s nothing
simple about you.”
simple about you.”
What had Ryan told him? Her entire life was simple, but she didn’t think arguing would
be a good use of time. He inched away and began naming restaurants.
be a good use of time. He inched away and began naming restaurants.
Quinn scribbled notes frantically even as the bell rang. Griffin stood.
“See ya later, Quinn.”
“Uh-huh.” She didn’t look up from the pad of paper.
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