LITMIR.BIZ

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      “You will?”

      “I had a feeling Terrance was lying.”

      “You did?”

      Kenyon ate a curly fry. “Yeah.”

      “I’m sorry about all of this. It’s my fault. I should have waited until all the kids went inside before I confronted him.”

      “I don’t blame you. I should be the one apologizing. Terrance hasn’t been the same since my brother died, but there’s no excuse for what he did.”

      “Death is hard for kids to cope with. I was a teenager when my mom passed and it almost destroyed me. I was angry at the world but instead of lashing out at others, which I suspect Terrance is doing, I ate. I used food to fill the emptiness I was feeling inside.”

      “But at least you weren’t hurting anybody.”

      “I was hurting myself.” She toyed with her purse straps. “When I graduated from high school, I was almost two hundred pounds!”

      “No way.” Kenyon took in her appearance. He liked her jeans-and-blazer look. It was simple, pretty, casual. Kay had the face of an angel, a long, slender neck and eye-catching curves. It was hard to believe she had once been a candidate for an extreme makeover.

      “Believe it. I have the pictures to prove it.”

      “I’d like to see them sometime.”

      Makayla looked away. She didn’t know what had possessed her to tell Kenyon about her past. If she wasn’t careful, she would jog his memory and he’d remember who she was. It was unlikely, but stranger things had happened. “I should get going.”

      “I’ll walk you out.”

      “No, you’re not finished eating.”

      She was right. He hadn’t even tasted his cheeseburger yet. “Thanks for coming by. I’m sure Terrance will love the gift.”

      “It’s the least I can do.” Makayla could talk to Kenyon for hours. He was a good listener, understanding, and he didn’t judge her. She didn’t want to leave, but fear of seeing Veronika again pushed her to her feet. Dangling her keys between her fingers, she lifted her head and met his smile. “I guess that’s it then.”

      “I guess so.”

      Kenyon concentrated on his burger. There couldn’t be a worse time to put the moves on her. His nephew had blackened her name and there was a good chance she could lose her job. “I’ll be in touch,” he called, as she made her way through the cafeteria. Her jeans hugged the curves of her butt and her leather boots added several inches to her height. Kay was sexy in a natural, unprofessed way. His gaze followed her through the cafeteria doors and into the parking lot. Soon, she disappeared among the rows of emergency vehicles and police cruisers.

      Kenyon finished his burger. Getting the truth out of Terrance wouldn’t be easy. He had inherited his mother’s stubbornness and even at the best of times, he couldn’t be reasoned with. Glancing at his watch, he wondered if it was too late to call and set up a meeting with Principal Gibson. The sooner this situation was cleared up, the better. Standing, he collected his garbage and then dumped it into the trash bin.

      As he got on the elevator, he couldn’t help wondering who was waiting for Kay at home. She wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t in a serious relationship. There was only one way to find out for sure. After he got the truth out of Terrance, they would pay Kay a visit at home. A bouquet of flowers and a small gift were sure to soothe her feelings. And once everything was sorted out, he would make his move.

      Chapter 5

      When Makayla arrived at school on Monday morning, Principal Gibson was waiting in her classroom. He greeted her warmly, said he was happy to see her and shared the details of his Friday-afternoon meeting with Terrance and his mother.

      “I knew that boy was lying, Makayla. You wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Chuckling good-naturedly, he plopped down on the edge of her desk. “I suggested the boy be transferred to another class, but Mrs. Blake wouldn’t hear of it.”

      Makayla shrugged off her coat. “But I made it very clear I didn’t want Terrance to remain in my class.”

      “I know, but his mother made a stronger argument for why he should stay. He’d have to start over in a new class, he’d be separated from his friends and he’s a strong student. You said so yourself.”

      Makayla couldn’t think of a single student who considered Terrance a friend.

      “Just so you know,” Principal Gibson continued, “I let Terrance have it. I told him if he ever pulls a stunt like that again, he’ll be asked to leave our school.”

      Makayla found that hard to believe. Mr. Gibson practically slobbered all over himself whenever Veronika was around, so she seriously doubted he had reprimanded Terrance in her presence. Rather than argue with her boss, she said, “I appreciate that, Mr. Gibson.”

      “Mrs. Blake was concerned you might penalize Terrance for the stunt he pulled, but I assured her that wouldn’t be an issue. You’re a professional and what happened last week is in the past.” He smiled softly. “Terrance has a lot to deal with. You know, with his father’s passing and all.”

      Makayla nodded. “I recently became aware of the situation.”

      “Maybe you could cut the boy some slack when he’s out of line.”

      She’d tried being extra patient with Terrance, knowing he deserved understanding and sympathy. But the next time he hit a classmate or swiped something off her desk, she would demand he be transferred. Principal Gibson was extending his support, but Makayla had a feeling when push came to shove, he’d relent again. Mrs. Blake was very convincing, and Makayla’s boss was easily swayed. At least where Veronika was concerned.

      Makayla thanked Mr. Gibson for coming. When he left, she walked over to the window and stared outside. As she admired the soft, mellow light of the sun, her thoughts turned to her meeting with Brenda Van Buren. It wouldn’t be long before a position in the travel department opened up at The Philadelphia Blaze. For now, she would pen her weekly column as Lady Sexpot and hone her writing skills. But when the opportunity presented itself, she would have no problems resigning and packing a suitcase for Rome. Or Singapore. Or Barbados. It didn’t matter what the assignment was. As long as she was doing what she loved, she’d be happy.

      A week after the incident on the playground, Veronika showed up in the middle of the afternoon, with cake, ice cream and soda. When she announced that it was Terrance’s birthday and she wanted him to celebrate with his friends, Makayla slapped a smile on her face, told the kids to put away their math books and donned one of the glittery party hats. She’d hoped to review the subtraction lesson with the class before tomorrow’s test but by the time they finished cleaning up after the cake, there were only ten minutes left in the day.

      Makayla kept at least three kids between herself and Veronika all afternoon. It annoyed her no end that her desk was used to cut cake and dish out ice cream, but she kept her mouth shut. One run-in with Veronika was enough. Makayla was walking around the room, collecting garbage and wiping down desks, when Mrs. Blake called her name. “Where is the class going on Wednesday?” she asked from behind the lens of her digital camera.

      “We’re going to the zoo to observe the plants and animals in their natural habitat. It’s an opportunity for the students to—”

      “Do you still need volunteers?”

      The thought of spending an entire day with Veronika made Makayla shudder. “Extra volunteers are always welcome.” She injected her voice with a kindness she didn’t feel. “Are you available on Wednesday from nine to two?”

      “No, but my brother-in-law said he’d be happy to go.”

      “Great.”

      Veronika

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