by Lia London
He shifted ever so slightly and their arms touched. Heat rushed up her limb and dove into her gut, stirring up a few butterflies and at least a pigeon or two. Welded inexplicably in position, Nikki watched the previews for five movies, none of which looked good. A romantic comedy trailer came on featuring a football coach.
Laughing weakly, she grabbed at her Dr. Pepper, breaking the contact and feeling a chill. “They’re making movies about you, huh?” she quipped.
He let out a throaty chuckle as the couple on screen kissed passionately. “I wish.” His eyes locked with hers, and she felt like mercury rising in a thermometer. She stuffed more popcorn in her mouth, gluing her gaze back on the big screen.
Nikki watched the opening scenes of the movie, unseeing, for the most part. Except that the leading man looked too much like Will, and was very charming, and…distracting. Her brain worked on overdrive, revisiting her rotten day, her past dating blunders, Will’s good and bad moments, and oddly, her mother warning her never to put herself willingly in a tempting situation. Mom gave me good advice? Guilt dropped her gaze downward. In the flickering light, she saw her left hand, ring and all, resting on the popcorn bag.
Sometime half way through, she leaned back and felt Will’s arm there. She paused for only a second before deciding he’d put it there to be comfortable since she wasn’t using the space. The leading man continued to be brilliant and funny, and Nikki gradually relaxed and let herself enjoy the movie. When the scene with the waffles flying off the conveyer belt came, she rocked with laughter, feeling light again.
At last the credits rolled. Will didn’t move. He tapped her popcorn bag and mimicked the lead character. “You want syrup on that?”
Grinning, Nikki watched as the other moviegoers wandered out, animatedly discussing the film and slurping the last of their soda. She didn’t answer, savoring a moment of freedom.
“You all right?” Will shifted so that his arm was no longer behind her.
“Hmm?” She straightened in the seat, the romantic rush from the movie’s finale starting to fade. “Oh, yeah. Should we go?”
He inched closer. “Do you want to?” His voice said, Stay!
“I…um.” Red alert! Red alert! Gorgeous man coming in for a kiss!
With one hand, Will brushed her hair back, and with the other, he lifted her chin gently. The effect electrified her, and she closed her eyes and let it happen. He kissed her softly at first, but when she opened her mouth to breathe, his tongue slipped in and began exploring, coaxing. Wow, he’s good at this! She responded instinctively, and soon her arms wrapped around his neck as if of their own volition. Will’s hands moved up and down her back, pressing her closer to him, and a surge of excitement filled her. She felt his fingers on the bare skin of her lower back where her sweater slid up, and a thrilling tickle urged a giggle from her lips. His hand rose higher up, and his thumb slid around to touch—
“Whoah!” She pushed him back, pulling her sweater down and crossing her arms protectively over her chest. “Time out, Coach.” Gasping for breath, now with embarrassment instead of passion, she gathered her purse.
“Wait, Nikki. I’m sorry!” He kissed her cheek, her jaw line, her neck, even as she resisted reluctantly. “I didn’t mean to.”
Nikki almost relented—it was so sensuous, so—she pushed him away. “I think you knew exactly what you were doing.” She stood to go, wishing she’d been strong enough to resist him in the first place.
“Unnecessary roughness, Nikki.” He pulled her gently back down to sit. “I’m sorry. It’s just that…You’re so different from all the other women around.”
“Right.” She felt flattered and cheap and attracted and repulsed all at the same time. This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. “I’m sorry, Will. This shouldn’t have happened.” She turned and walked down the aisle, glancing back at the projection booth to see a man sitting in the back row by himself.
Will stood to follow her and his phone rang. “What the—?” He fumbled in his pocket to retrieve and silence it, but in the dark, he swiped the wrong way and answered it.
“Hey, lover! Are we still on for tonight?”
Even standing several feet away, Nikki knew the piercing voice. Nyman?!
“Uh, hi, Liz,” said Will awkwardly. “I really can’t talk now.”
“But I thought you’d be here by now! I’ve got on your favorite red negligee. Come on, lover. Don’t keep me waiting.”
Will looked up at Nikki, obviously horrified.
“Go.” Nikki simmered. “You don’t want to miss your hot date.” I guess I was just the warm-up. She turned and stormed out as the man in the back row stood up. He had a Riverview High baseball cap on, and she groaned in recognition.
Officer Ross!
24~The Best Policy
Nikki ran red-faced into the parking lot before remembering that Will had been her ride. Stranded in Eastmont during prime movie hours. Could this day get any worse? And all my papers are in his car! She rummaged in her purse for her phone. With blurry eyes, she punched the speed dial. “Come on, Janna. Answer!”
“You’ve reached Janna’s cell phone. I’m probably parked between the cushions of her couch or lost under the seat in her car. Don’t worry. She’ll find me next week and call you back.” Beeeeep!
“Shaboobaloo!” Nikki stomped her foot and tried to think of who else to call for a ride home.
“Lose your pumpkin carriage, Cinderella?”
Nikki turned pained eyes on Ross. No! Not you! Humiliated, she started walking towards the street.
“Hey, wait up!” He trotted after her.
When he caught up with her, she spun and faced him. “You must think I’m the worst character around.”
“What? Why would I—?”
She choked back a sob. “I mean, you’re a cop! You uphold the law and goodness and everything. You watch Gilligan’s Island, for crying out loud!”
Ross rested his hand gently on her shoulder. “Yes, I do.”
“You do?” She wailed.
He caught himself. “I mean I watch Gilligan’s Island. I don’t think you’re the worst character around.”
She sagged back against a lamp post, her face in her hands. “But I am the worst. A married woman having an affair…”
“That only works if you’re married.”
Nikki froze. Did I just hear him right? She peeked out between fingers. “You knew?”
He smiled with his eyes. “Since the first day.”
“Wait, but how?” She stood up straight and looked at him in confusion.
“No ring. I looked that first day. Believe me, I looked.” His expression showed a shy longing, and Nikki felt as if her tears evaporated.
“I could have forgotten it… lost it.” She fluttered her fingers. “See? I found it.”
He caught her hand tenderly and ran his thumb over the ring. “There’s also the background security check they run on you when you’re hired. You indicated single on that. And, as campus cop, I was privy to that information.” Her mouth gaped open even as he winked.
Is the world spinning? “You knew? You knew all along?” She pulled her hand away reluctantly to hold on to the lamp post. Dizzy with emotions, she rested her forehead on the post. “You knew all along and never let on? How could you do that to me? How could you lie…?” She covered her mouth, her face contorting with shame. “I lied to you. I’m terrible. I lied to you over and over!” She closed her eyes. “And I’m terrible at lying.”
“Yeah, you kind of are.” Ross grinned. “That’s a good thing.” He stuffed his hands in his jacket pocket and moved into her line of sight. “I figured you had a good reason.”
“I did.”
“Coach Carlin.”
“Right.” She rolled her eyes. “But then I didn’t follow through.”
“He just kissed you.”
Ross leaned on the post with his shoulder, and Nikki resisted the urge to grab onto him instead.
“But
I let him kiss me. I didn’t even really want him to, but…”
“Maybe you needed to be kissed.”
Nikki stared out over the parking lot. He knew. All those times I talked about my imaginary husband Mike, and he never said anything. He just listened. “I’m so sorry I lied to you. I feel even worse about that than kissing Will.”
“I’ll forget both if you will, too.”
Nikki finally met his eyes unguarded now. There was no mistaking the kindness, the sincerity. “I told you all about him, and he’s not real. I described him in so much detail.” She fell silent. When she spoke again, her voice was quiet and raw. “I wanted him to be real. I wanted someone that good to love me like that.”
“He could be real.”
Nikki’s heart skipped, but she wiped her eyes, scowling at the amount of make-up that came off on her fingers. “I look a mess. Arrest me for impersonating a human being, Officer.”
“No, I’m off duty now.”
“Ah, so I can call you just plain Ross now.”
“Or you could call me by my first name.”
Nikki stared at him. “Ross isn’t your first name?”
“Nope.”
“I thought it was one of those ‘friendly authority’ things, like Teacher Nikki or Helper Joe.”
“Nope.”
She folded her arms. “Well, are you going to tell me your first name, or do I have to look up your background check records?”
He laughed, the warm sound rolling through Nikki. He barely suppressed a smile, his eyes glistening. “My name is Mike.”
“Mike.” The dizziness faded, and something solid and secure took hold of her. “Like my Mike.”
“I hope so,” he said.
Nikki stared at him. “Your name is Mike. Like my imaginary husband.”
“Yes.” His cheek tugged the corner of his mouth upward. “I hope I live up to your imagination.”
A doubt jabbed her. “You knew all along I was single, but never made a pass.”
“That wouldn’t have been appropriate, given the circumstances you presented. I didn’t want to ruin your reputation.” He winked. “I did send the apples, though.”
“You?”
He shrugged a confession. His smile sent wriggles of joy through her.
“You’re sweet on me?”
“Apple of my eye.” He inched closer.
“And you let me give them right back to you every day?”
“I kind of hoped it meant you were sweet on me, too.”
He felt closer with every breath, and she couldn’t inhale him fast enough. This was no hormonal chemistry and cologne thing. This was… Nikki felt hope surge within her. “And if I tell the world I’m not really married?”
“Katie already knows. And Doug.”
“What?!”
“The secretary and the custodian always know everything. I’ll tell them to leak the good news of your annulment.”
Her jaw kept wanting to fall open. “Mike,” she said with disbelief. How could his name be Mike?
“Nikki,” he said, parroting her tone. His lop-sided grin shifted as he moved in closer. “Since you’re single, can I make that pass now?”
What? Oh wow, really? Nikki nodded, her mouth still hanging open in wonder. He tilted his head slightly, resting his forehead against hers, and Nikki felt as if her whole body laughed with delight. He gently took her hand, his touch sinking in like velvet. Warmth rushed through Nikki, and her eyes widened. This isn’t imaginary! She let out a tiny gasp.
“Too fast?” asked Mike Ross, pulling back with doubt in his eyes.
“Just right!” She couldn’t close her eyes. Is this really happening? Ross—Mike hovered close, his nose brushing her cheek. She tingled and quivered at his presence. Her eyes flickered up to see him looking at her. He pressed gently nearer, and then his lips touched hers, a tease, not yet a claim. She closed her eyes and grasped the sides of his face, breathing him in. He pulled her in tight and the true kiss began…
Epilogue: Seven Months Later
Robert~
Thanks for keeping me sane this year. Congrats on getting an 800 on the PSAT English portion as a freshman. Next year, you can take over my job!
Ms. F
Sammi~
You have no idea what a blessing you’ve been to me this year. Thanks for tutoring our mutual friend. He actually got a B in the class, and it’s all your doing! Be sure to keep Robert in line this summer and visit me next year between classes.
Ms. F
David~
I am so proud of you! What can I say more? Don’t be a stranger when you’re a big senior next year.
Ms. F
Josh~
You’re as nice as you are smart, Mr. Scholar Athlete Award Winner! I will definitely always remember you!
Ms. F
Adam~
Enjoy your summer and get in at least a little play time. I’ll be sure to come see you compete at the State Fair in August.
Ms. F
Justin~
I hardly recognized you this week without the facial hardware and the pink hair, but I think it looks great. Have a fantastic time working with your dad this summer. I have a feeling things are going to keep getting better for you.
Ms. F
Amanda~
You may have taught me more this year than I ever could have taught you. Thanks for giving me a second chance. You take care of yourself (and Justin, too)!
Ms. F
On the blackboard, she wrote a note that caused quite a stir:
Dear students!
I could not have asked for more awesome students during my first year of teaching. You made this a wonderful experience for me, and I hope you all know how much I love you. I also hope you won’t be too disappointed when “Ms. F” does not return to teach next year. You’ll have to call her something else…
Mrs. Ross-to-be
Will stared at the board. “That Mike Ross is a lucky man.”
Nikki glanced up from clearing out her desk drawers and smiled. “Yes, he is.”
He strode over and held out his hand, which she took and shook. “Thanks for the invite to the wedding, Nikki.”
“Of course. You’re our friend.”
Will raked his fingers through his hair. “Thanks for that, too.”
“Ancient history, Will. Forget about it.” She nudged the bottom drawer shut with her knee and stood. “Got plans for the summer?”
“Believe it or not, my ex is coming into town next week.”
“Oh?” Nikki arched a brow as she assembled the stack of things she was taking home in a cardboard box. “Do tell.”
“Turns out her pilot was seeing a few stewardesses on the side.”
“Ah.” Nikki grabbed her purse and slung it over her shoulder. “And she’s coming back down from the clouds.”
“We’ll see.” He shrugged. “We’re going to head up to the mountains for a few days and talk things through. Time has passed. We’ve both been through a bit.”
Nikki smiled, noting the changes in Will. Still attractive, still confident, but less full of swagger and smooth-talk. Maybe he’ll get back together with his wife. If she’s good enough for him. “You’ve come a long way, Will.”
He followed her out. “So what plans have you got for today? Any celebrations?”
“My brother Charlie is coming down to take Mike, Janna and me out for dinner. He just landed his dream job.”
Will sighed and bade her good-bye.
In the office, Nikki said warm good-byes to Katie as she turned in her keys.
“Thanks for the salsa!” called Mr. Geoffreys from his office door. “See you in July for the wedding.”
Katie winked up at Nikki. “I’ve got something for you.” She dug under her desk and pulled out a long tube mailer.
Studying Katie curiously, she tapped the strange gift. “Do I open it now?”
“Unless you want to wait for—oh, there he is.”
Mike Ross swe
pt up behind Nikki. He removed his hat and kissed her cheek in greeting. “What have we here?”
“Katie’s got something for me.”
“It’s for both of you. I think you should use it for your reception maybe.”
Nikki eagerly popped open the tube, and she and Mike rolled open an almost life-size poster of the two of them on Homecoming night looking like gorillas at the dance.
Mike burst out laughing. “Is it too late to change the picture we send out with the invitations?”
Nikki rolled the poster back up and bopped him on the head with it. “Given that we’ve already mailed them out, you think?”
He crossed his arms and pouted like the picture. Chuckling, Nikki slipped her fingers into the curls on either side of his head and pulled his gorilla lips into a kiss.
“No public displays of affection on campus, please,” said Katie with a nasal tone.
Mike glanced at his watch. “4:05pm—off duty! All right. We’ll take this elsewhere!” He scooped Nikki off her feet and headed towards the door. Nikki squealed and Katie laughed.
“My box of stuff!” cried Nikki, pointing back to the counter.
“I’ll bring it to the wedding, all wrapped up with a bow,” said Katie.
“Deal!”
And with that, Nikki’s exceptionally real husband-to-be carried her over the threshold of the school and off to their very own Happily Ever After.
Special Thanks
To Victorine Lieske, a fellow author, who took pity on my pitiful attempts to design a cover for this book. She created the beauty that you hold in your hands, and it actually inspired some changes to the story line that I ended up really enjoying—most significantly, the whole apple bit. (I was trying to get salsa onto the cover.)
To my beta readers, Tamie, Vicky, Cynthia, Dina, Marianne, Valerie, Debbie and Victorine, who took time during the holiday season to read the roughest draft and help me figure out the whole romantic comedy genre. They were candid and wise—and all talented writers in their own right.
To the amazing students and staff I knew back at Dallas High School in the 1990’s who inspired many of the more poignant moments in this story.
