In My Heart: a sweetbriar hearts novel

by Everly, Nora

  “Hi Bella, you remember me and Violet, right?” She nodded through her tears. “Yay! Do you remember that we’re both super nice, and extra awesome?” I teased with a big smile. She looked up at me and returned a tiny smile. “You’ll be fine today. I know that your mom is going to pick you up right after school, and you can tell her all about how much fun you had on your first day of kindergarten.” She took a deep breath and nodded. Violet waved her over to her table. Jude mouthed ‘thank you’ at me, then followed them.

  It went on from there, kids arrived, Violet and I gave greetings and introductions, the little tables filled up—but no sign of Trevor. I was a jumble of nerves. I just wanted to get the part where I had to see him over with, so I could go on with my day.

  I heard him before I saw him. His voice was a trigger, popping him back up to fill my thoughts, only this time all the memories popped up too. Trevor and I had been long distance. We built most of our relationship over the phone—as in every night before bed, plus here and there throughout our days—for a little over three months. We’d never even kissed, and sadly, it was the best relationship I’d ever had. What did that say about me? Pathetic, that’s what it said.

  Violet bustled around the room, talking to parents and helping kids write their names. I had to suck it up. Tamping my feelings down, I headed to the door to greet Madison and Trevor. “Hi, Madison, are you excited for your first day of kindergarten?” I asked with a big, partially fake smile.

  I briefly glanced up at Trevor and he smiled at me. Damn, but he looked edible. Tall and strong, lean muscles on glorious display in the black polo shirt that stretched over his broad chest. His green eyes twinkled at me and that gorgeous smile weakened my resolve to never speak to him again.

  I shook my head slightly. Quit it Rose, you’re at work, look away.

  I refocused on Madison, who clung to Trevor’s hand with fear in her expression and a trembling chin. As her big blue eyes filled with tears, I forgot all about Trevor and lost my nervous jitters.

  I knelt in front of her. “We’re going to have a great day Madison. We’ll sing songs and color pictures. We’ll play outside and go for a walk around the school, so you will know where everything is. I promise to teach you everything you need to know about being a kindergartner, then you can go home and tell your dad all about it.” I held my hand out to her, she shook it with a shy smile. Yes!

  I stood up, slipping a bit on the carpet. Trevor held my elbow to steady me.

  “Thank you,” I whispered, as the electricity from his touch zoomed through my body. Damn it, no sexy electricity allowed. Trevor was like catnip, and I was the stupid cat.

  “You’re welcome, Rosalie.” he said, not letting me go. He studied my face while I squirmed under his observation. I guess I hadn’t tamped my feelings down far enough. Who was I kidding? I had so many unresolved feelings for Trevor, that I would have to turn my heart into a landfill to bury them all.

  Violet called to Madison and waved to her from her table. She looked up at Trevor, who nodded encouragingly. Madison headed over to Violet and sat down.

  “You haven’t been taking my calls,” He said softly, once she was out of earshot. No way I was taking his calls. Trevor was irresistible over the phone; his deep, smoky voice did things to me. Things too inappropriate to be thinking about here.

  I sighed, frustrated and confused by my lingering feelings for him. “I’ve been busy. Getting ready for the school year to start. I’m sorry,” I murmured.

  “I’ll call you tonight. Will you answer?”

  I shook my head as his deep voice washed over me. I shivered, damn him and his hotness.

  “I know I hurt you. It hurt me too, Rose. But we could have another chance together. Please, can we try again?” he whispered intently, gorgeous eyes burning into mine, drawing me in. I had to look away from that eyeball tractor beam, lest I end up head first in the garbage again.

  “I can’t do this right now.” He looked like he wanted to argue. “You can call me tomorrow night,” I said to placate him and get him to go away so I could attempt to have a normal day.

  “Okay, tomorrow then. I’m going to say goodbye to Madison.” Violet had switched name tags and moved her to sit by Bella. I had found that little girls that started the school year out crying, always ended up as friends at some point. I shot Violet a thumbs up.

  I pulled myself together. I had until tomorrow to come up with something to say to him. Avoiding him wasn’t going to work anymore. He wasn’t giving up on this, that was clear. He bent down to hug Madison, then kissed her cheek. She beamed up at him as he tugged one of her pigtails, straightening the corkscrew curl. And…he just got hotter.

  Why did I still have to want him so badly?

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  About the Author

  Nora Everly is a lifelong bookworm. She started reading the good stuff once she grew tall enough to sneak the romance novels off the top of her mother’s bookshelf and it has been non-stop ever since.

  Once upon a time she was a substitute teacher and an educational assistant. Now she’s a writer and stay at home mom to two small humans and one fat cat.

  Nora lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family and her overactive imagination.

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