Page 85 of Passing Notes
“You got it, Mrs. Easton.” I watched her shiver in pleasure as a huge grin spread across her face and she threw herself into my arms.
“I love you,” she declared.
“I love you too . . . Mrs. Easton.”
“Gah!” She smacked a quick kiss to my lips, and I yanked her closer and laid one on her. Because one quickly smacked kiss from my beautiful wife would never be enough for me.
“Aww, look how cute and happy they are, Weston.” Gracie snapped a picture of the two of us with her phone. “I’m going to post about the two old people we ended up on a double date to prom with.”
“Ha ha, very funny, Gracie,” Clara playfully huffed as she pulled out of my arms.
“Seriously, though. You’re beautiful, Clara,” Gracie said. “I mean, Mrs. Easton.”
“Duh, we’re both stunning tonight.” She wrapped an arm around Gracie’s shoulders. “Take our picture, Westie. This night is one for the books.”
He pulled his phone out, smiling to himself as he took their picture. Gracie and Weston had gotten back together after he’d come home from his first year of college.
A Jeep Wrangler pulled up to the curb and Ruby hopped out. “Sorry we’re late!” she hollered. “My date just got off a plane, y’all.”
“Who’s that?” I whispered to Clara as a handsome college-aged dude climbed out of the passenger seat and took Ruby’s hand with a besotted smile on his face.
She leaned in and whispered in my ear, “That, dear hubby, is Marianne’s older brother. Ruby flew him in from whatever college he goes to.”
“No shit?” A smile quirked up the corner of my mouth.
“Nope, zero shit. One must not make the mistake of underestimating that girl, a lesson Gracie and I have learned all too well over the last couple of weeks. That one plays the long game. It’s truly devious.”
“I don’t know about that. It looks like she might like him too.”
I’d never been in a limo before. This one was something else; it was too bad we were only a block away from the high school. We pulled up with a flourish. Our limo was at least twice as long as what any kid at this place could get their parents to pay for. Clara had spared no expense.
Strands of twinkling lights and streamers were wrapped on and around every available beam and structure leading the way to the gym.
We’d gone from an immaculately planned and decorated lavender field wedding only days before, to a seventies-themed disco party prom in the Green Valley High School gymnasium—and I couldn’t have been happier to be right here. Who needed a honeymoon when you could have all this?
I led my wife out to the middle of the wooden floor, directly beneath the giant rented disco ball where everyone could see us.
“Dance with me, heartbreaker.” I took her hand and twirled her in a circle beneath my arm, smiling as her delighted giggle floated in the air with the music. Hands at her waist, I pulled her close until we were face to face. “I mean, Mrs. Easton.” My god, she was gorgeous, and I was the luckiest man in the world.
“I will dance with you forever, Mr. Easton...”
Want more of the Teachers’ Lounge series? The series continues with Band Together by Piper Sheldon. Read on for a sneak peek!
If you want more Nora Everly, check out the Oh Brother! series featuring the Monroe Brothers and their swoon journey to love.
Do you love heartfelt small town romance? Then check out these other books by Smartypants Romance!
Upsy Daisy -- First love college romance with all the feels.
The One That I Want -- She's a reformed bad girl, and he's the nice guy trying to show her that it's okay to have a little fun.
Baking Me Crazy -- She's an independent tomboy and he's been in love with her for years.
No Whisk No Reward -- He's the town pariah and she's only in town for a little while, but she's determined to find out why.
Sneak Peek of Band Together by Piper Sheldon
The catchy earworm that was the early aughts smash hit by Vanessa Carlton played in my head as I was makin’ my way to downtown Green Valley, Tennessee. The sun shone brilliantly as it peeked over the tall pines of the Great Smoky Mountains; the air was fresh with late-summer sweetness, and I was on my way to the downtown location of Donner Bakery to pick up a delicious order of cakes and pies. Though the school year had just begun, I had the weekend off and plans that weren’t centered around my band students for once.