Andrew Taking my phone down the hallway, I went into the little library across from my room that I never used and closed the door behind me. “Bob,” I answered. “How are you doing?”“Swell. How are you? Haven’t heard your voice in a while.”“Yeah, things have been crazy.” I went to the window and looked down at the backyard, where the covered outside swimming pool and the dilapidated tree house I’d had built for Raven when she was five sat ignored. Maybe it was time to tear that old tree house down and build something in its place. A little studio for Raven, maybe?“Crazy never stops,” Bob answered. On his end, a phone rang. It could only be assumed he was at the office. Like me, Bob lived and breathed work. We’d known each other for years, having met at a work-related—of course—event years before. Though we often went weeks without talking, he was my closest friend. The way we could connect after days of not talking was a testament to the strength of the friendship. Though he was a

Lanie On the drive to Erica’s, my teeth wouldn’t unclench. My mom had been right about my dad’s reaction to me dating an older guy. My parents were so by-the-book, their heads would probably explode if they knew the man I was going out with was the father of one of my students. Parking at Erica’s, I found myself checking my phone, hoping there would be a text from Andrew. The screen was blank, though. We hadn’t been in touch since our conversation on the phone the day before. I found myself aching to hear his voice. I’d only seen this man twice in person, and yet I already missed him. Was that a bad sign? What if my mom was right after all? Maybe I’d gotten in over my head. Andrew probably had girls fawning over him all the time. If I continued to fall for him but didn’t meet his expectations, nothing would stop him from moving on to the next person. And there I’d be, alone. Right where I’d started. Realizing I was going down the rabbit hole of worry again, I collected my purse and

Andrew “I’m sorry.” She lethargically turned from the window. “’Kay.” “Really. I am. But ...” Raven slightly turned her face in my direction, still avoiding my eyes but showing she listened. “I like that we’re spending more time together,” I said. “I’m sorry I haven’t been doing that enough. I made a mistake there.” Raven’s stiff shoulders loosened. Noting some promise, I went on. “And as we’ve been spending more time together, I’ve noticed some things that I looked over before.” “Like what?” she warily asked. “Where are your friends, Raven? You used to have so many.” She shook her head, looking away again and getting busy twisting a lock of hair. “That school sucks.” “It’s a big school.” “Yeah, well, there isn’t anyone there like me. Okay?” I kept back a huff. “Not okay. It’s not healthy for you to not have friends. If there isn’t anyone at school that you get along with, let’s get you somewhere you can meet more people your age. Join a club or meetup.” The suggestion sh

Lanie With his hand pressed lightly against my lower back, Andrew led me into the low-lit restaurant to a square table for two. As we settled in, my foot brushed his. I opened my mouth to apologize, but the smoldering expression on his face stopped me. “Footsie, already?” he asked. I laughed as the waiter handed me the menu. “Yeah, why waste time getting to know each other?” Though I was the one who’d said it, the ballsy statement still made me blush. Burying my face in the menu, I got busy reading. With our entrees ordered and a bottle of red wine on the table, Andrew raised his glass in cheers. “To tonight.” “To tonight,” I whispered, clinking my glass against his. I took a long sip, hoping the wine wouldn’t stain my teeth, and cleared my throat. “How is Raven?” “She’s good.” Andrew’s dark eyes sparkled in the complimentary lighting. “Thank you.” I nodded, and an unspoken agreement seemed to surface between us. There would be no more talk about work or his daughter that nigh

Andrew I saw her before I even opened my eyes. Deep brown irises. Curved, pink lips. Long, butterfly lashes. Her delicate frame pushed against mine. Heat rolled through me, and, eyes still closed, I stretched my arm across the bed, reaching for Lanie and finding nothing but cold sheets under my palm. Cracking an eye, I took in the room. A shaft of light entered through the part in the curtains, hitting the end of my too-big bed. With a groan, I rubbed my eyes and stretched out further. What had I been thinking leaving her on the porch the night before? The way my hands ached for her was nothing compared to the way they did now. Pulsing need throbbed in my palms, finding its way down to my torso before going lower and entering the most painful place it could.My cock twitched, coming to life and pressing against the thin fabric of my boxers. Sighing, I flung an arm over my eyes. Getting up was pointless. What day was it? What was I supposed to do?Who knew? I couldn’t find a single