Connor’s head snapped toward where she’d pointed and he smiled. “Oh. Yes. Sure. He’s with me.”
“He’s welcome to join the tour,” she said.
“Hold on, I’ll ask him if he wants to.” With that, Connor jogged away.
Mr. Svete’s indrawn breath was audible. “I’m not impressed, Miss Kroll, and it doesn’t appear that Mr. Sutton is either.”
Shit.
“The day isn’t over yet, Mr. Svete.”
“Don’t disappoint me, Miss Kroll,” he said before he walked off.
Angelina took a deep breath, told herself she’d faced tougher challenges, and found her smile again. This isn’t the world’s shittiest day. It’s an opportunity to shine.
I can do this.
Chapter Three
Connor could have hugged Bradford, he was that happy to see him. He didn’t though. Badasses don’t hug. Instead, he kept his hands at his sides and his voice low. “I’m totally fucking up already, Bradford. You have to get me out of here. I’m going to raise my voice—tell you off. You take your best punch at my head. Make it count. I want to leave in an ambulance.”
The corners of Bradford’s mouth twitched like he was holding back a smile. “It can’t be that bad.”
“It is. See that woman over there? She already hates me, and I’ve been careful to say next to nothing to her. The guy with her gives me the creeps. You know how some dogs can sniff out cancer in people?”
Bradford ran a hand over his face. “Sure.”
“I have a super fifth sense that tells me when someone has a sick, twisted soul. That man is a horrible person who should not be around children.”
“You mean sixth sense.”
“You have it too?”
“No, forget it. And he’s harmless, not so much as a parking ticket. I wouldn’t put too much stock in your supernatural ability since it hasn’t warned you off of me.”
Connor frowned. “Not today, but soon, we have to talk about your self-esteem issues. But for right now could we focus on figuring out how to get me out of here?”
“Twisted-soul-man just walked away, you’re safe.”
“Good.” Connor glanced over his shoulder to confirm it, then relaxed a bit. His gaze lingered on the woman who looked uncertain if she should wait or join them. “I didn’t know I had a type until I met her, but isn’t she perfect?”
Bradford clapped a hand on Connor’s shoulder. “She’s out of your league, pal.”
“Is that even a thing?” Connor looked her over again. “I’m sure I’m not, with my looks and your personality.”
“You just said she hates you.”
Did Bradford not understand women? “The kind of hate that always ends with sex, yes. But there’s a problem: I can’t have sex with someone while I’m being you. What if she fell for me? Would I always have to be you? No offense, but it’s not much fun.”
“So, you just assume that no matter how she’s acting now she’ll end up wanting to have sex with you?”
Connor shrugged. “I can’t explain women.”
Bradford laughed. “I need to watch this play out. In your mind every woman wants to fuck you?”
“Nooooo, but I sense when one does.”
“Like a dog sniffing out cancer.”
“Exactly.”
“Another fifth sense.”
“Sixth sense,” Connor corrected, finally getting the joke. “I get it. People already have five senses so my soul detector is a sixth sense which would make this a seventh sense . . .” He started counting off on his fingers the other senses he credited himself with.
“Tell me about it later.” Bradford gave Connor’s shoulder a shake. “Time to shut up; your friend is walking over.”
Connor turned his head away and stretched out his facial muscles, schooling them as he’d been taught to before a tough scene. By the time Angelina was standing in front of him again, his face was carefully expressionless again. “Angelina Kroll, this is my . . . bodyguard, Bradford.”
Bradford’s greeting was a curt nod.
Unlike most people, Angelina didn’t seem intimidated by the scars or the tattoos. She smiled at him with the openness she’d shown Connor when they’d first met. “Would you like to join us? We’ll be heading to the drama building now.”
“I’d like that,” Bradford said with a charming smile.
Hang on.
Bradford could be charming?
And she was smiling back?
Oh, hell no.
“You should probably stay outside to keep an eye on the cars,” Connor said.
“The area is secure,” Bradford assured him without taking his eyes off Angelina. “I didn’t go to college so I have to admit I’m a little intimidated to be here.”
Her face softened and she put a hand on his forearm. “You shouldn’t be. Education is a lifelong journey, not a race. Yes, these children are lucky to be receiving a good foundation, but it’s what a person does with what they’re given that matters.”
“I’m always worried I’ll slip up and say something that reveals what I don’t know.”
Bradford, I’m going to kick your ass for this.
Seriously. You do not get to be me while I’m you.
Angelina’s hand remained on Bradford’s forearm. “I remember feeling the same way when I first came to this school. I was sixteen and had made more bad choices than good. We had the most incredible headmaster back then. He taught me that no one is better than anyone else. Peel back the layers of differences . . . whether they’re financial, racial, cultural, or sexual . . . we’re all the same. Everyone is simply trying to do the best they can, and Reemsly’s mission statement is about helping all of our students see that and become the best version of themselves rather than trying to make them all the same. You would have fit in perfectly here.”
“That’s kind of you to say. You’ve really put me at ease, thank you.” Oh, my God, could Bradford lay bullshit on any thicker? “I’d love to see the drama building.”
“Fantastic.” Angelina dropped her hand and turned to Connor. All warmth left her eyes. “Ready?”
Connor grunted.
When Angelina turned to start walking, Connor pointed a finger at Bradford then fisted his hand.
Bradford flashed a smile.
He’s testing me. He doesn’t think I can get Angelina to want to fuck me. Connor laced his fingers in front of him and stretched in anticipation.
Watch and learn, Bradford.
They were about to enter the drama building when Connor would have sworn he heard Angelina swear under her breath. “Mrs. Tellier. You caught us just in time. We’re heading inside to meet Mrs. Kleplin’s class.”
An older woman in a perfectly pressed dress suit and flats walked up with a huge smile on her face. “Mr. Connor Sutton. It’s a pleasure to meet you. May I call you Connor?”
“Sure,” Connor said just before she enveloped him in a hug.
“I’m a huge fan.”
She shook Bradford’s hand, but didn’t take her eyes off Connor as she did.