Page 100 of Troublemaker: The Big Picture Edition

“You can’t run off like that, Ryder. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Miss Stiles told me.”

“You know what, I think you can call me Emilia when we’re not at school. As long as you remember to call me Miss Stiles when we’re in school. Okay?”

“Okay.” I think he’s attempting to wink at me, but he just scrunches up his face while blinking.

I put my hand on his face, and I can’t stop myself from saying, “I love you.” I say it to Ryder and to Alex.

Ryder blushes and looks away, grinning. But I have no regrets.

Alex lets Ryder slide down the side of him, but we both take one of his hands. This little bugger isn’t getting away from us anytime soon.

All the stress has disappeared from Alex’s face. He is smiling and clearly as relieved as I am. He leans over his son to give me a kiss. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

“Can we get Atticus and then get gelato and then go to the dog park and then go home and have pizza and watch movies?”

“Yes,” Alex and I answer at the same time.

He nods toward his parked car. “Shall we?” He holds his free hand out to me, and I take it, letting go of Ryder’s.

Someone from my school could very well see us, and if they do—fuck ’em.

It’s a lovely late winter day. February might end up being my favorite month in LA after all. And I’m determined to love every month up until June too.

CHAPTER 39

EMILIA

Istare at the big clock on the wall. Three twenty-five. My meeting with Mrs. Woodard is in five minutes. I finish stapling tomorrow’s printouts and put them in their proper folders, hands trembling as I take a calming breath.

On Sunday, Alex helped me decide on what to say to my principal. I’m going to tell her that we’re dating. Alex kept offering to come with me, which was so sweet of him, but I need to do this myself. I stand up, smoothing my hair and my cardigan, and pull my purse out from a desk drawer, when I hear a knock at the door.

I recognize her as soon as I see her—Nova. Her hair is long, dark, and wavy. Her face is exotic and striking. She’s petite and lithe, and I can totally understand how Alex would have felt struck by lightning when he met her. I had imagined her with a more frenetic energy, but she has a sort of serene glow about her, even though her belly looks as flat as a board in those leggings.

“Miss Stiles?” she says, stepping inside.

“Yes.”

Why is she here?

“I’m Ryder’s mom. Nova Tully. Is it okay for me to come in?”

“Yes. I have a meeting to go to in a few minutes, but yes.” I put my purse down and walk over to meet her halfway with my hand extended. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

But instead of shaking my hand, Nova Tully pulls me in for a hug. “It’s really good to meet you.”

It’s unexpected.

And she’s a surprisingly warm hugger for someone who looks like she should be leaping and writhing around in a leotard on a big stage somewhere.

When she pulls away, I offer her a seat at my reading table and check the clock.

“Oh, don’t worry about your meeting,” she says, waving her hand. “Mrs. Woodard knows I’m talking to you. I was just in with her.”

That is also unexpected.