Page 115 of Dock

“Medicinal and recreational.”

Ohmygod, how did I not know one of my student’s parents were drug dealers?!

Wait.

Makers?

Both?

Growers?

All of the above?

Hm.

Why do I get the feeling I am about to learn more about the people in Avallone than I ever thought possible?

“You have questions,” H lightly chortles.

“So. Many.”

“And I have to get my ass home to get ready for work.” He does his best to hide his own disappointment. “But you can ask me later over pastries.”

I nod yet pause before eagerly suggesting, “You should bring over spare clothes.”

His quirked eyebrow is given a wordless question form.

“That way you can…shower and get ready for work here…versus having to go back to the clubhouse all the time.”

“Sounds like me moving in, Teach.”

“Oh, you can ask me for a key, but I can’t save you money on gas?”

My teasing receives a warm, open-mouthed chuckle that’s followed by pressing a gentle, lingering kiss to my lips. “I’ll text you when I get time.”

Post another nod and kiss and kiss to my knuckles, H returns to his bike leaving me to rest my back against the door. While watching him take off on Nigel sucks – because I don’t want him to leave – it also feels oddly incredible.

Like we’re actually something.

For the first time since this all started, I have less questions than clarifications, and that feels good.

Really. Good.

Maybe that future me I pretend to never think about – the one that Gam Gam kept encouraging to come around – has actually arrived.

Funny how I didn’t see her coming.

Or expect her to have this much black in her wardrobe.

Can I still wear colors as an Old Lady?

That question proposes a second at the same time I pull my keys from my fanny pack.

Am I gonna be given a book to study?

A pamphlet?

A class?!