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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Olivia Dade
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February 6 - February 8, 2022
The school didn’t contain enough oxygen for the number of deep breaths Rose needed to take. Neither did the entirety of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Being a woman didn’t obligate her to make men—or anyone—comfortable in her presence. People who said otherwise could contemplate their terrible life choices while she shoved their arrogant presumption somewhere exceedingly painful.
“Ms. Owens likes you, you know. She smiled at your dumb jokes, and she was watching you when you weren’t looking at her. Which you were totally doing all the time. You should ask her out.”
“And no, you’re totally the first. What an original observation.” “Thank you. What a sincere compliment.”
He bent over to study something on the ground, and Rose almost bit her tongue in two. Not to mention that round, taut ass. Jesus.
“If I fall asleep, please elbow me. And if I die of boredom, please scatter my ashes directly in front of the presenter, so he accidentally breathes me into his sinuses and gets an infection.”
It was his coffee, and she really shouldn’t rely on him for anything. But it smelled like the sort of coffee a god might offer when he swooped down from Mt. Olympus and impregnated some mortals. Caffeinated ambrosia. Seduction in liquid form. Martin leaned close and whispered, “Rose, stop eye-fucking the coffee and just drink it.”
“I get that you may have had a hard past, and I get that he turned you down once for a date. But if you don’t intend to let him inside that shell, be kind.”
“We’ve never met one of Rosie’s colleagues before.” No doubt they hadn’t. “Rose is quite private.” Annette’s shoulders visibly stiffened under that drape-y fabric, and her blue eyes narrowed on him. “She has her reasons. Anyone in her life would have to understand that and appreciate her for what she is, rather than what he’d like her to be.”
“I think Rose is magnificent. Smart and kind and hardworking and witty. Do I wish I knew more about her? Yes. But that doesn’t mean I resent her self-containment or that I’d ever push her to change for my own comfort.” Alfred’s mouth turned down at the corners. “Which makes you a better partner for her than our son ever was.”
“I can’t promise I won’t ever hurt her, because I’m human, and I also don’t know enough about her to avoid any sore spots. But I can promise I will do my absolute, unequivocal best not to cause her pain. Ever.”
“Sometimes extreme disappointment makes my back seize.”
“What a coincidence. Anytime I can’t pay for my part of a meal, I get a blinding migraine.”
“The last thing she said was that all her students thought their parents were unfair and annoying sometimes. But not all of them had dads who cared enough to make sure their daughters got enough sleep. Which was her roundabout way of telling me to appreciate you,” Bea said. “And after that, I told her exactly what I’m about to tell you. I do appreciate you. You’re a great dad, and I love you, and I don’t tell you that enough.”
“Doesn’t seem that hard to me. Then again, you’re a dude.”
She would have said he had a heart of gold, but it must have been stronger than that. Steel. Diamond, maybe.
Sometimes the most horrible things are also the most effective.”
Rose waved him behind her too. When he didn’t move from her side, she tried—gently—to push him back to the only shelter she could provide him. He didn’t budge, and her flared-nostril glare should have incinerated him on the spot. That’s when he knew. He loved her. And AP exam or no AP exam, he was done waiting.
“I’m surprised a heart as black and bitter as yours can still beat.”
“One, I can’t afford to do that again, not with closing costs and moving expenses. Two, Marysburg is my home now.” His eyes met hers. “Everything I want is here.”
“Green instead of black? This seems so unlike you.” “HOAs are a bitch.” Her hair swayed around her shoulders as she turned. “Sorry for any disappointment. My next home will be enormous and dark enough to blot out the sun, if that’s any consolation.” “Some.” He stepped inside and removed his shoes. “I’ll look forward to purchasing a tasteful plant and several evil henchmen as your housewarming presents.” She snorted. “Don’t bother with the plant. It’ll just die without sunlight, like the rest of you mere mortals.” “Black and bitter.” He shook his head. “Black and bitter.”
“Is your pride more important than your happiness?”
“First of all, he let you go.” He held up a finger. “Which means he’s either a fool or a dick, and you wouldn’t marry a fool. I wouldn’t have thought you’d marry a dick either, but it’s easier to disguise dickishness than foolishness, at least long enough to trap a woman into marriage.” Another finger. “Second, while you were in the bathroom at Milano, Alfred said something that implied his son tried to change you. Once more, I have to err on the side of dickishness. Although one could also argue that only a fool would want to change someone so amazing, and only a fool would expect you, of all
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“Then come to prom with me, Rose. Make our relationship public. Trust me not to hurt you. Trust me not to expose you to the judgment or ridicule of others.”
“If that’s asking too much right now, trust your own ability to handle scrutiny and brush off any unkindness you might experience. Especially since I’d have your back the entire time. I promise.”
“I don’t want to hide how I feel about you, and I’m too old and tired to sneak around for long, even to keep someone I want as much as you.” So gently, he smoothed her hair behind her ear. Stroked her cheek. “I get your scars, Rose. I respect them, and how you’ve chosen to deal with them. But I have scars of my own.”
“Above all else, I need to be with someone who’s proud of me. Proud enough to claim me in public, rather than hiding me like a dirty secret.”
“I know it’s too soon. I know it’s not entirely rational of me to demand so much of you right now. But I am who I am. I need that public acknowledgment. I need to know the woman I love is proud to be with me.”
“May I kiss you one last time?”
“Rose…” He tried to smile. Failed. “Please let someone love you. Even if it’s not me.” Then he left for good.
Omg no
Bless them for calling a divorced dad in his mid-forties a young man.
“You may not have gotten a penny from our son in the divorce, but you kept us.” Annette blinked back her own tears. “We’re not going anywhere.”
“Every second. I’ll have your back every second for the rest of your life, Rose. And if anyone tries to make you feel small, go subarctic and hand them their asses. But do it in front of me, because I want to watch.”
“I love you, Rose. I’ll always love you.”
“Detention?” Rose murmured. He nodded. “We’ll pass notes.”
“I love it when you go Absolute Zero on that asshole.” Martin’s breath tickled her ear. “You in that silky dress and those heels, gorgeous and in complete control. A queen freezing out the pretender to her throne. It made me want to drop to my knees, push up that skirt, and—” She couldn’t get turned on in the middle of prom. She couldn’t. “Work function,” she reminded him breathlessly, tiptoeing her fingers up the placket of his tux. “But when we get home, please share your insights, Mr. Krause. In depth.” He dipped his head and kissed her knuckles. “I should warn you: I spent a lot of time at
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His blue eyes had turned solemn. “I love you, you know.” “I do know. You’ve never hidden it, so I’ve never doubted it.” She lifted their entwined fingers to her cheek. “I love you too.”
“Now let’s go home and experiment with homebound teaching. And maybe conduct some oral presentations.”
