Sapphire Universe (15 page)

“I’ll think about it.  Eat your eggs, we have to go in twenty minutes.”  He nods and shovels a forkful into his mouth.

When we get to the school, I notice Connor looking around and smiling at everything.  He looks so happy and excited that I give myself a mental pat on the back for my brilliancy.  I squeeze his hand once and release it to open the door to Principal Mark Wilton’s office.  Kate looks up from her computer and smiles at me but blinks when she sees Connor.  Really who could blame her though?  She recovers quickly enough and reinstates her sweet smile.

“Good morning Nina! What can I do for you today?”  She says pushing her retro studded glasses up her nose.

“Hey Kate!  This is Connor Wright, I’m going to talk to Mark about introducing him to the board as a candidate for the head of the new mentor program.  Is he in?”

Kate claps her hands in front of her.  “Oh that’s great news!  They are pretty desperate at this point.  The deadline to get this thing up and running is the end of March I believe.” 

I look over at the calendar. “That means they only have about four months.” 

She nods grimly.  “Mark is in his office, you can knock and see if he is busy.” 

I do as she says and look over at Connor who is adjusting his tie and his predictable fingers take their normal path through his hair.  I giggle at how adorable he is and he smirks at me.  “Good morning Mr. Wilton.”  I say when he opens the door. “Do you have a minute?”  Mark opens the door wider and lets Connor and me into his office.

“Please take a seat.”  Mark gestures to the front of his desk where the chairs are. 

“This is Connor Wright, Connor this is Principal Mark Wilton.”  The two men shake hands and trade nice to meet yous. 

“What can I help you two with this morning, I’ve got a conference call in an hour with the board to talk about possibly extending the deadline on the mentor program.  Some of the board members are already talking about pulling the plug.” 

I smile, this is just too perfect.  “That is actually what we are here for.  I mentioned the program to Connor, because I think he would be perfect for the position and he is really interested.”  I hand him Connor’s resume and just sit back and wait.  Mark puts on his reading glasses and starts to read.  When he is finished he looks at Connor. 

“Mr. Wright, what type of experience do you have with children?”  He asks.  This is the hard selling point since Connor is more than qualified to handle the business side of the position, but has never worked with kids. 

“Honestly Mr. Wilton, I don’t have any experience teaching children.  I have a cousin who has a four year old daughter and sometimes I feel like she is the one teaching me.  I have a feeling it will be the same with this job, but I’m a fast learner and in a way it’s no different than mentoring an adult.  You just treat them with respect, give them the tools they need and the opportunity to succeed.”  His speech makes me overflow with pride for him.  This man, my man, is incredible.  Mr. Wilton is quiet for a minute, but his deliberation is short and he smiles. 

“Well Connor, let’s start working up a plan to convince the board to take you on, you’ve got my vote.  We have just less than forty-five minutes before the conference call.  Miss Ryan if you would like to head to class we can take it from here.”

I smile at both of them.  “Thanks Mr. Wilton I knew you would agree with me.  I’ll see you after class Mr. Wright.” 

Connor smirks at my use of his last name.  “Yes you will Miss Ryan.” 

It’s the first time I’m not one hundred percent there with my students and I almost feel guilty.  I can’t help it when something so important is happening with someone I care so much about.  At lunch I practically run to the principal’s office.  When Kate sees me, she smiles widely.

“I’m not positive
, but I think it went really well.  They are still in his office, so that’s a good sign right?”  She says, already knowing what I’m there for.

“Let’s hope so.”  I say crossing my fingers. 

“If you don’t mind me saying something Nina, you look really great…happy.”

I smile and flush.  “I am, thanks Kate.” 

“Maybe it has something to do with a guy?” 
Observant.
 

“Maybe it does.”  I wink at her when she frowns.  I knock on Marks door and I hear a “Come in.”
  I open the door to two men beaming with male pride and I can’t hold back the laughter that bubbles up at their mirrored expressions.  “I take it you got the job.”  I say. 

“Oh he got the job Nina, he’s even got the whole program outlined and has placed two phone calls with local businesses to set up meetings.”  Connor looks so excited and proud that I want to jump in his lap and kiss him.  Mr. Wilton must be observant as well because he smiles knowingly at me and says to Connor, “Why don’t you go grab some lunch and meet me back here afterwards.”  Connor shakes Marks hand and guides me out of the office with his hand in the small of my back.

When we get to my car, Connor opens my door for me and walks around to get in the passenger side.  I turn to ask him all about the conference call with the school board, but when I open my mouth Connor slams his lips into mine and swallows my words with his kiss.  A few breathless minutes later I finally pull away and glance around the parking lot.  Thankfully it’s deserted.  Connor grabs my face with one hand on each cheek and forces me to look in his eyes and right then, I wouldn’t care if the whole world was watching us.

“Thank you Nina.  I really don’t know what I would do without you and I hope I never find out.  I didn’t even know how bad I wanted to do this until you told me that I could.  The board was either so impressed or so desperate that they hired me on the spot.”  He is so beautiful with his sapphire eyes and his excitement that I make a decision right then.

“Yes.”  I whisper.  Connor stills and then smiles slowly.  He always knows what I’m thinking.

“Your place or something new?”  He asks not giving me a chance to change my mind. 

“It really doesn’t matter.”  I say meaning it. I’ve already walked to the edge of the cliff, might as well dive in.

“It’s you and me Princess.  I’m going to make you so happy.”  He says in between kissing my temple than hair. 

“You already do.”

At the end of the day Connor and I head to Les’ house.  We walk inside and find the fire blazing and two men laughing in the kitchen.  My gaze immediately goes to the fireplace and it takes me back to the night when my whole life changed.  The fire snaps and pops against the glass and I go into a trance.  I can smell the smoke of my burning bed sheets and clothes again and see my mother’s handwriting start to fade as the paper of her note blackens. 

“Nina?”  I turn my head and see Connor looking at me.  His eyes are the same color the flame was when I first lit the match that night.  Sapphire.  I’m reminded of how those flames seemed to help me pull everything together, making my world clear again. Connor frowns when I don’t immediately answer him so I smile.  He smiles back at me but it doesn’t reach his eyes. 

“Ben, you’re in for a treat my old friend.  Nina’s here!”  Les yells. 

Connor mutters something under his breath that sounds like “Never mind my son.”  I kiss his lips once and head into the kitchen. 

“Les! It’s so good to see you again!”  I pull him into a hug and hear his friend chuckling. 

“Easy there Connor boy, he is your father.  Les, your son seems mighty possessive of this one.”  The other man, who I assume is Ben, says. 

Les laughs. “Don’t worry son, you’re the younger model.” 

I giggle at the exchange and turn to Les’ friend. “I’m Nina Ryan it’s nice to meet you.”  I can’t help but feel at home here.  I think I may have adopted Les as a father figure in my heart already.  The man with salt and pepper hair shakes my outstretched hand with both of his. 

“Absolutely charme
d Miss Nina.  I’m Benjamin.”  He releases my hand with a squeeze and I glance over at the bottle of José they have been taking shots of. 

“Why Les, are you sure you should be drinking this?”  I ask glancing at Connor. 

Les flinches. “I am no invalid Nina.  I’ve earned this bottle and I’m more than old enough to have a drink or two.  The good ol’ Doc approved a little alcohol at this morning’s appointment.  Yeesh Ben you’d think I was headin 80 the way these two act.”

I really only have one concern at this point.  “Les, you would have an extra shot glass handy for a girl needin a drink wouldn’t you?”  I say batting my eyelashes at him.  I swear Connor groans but I can’t be sure over Les’ loud response. 

“Is a frogs ass waterproof?”

A few shots and lots of laughs later  Connor and I are getting ready to leave when Les stops us
, looking far too serious for a man who was just telling stories about pulling pranks on his son.  Apparently, Connor is now terrified of snakes, always checks the toilet for saran wrap and stands slightly to the left when turning on a faucet.

“Connor, Nina, before you go there is something I’ve been meanin to discuss with you, but just haven’t been ready for it.  I’m ready now.”  Les looks over to Ben who nods once. 

“What’s up Dad?  Is everything okay?”  Connor puts a hand on his father’s shoulder. 

“Yes it is son, I just been needin to make a few chan
ges that’s all.  I’m gonna be 60 in a handful of years and I’m livin in a big ol house that’s like a shrine to my dead wife, bless her soul.  Almost dyin puts some things into perspective and I think it’s what your momma would want for me.” 

Connor glances at me so I step forward and put my hand on Les’ other shoulder.  “What are you getting at here Les?” 

Les laughs “Doesn’t beat around the bush this one, just like my Patricia.  Well, Nina I want to get rid of the house and travel.” 

My heart sinks a little.  I can understand why he wouldn’t want to live in big house that reminds him of what he lost all alone, every day.  And I definitely understand wanting to see the world.  I’ve seen the “Bucket List.”  But the thought of never getting to step foot in this house again puts a knot in my chest.  I love this house. 

“Dad, I get where you’re coming from but do you really want to sell the house?  You love this house.  Mom loved this house.  I love this house.  Shouldn’t you think about this a little more?”  Connor speaks what I’m thinking like usual. 

“I’ve thought about it plen
ty son.  Selling it isn’t ideal and it’ll break my heart to let it go, but what other choice do I have?  I was hopin to give it to you when you were ready to start a family, but your pushin 30 and that aint happened.  Though you’ve made some progress with this one here and if you’re smart you’ll snatch her up ‘fore she figures out you don’t deserve her.”  He says pointing at me.

I smile at Les wanting to assure him of one thing.  “Your son actually asked me to move in together this morning and I’ve agreed.  Your son is wonderful to me Les, if anything I don’t deserve him.” 

Connor glares at me.  And now I’m totally confused.  I just made him sound like the perfect boyfriend and he glares at me. 
WTF?
 

“Way to go son! I always said you had your mother’s brains.  You two lovebirds gonna shack up at her apartment?” 

Connor shakes his head.  “We aren’t sure dad, we only just decided this today.” 

Les gets a conspiring look on his face and Ben laughs.  I look at Ben and raise my eyebrow and he just motions to Les still smiling. 

“Well that’s perfect!  You have no idea how happy it would have made Patricia!  Oh what good timing you have Connor boy!  Nina you can fix up the house anyway you like it, just havin family here is all that matters.  You two really have made your old man happy!” Les is beaming and I’m no dummy.  He just hoodwinked us. 

“Dad, that’s a pretty big step and we haven’t been together that long.  Don’t put that kind of pressure on Nina, that’s not fair to her.  I’m sure whoever buys the house would let us stop by in the future if we asked.”  I look at Connor and although he is trying to sound nonchalant, I can see that this is what he wants.  His clear sapphire eyes are swimming with longing. 

“Connor, I love this house too.  If we are moving in together anyway and we both already said we didn’t care where it was, why couldn’t it be here?  It would save us the trouble of looking and if your father is going to be traveling he won’t need the furniture.  Also, this way we have an extra room for him when he comes home and it’ll be someplace familiar.”  Connor’s mouth is open and his eyes are smoldering. 

“You see Connor!
I knew it would be perfect! Just listen to your beautiful, intelligent girlfriend.  I could just sign it over to you, since I paid if off last year with Tricia’s insurance money.  We may have to put a dollar or somethin’ on the bill of sale.”  I shake my head at him. I was willing to live here, because it was the most perfect house in the world, but not for free. 

“No way Les.  You’re going to need some traveling money and though I would love to live here, I refuse to do it free.  You will sell it to us for a fair price or no deal.” 

Les frowns and harrumphs.  “Stubborn woman.  We can talk about it later.  It’s getting late anyways.” 

Connor grabs my coat from the closet.  “Yes it is
and Nina and I need to talk about this before we discuss anything more with you, you sneaky bastard.”  Connor shoots me a look that says I’d better say good bye now.  Shit, maybe he really didn’t want this.  We say our goodbyes and drive to the apartment.  The drive is silent and when Connor pulls in and parks the truck, I brace myself and bite the bullet.