Catching her drift, he chuckled a bit ruefully. “As excited as she was to share her news with you, she must have been relieved to hear we were in the garden and not in your bedroom.”
“Hmm.” She ran a hand lightly up his arm. “Maybe next time?”
He swooped down to kiss her, letting her have just a glimpse of the frustration he was feeling at that moment. This wasn’t how he’d anticipated their evening ending, but he understood. Family came first. Always.
“Will you be at the market in the morning?” she asked with a little sigh that seemed to echo his thoughts.
“I don’t think so.” As much as he enjoyed spending time with her, he’d rather not have his classmates watch every interaction between them as they were beginning to do. He’d enjoy the final session with the group, but if he had another chance to stroll the market with Bonnie, he’d rather do so without an audience. “I’ll be here in time for class, though.”
She nodded, and if she was disappointed that he wouldn’t be joining them in the morning she didn’t let it show. “Good night, Paul.”
He kissed her again, taking advantage of their momentary privacy to press her against his car and give them both a taste of what they were missing. Both of them were gasping for oxygen by the time the kiss ended.
Paul had a very uncomfortable drive home. The only thought that made him feel a bit better was the memory of Bonnie saying, “Next time.”
Bonnie told herself it wasn’t unprofessional for her to hope Paul stayed after class Tuesday night, at which time she planned to invite him down to her apartment for a “conference” with the teacher. She gave him no extra perks during class, she’d charged him the same as everyone else and as she’d pointed out several times, she wasn’t giving out grades. Nobody cared if one particular classmate hung around afterward. Even Jennifer had seemed to resignedly accept that for now at least, Paul had eyes only for the teacher.
Last night’s dinner date had not at all ended the way she’d envisioned, though she couldn’t regret having celebrated with Kinley and Dan and Logan until quite late. Her sister’s joy was palpable, and Dan seemed so happy about the future they would build together. Kinley hadn’t looked nearly that happy when she’d announced her first engagement to a man she’d married not because she’d been madly in love with him, but because they had seemed like a suitable match. Her heart had not been broken by the failure of that marriage, but her confidence had been badly shaken. Falling in love with Dan and knowing he loved her in return had done wonders for her battered ego.
Bonnie was thrilled for her sister. But tonight, she was glad her family had other things to do, leaving her free to pursue her own pleasures.
She dismissed the class for the final time with a sense of satisfaction that the lessons had gone well. She wasn’t sure she wanted to do another multisession class again anytime soon, but she’d enjoyed teaching. Maybe she’d set up more single session classes on next year’s calendar. But she would think about that later.
Nora led her classmates in a round of applause after Bonnie thanked them for their participation. “That was a wonderful class, Bonnie,” she said as they all began to gather their things. “I’m sorry it’s over. I’ve learned so much.”
A chorus of seconds followed the endorsement. Bonnie thanked them repeatedly, promised to send out email announcements about future classes to anyone who’d signed up for notifications and herded them toward the exit. As she had expected—hoped—Paul remained behind.
He started automatically helping her clean up, returning the dining room and kitchen to a state of preparation for the next morning’s breakfast service. “It really was a great class, Bonnie.”
“Thank you. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to hold everyone’s attention for six hours of instruction, but it did seem to work out well. I made a few notes about things I can do better in the future, but all in all, I was satisfied.”
“You should be.” Without being asked, he opened a high cupboard and stashed away a few items he already knew she kept there. “I’m really glad I ran into you at the market that morning so I was able to participate.”
Only a month ago, she realized somewhat dazedly. During that time, she’d gotten to see him as so much more than the devoted father of a bride. She knew him now as a teacher, a student, an athlete, a rescuer, a friend and a lover. And there was no aspect o
f him that she didn’t like. Although, like didn’t seem exactly the right word for her feelings for Paul. Not that this was the right time to analyze her emotions.
“Would you like to come down to my place for coffee or tea?” she asked. “All I have to do first is make a quick check in the parlor to see if anyone needs anything.”
“I would love a cup of coffee,” he said so quickly that he must have been just waiting for her to ask.
She smiled. “Okay, give me just a few—”
Her phone rang in her pocket, making her jump. Laughing a bit sheepishly, she lifted it to her ear, noting the call came from room five upstairs.
“Bonnie? This is Justine English, in room five. I think you’d better come up here. We have a little problem.”
Thinking she’d be delivering clean towels or finding batteries for a TV remote, Bonnie asked lightly, “What can I do for you, Mrs. English?”
“There’s water coming out from under the bathroom sink. My sister and I have been trying to mop it up but it keeps coming out. We think maybe the pipe broke.”
Bonnie grimaced. “I’m on my way up. Don’t go back in the bathroom, Mrs. English. I don’t want you to slip on a wet floor.”
“Did someone overflow a bathtub?” Paul asked.
She shook her head, already hitting Logan’s number on her phone. “She said a pipe broke and water is running out from under the sink. I have to rush up there to try to stop damage. Logan?” she said as soon as she heard her brother’s voice. “Room five. Water leak.”
“On my way,” her brother said grimly.