The Teacher's Billionaire (15 page)

Dylan shook his head. “If I do I will never get back to the city tonight, and I have to. I've got meetings all day tomorrow starting at eight.”

The tone of his voice let her know why that would be the case, and she felt herself blush. Something she seemed to be doing an awful lot of lately when they were together.

“But I will see you soon.” With that final comment, he kissed her once more and left.

You're getting in over your head. Way over, to the point of drowning.
“But what a way to go,” Callie muttered locking the door and turning on the kitchen light.

Too wound up to just sit in her apartment, Callie snapped Lucky's leash onto his collar and grabbed her flashlight. Dusk was just starting to fall. An extra long walk tonight was just the thing she needed.

***

Monday was Callie's least favorite day of the week, always had been. Sitting in her classroom getting ready for the day ahead, the old Bangles song Manic Monday kept running through her head, especially the line about wishing it was Sunday.

Do I ever.

“I want to know all the details,” Lauren said bursting into the classroom through the side door.

Pausing next to a student's desk, Callie asked, “What details?”

“Don't even try to go there.” Lauren wagged a finger in Callie's direction. “I saw you on television Saturday night looking rather cozy with Dylan Talbot.” Lauren paused for a moment. “Not that I blame you. I wouldn't mind getting cozy with him myself.”

On television? What is she talking about?

“At the Red Sox game,” Lauren explained as if reading her mind. “The cameras showed you guys more than once. Hard not to. You were right behind the batter's box.”

“Oh,” Callie replied just as the bell rang.

Saved by the bell.

“Darn it.” Lauren moved towards the door that connected their classrooms. “I want to know everything later. And I mean
everything
.”

Nodding Callie promised they would talk after school. But she wasn't really sure how much she would tell Lauren. Yes, Lauren was her oldest and closest friend. Still she didn't know how much she wanted to share just yet. Everything with Dylan seemed to be happening so fast.

And not just with Dylan. Her whole life seemed to be one giant roller coaster ride lately. Callie wondered if her mom had known how much her letter to Warren would change her life.

Probably, Ruth Taylor hadn't been a dumb woman.

“Morning, Miss Taylor,” one of her students greeted entering the classroom.

Pushing all thoughts of her parents and Dylan from her mind, Callie smiled. “Good morning Andrew.”

The students that day were unusually difficult. Callie didn't know if it was because they were down to the last two weeks of school or because it was so warm in her classroom. Whatever the reason she was actually grateful. They kept her so engaged she didn't once think about her own mixed up life. Or the fact that she'd told Dylan she would not only go to the fundraiser with him but stay with him as well. Was she ready for that?

Later that afternoon the side door in her classroom opened, letting Callie know Lauren was back from bus duty ready to pick up their conversation from the morning whether she wanted to or not.

“Okay Callie, I want all the details.” Lauren pulled a chair over to Callie's desk. “What is going on between you and that Greek god?”

Callie laughed at her friend's comparison. She definitely agreed with it. “He was actually born in England, so that would make him an English god.”

Not appreciating her humor, Lauren threw her a dirty look.

“I meet him through my father. Dylan's mother is married to him,” Callie explained trying to quickly decide how much to share.

“I know that. But that's not what I asked.” Lauren shook her head causing her large smiley faced earrings to move back and forth. Leaning forward Lauren continued, “What's up between you two? I want all the juicy details. Don't leave anything out.”

“We're... friends,” Callie answered not looking her friend in the eye.

Lauren snorted. “Friends? You looked like more than friends to me.”

She wasn't sure how to answer that. Despite their wonderful weekend together, Callie had no idea were she stood with Dylan. “We spent most of the weekend together,” she explained carefully choosing her words.

Her friend smiled. “And?”

“And what?”

“Are you two a couple?”

Callie thought about their time together. The whole weekend it felt as if they were. Then there was Saturday night and Sunday morning to consider. She could feel herself blushing as memories bombarded her.

Sighing Callie shrugged. “I don't know.”

“So when are you seeing him again?” Lauren asked practically bouncing up and down.

Should I tell her everything?

Callie thought about it for a second. It would be nice to see what someone else thought. And there wasn't anyone she trusted more than Lauren.

“Remember the fundraiser in New York I told you about?”

“You weren't sure you wanted to go.”

“Well I am. Dylan is picking my up at the train station,” she paused wondering how Lauren would react if she told her the rest.

“And?”

Callie tried to look as if she didn't know what her friend was implying. “And what?”

Lauren rolled her eyes. “Give it a rest Callie. This is me. I can tell when you are leaving something out. So you might as well spit it out now. I'll hound you until you tell me. You know that.”

Picking up a pencil Callie rolled it between her fingers. “He asked me to stay with him.” The words came out in a rush. “I said yes.”

A low whistle escaped Lauren. “I don't think you need to wonder if he's interested. And why wouldn't he be? You're beautiful, smart, kind. Hell if I was a guy I'd be attracted to you.”

Callie could only shrug. She wanted to believe what Lauren said. If it was anyone other than Dylan she would.

“Do you really think...”

“Can I borrow that evening gown you bought for your cruise last year?” Callie asked cutting Lauren off. “I don't have anything for the fundraiser.”

Lauren simply gave her an I know what you are doing look. “Sure, either come over this week and get it, or I can bring it in.”

“Great. Thanks.” Callie began to pull out the materials she would need for the following day.

“I think he's interested, Callie. Why else would he want you to stay with him?”

Callie shrugged again and continued to get things ready for the following day. “To help me save money. Hotels in New York are expensive.”

“
Please.
Other than the game what did you guys do this weekend?”

Maybe if she kept the answer short and sweet Lauren would get the hint she didn't want to talk anymore about Dylan. “Just hung out in Boston.”

“Did you sleep with him.”

Callie knew the question was coming. After all this was Lauren. So she should have been able to contain her reaction. But she wasn't. Immediately her hands stilled, and her face burned with color.

“You did! You go girl!” Lauren said before Callie could even open her mouth.

Moving back to her desk Callie refused to look at her friend. “Could you bring the dress tomorrow? I think it'll be fine but I want to try it just in case it doesn't fit.”

“Sure. If you want to talk later call me,” Lauren said finally getting the hint that Callie didn't want to talk right now.

***

Thursday night Dylan sat in his mother's favorite New York City restaurant waiting for her and Warren. Normally he found dinner with them enjoyable, a nice break from his usual daily grind. Tonight though he wanted to be at the office. Several pressing matters demanded his attention. Matters he wanted to get resolved before Friday night. He didn't want work keeping him in the city that weekend.

The volume of noise in the restaurant dropped slightly and heads turned as his mother and Warren walked towards his table. Both were stopped several times by people they knew. Eventually though they reached him.

“Mom, you look fabulous tonight,” Dylan said giving her a hug before shaking Warren's hand. And she did. Tonight she wore a cream colored Chanel
dress. Dylan wondered briefly if his mother and sister owned anything without a famous designer's name attached to it. Like a pair of Levi jeans and a t-shirt.

Once everyone was seated and drinks were served Warren spoke. “I spoke with Callie yesterday. She said you're picking her up at the train station the night before the fundraiser.”

Dylan nodded wondering if she told him she planned on staying with him too. He had every intention of telling Warren tonight, but if she already had, all the better. He wasn't sure how his stepfather would interpret the news.

“Good. I'm guessing you couldn't convince her to come on the plane.”

Shaking his head Dylan replied, “Tried. She refused.”

Warren smiled. “She seems a little stubborn, kind of like me. But, at least she is coming.” He paused for a drink. “She mentioned you are letting her stay with you so she doesn't need to get a hotel room.”

Before Warren could continue a waiter appeared to ask if they required anything else while they looked over their menus. “I wish Sara would welcome Callie to the family the same way you have.” Warren said once the waiter left.

Dylan nearly chocked on the water he'd just swallowed. Obviously his stepfather had no idea his relationship with Callie had turned intimate. His mother gave him a strange look.

“Just went down the wrong way,” he explained once he stopped coughing. “Give Sara a chance. She might still come around. It hasn't been that long, and it has been quite a shock for everyone.” He thought Sara was being immature about the situation. In many ways, he felt she hadn't fully grown up yet. Not that it was entirely her fault. Warren and his mom tended to still treat her like a princess rather than an adult woman.

“I hope you're right. They are sisters.” Warren said before changing the topic.

The conversation for the remainder of dinner centered on Warren's campaign and upcoming fundraiser. With the election only five months away there was a lot of work to do, and Warren liked to get input from those closest to him.

Right before dessert arrived Warren's cell phone rang. Excusing himself he retreated to a more private area to take the call. Dylan didn't envy his stepfather. These days the man ate, slept and drank politics. This was actually the fourth call he'd gotten during dinner. He didn't want to know how many Warren had already received that day.

Once Warren left, Dylan's mother focused her attention on him. “Thank you for keeping an eye on Callie.”

“It's not necessary,” he said unable to keep the anger out of his voice.

Wrapping her manicured hands around her tea cup, Elizabeth studied her son before answering. “You're probably right. Callie seems like a nice young woman.” She paused as if trying to choose just the right words. “But Warren has worked to hard for this. I don't want everything ruined because of one indiscretion from his youth.”

Dylan knew his mother only had her husband's best interest in mind. Still it didn't sit well that she viewed Callie as any kind of threat. True he once shared her sentiments, but that was before he'd gotten to know her.

“Once you get to know her you'll see she isn't like that.” Dylan tried to keep his voice devoid of emotion.

By the way his mother's perfectly shaped eyebrow went up, Dylan suspected he hadn't succeeded. “Just how well have you gotten to know her?”

“We've become friends.” The last person he wanted to discuss his relationship with was his mother. Elizabeth looked as if she wanted to press the matter but didn't say another word as her husband approached the table.

***

Callie stared at her silent cell phone. She didn't even want to know how many times she'd done it that night.

You're pathetic.
She couldn't keep the derogatory thought from her mind.

Dylan said he'd call tonight and here she sat by the phone like a love sick teenager. She sighed at the thought of the word love. She couldn't deny it. She was falling in love with Dylan Talbot. Callie didn't know when it started to happen, not that it really mattered. The only thing that mattered was what she planned to do now.

Telling him was not an option. He hadn't given any indication that he felt the same way. Maybe that made her a coward, but she still had no intentions of doing it.

Lauren suggested she just enjoy herself, and see were things went. That didn't seem like a great idea either. In the end she would be the one with the heart ache.

“Be glad you're a dog,” Callie said scratching Lucky behind the ears.

The Bon Jovi chorus coming from her cell phone caused her heart to beat faster, and she silently cursed herself. She hated that she had so little self control where Dylan was concerned. “Hello.” Man, she wished she didn't sound so eager.