Teaching A Thing Or Two

Chapter 9 Meet Up

Finley's POV

After calling Kimmy and Kacee, I broke down completely as I explained the whole situation to them. Without a moment to lose, they are at my place inviting themselves in, but I don't object one bit. I need them.

I make all of us some margaritas to calm my body and mind. But I can't seem to help looking out the window over and over again. "Finn, Joey won't be stupid enough to come back here. don't worry." Kimmy states to me as I shake my head. "I'm not worried about that."

I watch them curiously look back and forth between each other as Kacee states. "So.. Are you looking for a mysterious construction worker and savior, then?" I look at them before shyly nodding in response.

"Honey, didn't you say they were almost done with that house next door?" Kimmy asks me as I nod my head again.

"I want to catch him before he goes to a new job.. I just want to say thank you for everything, I never got the chance to before he left me. I just don't know if I will get to see him again, and I don't even know his name." I say, sharing too much as I stare at them from across my kitchen island.

"So our little Finley has a secret crush on her mysterious handsome savior? That's sweet." Kacee says to me as I groan, then chugging a good amount of my margarita before retorting. "Not a crush.. I'm just very enticed.. and I want to give a proper thank you, that's all."

They look back and forth between each other, smirking as Kimmy asks. "A proper Thank you.. So that's why you paid attention to every little detail, sounding mesmerized and talking about him to us?" I scoff at that comment as she adds, "Does this proper thank you involve dinner?" I nod at them suspiciously as they smile bigger, and Kacee asks, "How about drinks?" I nod again at her suggestion.

"Ok, so a crush that you're completely enticed with, wanting to take out for dinner and drinks.. got it." Kimmy states as I groan outloud with the both of them giggling at my expense. I can tell this is going to be a long, making fun of me night. They saw straight through me, knowing this is exactly what I wanted and needed, thankfully.

-----Next Morning-----

I wake up on my couch right next to my friends, who are also thrown around my front room with throw pillows and blankets all around us. This whole night was a much needed girls slumber get-together.

They relieve some of my stresses with the much needed girls' comforting night.. just letting the stresses drift away as the hope floats just because of them.

These girls have been there for me since the moment we started to work together... and after 6 years.. I just can't see my life without them in it. I couldn't be more grateful to have these wonderful, pure human beings in my life.

I get up with a little bit of a pep in my step strangely. I start getting food out preparing to make them some brunch to give us all a pep in our steps.

They wake up and willingly help me make breakfast as we just chat like old friends do, making jokes here and there but most importantly just enjoying each other's company. Now I stand corrected, THIS is the type of distraction that I needed all along.. who knew? We spend the rest of our morning and the afternoon being lazy around my house since it's our last day off before class tomorrow.

The night gets here quicker than any of us expected as the shades of orange and pink turn to maroon, purple, and blue until there is no color but black sprinkled with the white stars in the sky.

"So, do you want to do dinner at my place tonight?" Kacee asks as I stand up, stretching. "No, but thanks for the invite, I'm having dinner with Sunny to discuss a learning plan of attack with her parents." I explain as they both nod.

"Well, that's nice it's dinner you don't have to cook for.. Like I said, the dad is really nice, but I never talk to the mom, so good luck with that." Kacee states to me as I nod in understanding.

I go to my closet, picking out some tights and a flower covered teal dress, along with my light sweater over the top. "Does this look ok? Not too casual, but still a little professional?" I ask as they both nod vigorously.

"You look great.. but not too amazing to make the wife jealous or intimidated.. so perfect." Kimmy exclaims, making me smile. I finish doing my hair and light makeup, accenting my features once again.

"Ok, we will see you tomorrow morning.. have fun, but most importantly, be safe." Kacee says to me as Kimmy adds, "Please call us if you need anything."

"I will, I swear. I love you both.. thank you." I give them hugs as I grab my things since I'm ready to go now. I walk out the ladies, locking my door behind us as we all get to our cars. They both wait in anticipation for me to get into my car safely.. I think just worrying about me because of what happened yesterday.

I get into my car, turning over the engine, feeling it rumble underneath me as my music starts to play. I turn waving at my friends once more as they do the same back.

I let out a deep breath, just letting the calming music fill my car. This helps ease my nervous mind as much as it possibly can before I have to get into work mode since I'm meeting a students parents.

These home visits can get a little intimidating sometimes, hence me trying to calm before I get there. I put the address into my GPS as I drive off into the direction I'm told. I listen to the instructions given to make my way towards my destination.

Once I'm told I have made it to my destination, I park and get out of my car. I straighten my dress then fluffing my hair just wanting to look my best because this is my job and I have to make a good first impression for Sunny's sake.

I strut up to the front door as I let out a deep breath, knocking in a loud enough rhythm to alert the family inside of my presence.

I hear footsteps making their way to the front door from inside until I can tell that they are at the front door. I hear the door knob turn as the door swings open, gaining my attention as I glance up. My eyes lock with my mysterious saviors. He looks just as shocked as I feel with my jaw ajar.

"Hey." He says softly to me as his eyes search my face. I gently bite my lip as I realize I'm staring at his amazing features once again. "Hello.. I.. Um.. think I'm at the wrong place.. I'm so sorry for bothering you once again.. I'll just go.." I say as I turn to walk down the steps, but I'm stopped by the melodic voice ringing through the house. "Ms. Price!" I hear the thundering of footsteps following her call as I turn around with confusion still evident across my face.

Sunny barrels past her father and into my arms as I can't help but hug her tight. I really do adore this girl. She is a student that I feel I have actually connected with on a personal level

"Finley, thank you so much for accepting me into your class.. but I never got to talk to you Friday. why?" She asks me, still hugging my side tight. I glance up at her father, who looks pleasantly surprised.

"You know I wouldn't lie to you, Sunny, so I have to tell you.. I found my man cheating on me.. I was barely even at work, just trying to get through the day. So I ran home as soon as I could." I try to explain as best as I can. I don't know how her father would feel about me talking with her like this, but it's these conversations that make our bond strong.

"Are you ok, Finn?" She asks me with so much concern in her voice. "I honestly had multiple bad things happen to me, but surprisingly enough, your father is the one who helped me through most of it... I never got to properly thank you." I say to her but looking straight into his eyes.

"My dad did? That's because he is the best." Sunny says without hesitation. He clears his throat, as he says in his rumbling baritone of a voice. "Let's not leave you outside the whole time, Mrs. Price. Come in and have a seat if you will. I'm almost done cooking dinner." He invites me in with a gesture as I willingly take his invitation. This is a change of events I wasn't expecting.

"Ms. Price.. Thank you.. But.. you cook?" I ask him, looking around the beautiful house before watching him pass by me. I can smell his cedar scent filling my senses, gaining my attention. He looks absolutely amazing and cleaned up with no hat, so I can see all his features perfectly. Those sapphire orbs are perfectly framed by the most gorgeous long dark eye lashes that match his perfectly trimmed beard that I have ever seen at least. His just as dark hair is short on the sides but longer on the top, along with being slicked back. It looks so silky that I can't help but want to run my hand through it.

All of his hair has highlights of gray in it under this light, making him look even more distinguished than before. But the cherry on top to a perfect image is the just tight enough t-shirt he is wearing, showing me how muscular he actually is.

He turns looking at me as he replies, "Yes, I cook every day. But I didn't get to ask you the other day if you were allergic or don't like anything in particular, I'm so sorry about that. Ms. Price."

"You can call me Finley.. and I'm not allergic to anything and will try anything at least once as well, so it's perfectly fine." I reply quickly as he responds just as quickly staring right at me, "Well, that's good because I made a lasagna, with garlic bread and fixings for a salad if you would like?"

"That sounds amazing, so don't worry about me. I like everything and allergic to nothing.. yet." I respond smiling at him as he reciprocates the smile.

"Yea, of course you don't care.. Dad? Finn is the nicest woman ever and probably the easiest to get along with." She says, still glued to my side as I smile big at her responding, "Awe thanks Sunny I would say the same about you, sweetheart." I say, hugging her back as I kiss her temple.

I feel eyes on me as I glance up to see her father staring at me, grinning. "Sunshine, why don't you get changed into something more comfortable." Sunny nods as she lets me go running up the stairs, leaving us alone.

I step closer to him in the kitchen still, as I say. "Before she gets back, I really just have to tell you, thank you.. You'll never know what your acts of kindness meant to me.. Thank you..... wait.. You know my name but I don't know yours."

I watch his beautiful smile grace me with its presence. "My name is Jameson.. Finley.. but don't worry about it, I will always help if I feel someone is in need of it. You didn't deserve that treatment, and he seemed like a complete tool anyway." He states, extending his hand to me to shake, as I willingly take it, still staring straight into his eyes.

"It's such a pleasure to formally meet you, Jameson." I say sweetly as he says softly in response, with him stepping closer. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Finley."