35 BLAKE JONES
October 30
The bell rang at 3:45 PM, marking the end of the school day. As students scrambled out of the building from every exit, parents were lining up their cars in the drop-off/pickup lanes near the front entrance. It was time for me to go to work. I walked along the row of vehicles until I spotted the minivan with Paul in the driver’s seat. The thrill of having a moment alone with him rippled through my body as I contemplated whether I felt giddy because of his looks or guarded because of his temper. I opened the door and slipped into the back.
“B.J., how’s it going?” he greeted, twisting around to see me.
“Hi.” I blushed at the sight of his eyes and averted my gaze to the floor.
“You know, you look at me the way my girl does.” His eyes were peering into my soul, a
