Her Kind of Man

Makayla and Desiree watched him leave. When he was a safe distance away, Desiree said, “That man is something else. Fine and smart. Too bad I’m not single!”

“I can’t believe I did that!” Makayla shook her head at her folly. “He probably thinks I’m a klutz!”

“I doubt that. Did you see the way he was checking you out?”

Makayla looked down at the bench to ensure it was dry before retaking her seat. “Kenyon Blake is way out of my league.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I’m serious.”

“You’d better get that man before some else does. Men like Kenyon are hard to come by. He’s hot, down-to-earth and he has a kick-ass sense of humor.” Desiree grinned. “Did I mention he was fine?”

Makayla laughed. “Okay, so he’s a great guy, but that doesn’t mean I want to date him. I’m in a good place right now and I don’t need a man complicating my life.”

“Go out with him.”

“No.”

“Why the hell not?”

“For starters, I’m his nephew’s teacher. How would that look?”

“Like you were trying to get some!” Laughing, she took a healthy bite of her turkey burger. “Don’t use that as an excuse. There’s nothing in the school conduct manual that prohibits teachers from dating parents or family members.”

Desiree made a valid point but not one that Makayla was willing to consider. “Do I have to remind you what happened with Jared?”

“No, thanks. I’ve heard that pitiful tale too many times to count.”

“Good, so you of all people should understand my reluctance to get involved with another parent.” Makayla picked up her fork and popped a crouton into her mouth. Against her better judgment, she had started dating Jared Lewis, a regular parent volunteer. The divorced father of two had swept her off her feet. Dinner at upscale restaurants, tokens of his affection and elaborate dates had been the norm. Within weeks, they were addicted to jalapeño pizza and talked endlessly about their future.

When one of her co-workers ran into them at a charity baseball game, the truth about their relationship had ripped through the school like a midafternoon snowstorm. Neither of his children were in her class, but when word got out that they were dating, Makayla had been shunned by her colleagues. It was as if she had broken some cardinal rule no one had told her about.