Read Online Lessons of the Heart by Jodie Larson - Free Book Online

direct, like stop thinking dirty thoughts about your teacher.” I glance at the clock and know I need to get going. “Okay, wish me luck. Tell Mom and Dad I’ll be home later.”
    He nods and smiles. “I’ll let them know. Have fun.”
    I stick my tongue out at him before leaving my room. Fun is not exactly how I would classify my plans for the evening.

I SPOT CHASE AS SOON as I walk through the door of Sammy’s. Of course, he would pick something as far away from the public as possible. And a booth no less. So much for wishing for a table to make it less intimate.
    “Hey,” I say, sitting down opposite of him.
    He smiles brightly and gives a small wave. “Hey, glad you could make it.”
    “Why wouldn’t I make it?”
    “You’ve never accepted before so I figured you’d reject me again.”
    He hands me a menu and I briefly glance at it, even though I already know what I’m going to get.
    “So what do you want to work on first?” I ask, trying to keep the conversation about school.
    “Let’s work on that physics test we have at the end of the week. It’s going to be a killer one. What’d she say it was worth?”
    I grab my physics notebook and flip through the pages. “Around twenty percent of our grade or something like that. I know it’s big enough to make me want to ace it.”
    He nods his head and finds his own notes. “Yeah, me too.” He brings his eyes to mine and gets a funny look across his face. “What was up with Mr. Dumont today? He was acting so weird during class. I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Something was off.”
    I fidget with my pencil. “Don’t know. He’s new so maybe we still need to get used to his teaching style.”
    “That could be. I just know he was acting strangely is all. But whatever. All I’m concerned with is passing his class.”
    “Me too. One trimester with him is probably all I could tolerate.” I tilt my head to the side when Chase gives me a funny look. “What?”
    “You never have issues with teachers. Why would he be any different?”
    Shit. I’m going to give myself away. “That’s not what I mean. I don’t have issues with him. I’m just saying that I only need geography for one trimester.”
    Chase seems satisfied with that answer because he doesn’t bring it up again.
    Once our food arrives, we take a break. I eagerly dive into the chicken parmesan sandwich because it’s the best in town. They always make it grilled for me instead of the deep fried breast it’s supposed to come with. But that’s because Sammy, the owner, loves me. He and my dad have been friends for a long time so he always gives me special treatment when I’m here.
    “Do you need more ketchup for your fries?” The ketchup splatters onto his plate as he tries to coax the last of it out.
    “Yeah, but I can just grab another bottle from a different table.”
    I wipe my hands on my napkin and slide out of the booth. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll just go grab a new bottle from up front.”
    “You’re a doll.” The smile he gives me is slightly creepy and it makes me glad I’m moving away from him.
    With the empty bottle in my hand, I wander to the front of the restaurant where our waitress is attending another patron. My steps slow when I get a good look at the person, recognizing the messy brown hair anywhere.
    “Shit,” I mutter to myself.
    Ignoring my impulse to walk past him, I quicken my steps to the front counter and lean forward, draping my arms over the top. Propping my right foot up by my toes, I twist my ass from side to side, a wiggle that I always do when I’m leaning against anything. Normally it’s an unconscious gesture, but I’m made aware of my actions when I hear a loud cough coming from the person I can’t stop thinking about.
    With a glance over my shoulder, I see James staring at my ass. His eyes meet mine and he gives me a full megawatt smile. We hold our gaze just until the waitress appears in front of me and I exchange the empty