Chapter 1: Introduction
The classroom smelled like crayons and sunshine.
Chad stepped inside, his sneakers squeaking against the polished floor, and immediately regretted wearing jeans. The room was a riot of color—paintings taped to the walls, alphabet letters in rainbow hues, and a corner filled with stuffed animals that looked like they’d been loved a little too hard. A group of tiny humans in oversized T-shirts were gathered around a table, their faces smeared with what he hoped was apple sauce.
And then there was *her*.
Florence stood near the coat hooks, her back to him, her dark hair pulled into a messy bun that somehow looked intentional.
She was talking to a little girl in a polka-dot dress, her voice soft but carrying just enough warmth to make the words feel like a hug. Chad watched the way her hips swayed slightly as she bent down to adjust the girl’s shoe, the fabric of her dress stretching just enough to hint at the curves beneath.
He cleared his throat.
She turned, and the moment their eyes met, something electric passed between them—just a flicker, but enough to make him wonder if he’d imagined it.
“You must be Chad,” she said, straightening up with a smile that was all teeth and dimples. “I’m Florence. Your son’s been a little angel today.”
Chad raised an eyebrow.
"A little angel? That’s a first." He glanced around the room, noting the finger-paint masterpieces and the tiny chairs arranged in a perfect semicircle. "I was expecting a report on how many times he climbed the bookshelf."
Florence laughed, a sound that was warm and effortless, like melted caramel. "Oh, he did that. But he also shared his snack with the class and helped clean up the blocks. I’d say that’s angelic behavior."
Chad smirked. "Either that, or he’s bribing you for future favors."
She tilted her head, her dark eyes glinting with amusement.
"You think he’s that clever, huh?"
Chad shrugged, sliding his hands into his pockets. "I’ve seen the way he negotiates for extra screen time. The kid’s got a future in politics."
Florence chuckled, brushing a stray curl behind her ear. "Well, he *did* promise to behave if I let him wear his dinosaur hat all day. I couldn’t say no to that face."
Chad’s gaze flicked to the coat rack, where a tiny blue hat with a T-Rex head sat perched on a hook. "That’s his favorite. He’s convinced it makes him invisible."
"Works for him," she said, grinning.
"I think we should all be so lucky—one magical hat and all our problems disappear."
Chad laughed, the sound rich and warm, and Florence felt something flutter in her chest. There was something about the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, like he was in on a secret. She glanced at the clock on the wall. The other parents had already come and gone, and the room was quiet now except for the distant hum of a vacuum cleaner from the hallway.
"Looks like we’re the last ones," she said, nodding toward the empty benches where the other kids had been picked up.
Chad followed her gaze, then turned back to her with a slow, easy smile.