Suze's POV
December
"Well, you look happy this fine afternoon," Josefina said as we walked through the school's main hallway together. "What in the world happened to make you so…cheerleader girl today?"
My smile widened. "I'm going to ignore that cheerleader comment, which would normally offend me, but only because I am extremely happy today. I just found an apartment yesterday, finally. And the best part is that it's non-smoking." I rolled my eyes. "Paul took up the habit last year, and now I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke. It's disgusting, like him."
"When are you moving in?"
"Two weeks from tomorrow. I love my mom and Andy, and it's been really great spending time with them, but I'm ready to be in my own place. It'll be my first time in my own apartment. When I graduated high school, Paul and I moved in together right away. And this complex is really nice, and fairly cheap. It's got its own pool and tennis courts. How awesome is that?"
Josefina nodded, stopping outside her classroom. "Wicked awesome. That's completely understandable, wanting to be independent. Kudos to you. Hey, I have an idea. Do you have any objections to coming over to my place tonight? We can grade papers together." She waggled her eyebrows, as if suggesting that we should watch dirty movies or something.
I smiled, and said, "Sure." I shook my head and added, making my voice husky, "There's nothing that screams sexy as much as getting together with a friend to grade papers."
"I know, right? Nothing gets my blood hotter than having that red correction pen in hand," she said with a laugh. Then her face fell. "Oh, crap. I forgot that I'm watching my niece tonight. Would you still be willing to come over, even with a four-year-old running around and most likely not letting us actually get any work done?" She clasped her hands together and jutted out her lower lip. "Please, Suze? I could really use the help."
I sighed. "Okay, fine. Why are you watching her tonight? I thought your mom usually did that."
"Well, yeah, but she had something else going on, a book club I think, so I offered. Jesse should be dropping Cat off here soon. You'll absolutely love her. She's a cutie."
"How's your little nephew doing? He's a week old now, right?"
"He is. He's so sweet. He doesn't even cry very much, which my sister is very grateful about. He definitely got Benedict's pale-as-snow skin, but Marta's brown eyes. He's still bald, so we don't know what color of hair he'll have. I'm guessing he'll be blonde, like his dad."
"That sounds cute – wow," I murmured, seeing a very attractive man walking toward us. He was just a little over six feet tall. Brown, smooth skin. Eyes so dark they were almost black. Crisp, black hair. Muscled chest peeking through the top of his partly unbuttoned shirt. Holding his hand was a little girl who looked almost exactly like him. It could only be Josefina's older brother and niece. "You didn't tell me that your brother was so…gorgeous," I hissed. That was an understatement. I didn't think there was a word that existed that could do this man justice. He was the personification of male perfection.
Josefina just laughed. She winked at me. "He is, isn't he? It runs in the family."
"Auntie Josie!" the little girl cried, as soon as she saw us. Releasing her father's hand, she raced to her aunt.
Josefina smiled and scooped her up. "Hello, Catarina. It's good to see you again."
Catarina glanced my way before whispering loudly, "Who is that?"
"She is a very good friend of mine."
The man smiled warmly at me, having caught up with his young daughter. Wow, even his teeth were perfect. I mean, sure, he had a scar running through one of his eyebrows, but that somehow just made him even more beautiful. "Would I be wrong to assume that you are the new teacher my sister has befriended, Susannah Simon?"
I nodded, suddenly unable to get my throat to work. His voice was so…silky.
"I'm Jesse," he said, holding out his hand. His big, strong-looking hand. It was a nice hand. I could imagine that hand caressing my cheeks, my hair, holding my own hand.
I came out of my daydreams and shook it, finally finding my voice. "It's very nice to meet you."
"Same to you, Susannah." I loved the way he said my name. I usually preferred to be called by my nickname, but when Jesse said Susannah, I melted. It was very…seductive. And I didn't think he was even trying to make it sound that way! How unfair. But man, did I love my name on his tongue. I would have to make it happen more often…
Wait.
What was wrong with me? I didn't even know this guy. I mean, sure, he was hot as hell, but come on. This was the first time I'd ever met him. I should not have been obsessing over him. He was my best friend's brother! Isn't there some kind of rule against that? Not that I would know, since my only dating experience was with Paul Slater. Not really something to be proud of. Dating only Paul, I mean.
He smiled apologetically then. "I would love to stay and talk, but I really do need to get to work. Catarina."
The young girl looked at him. "Yes, Daddy?"
"Behave yourself for Aunt Josefina."
She nodded. "I will, I promise."
He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, smiling so lovingly that I swear I swooned a little. My knees gave out just a bit, and if I hadn't touched the wall for support, I might have fallen. "I will see you later, princesa. Josie, here's her overnight bag. I get off at six tomorrow morning. I'll pick her up shortly after that."
"All right. Drive safe."
"I will." He gave his daughter another kiss and left.
Josie smiled down at Catarina. "Are you ready to have some fun with me and Suze?"
"Soose is coming?" Catarina asked. It was cute, the way she said my name wrong.
"Yes."
"Okay. Can I paint her nails?"
"You'll have to ask her that," Josefina said with a laugh.
The little girl looked at me and smiled. "Soose? Can I? Pretty, pretty please?"
I smiled. Honestly, who could resist that face? I know I couldn't. "Sure you can. I'll let you paint my nails. I'll even let you paint my toenails. And you can pick whatever color you want."
Catarina gave her aunt a brilliant smile. "I like her. She's a keeper."
