When Robbie entered the building, all the teams had already debated, and the winners chosen. He weaved through parents and students, anxiety building with each passing second.

He'd just finished combing through the lobby when he glimpsed the dark hair and pretty mouth that had been haunting his thoughts.

Daisy was talking animatedly to someone, and when she laughed, Robbie's steps faltered, accidentally bumping into a student.

Wait, was she talking to Gabe?

His brother was adoringly beaming up at her, triumphantly holding a trophy, oblivious to his worry.

He marched up to them, noting how the color drained from Gabe's face, but Ms. Johnson's lit up seeing him. His words were still harsh even though his tension lessened.

"What are you doing with my brother?" Robbie demanded without preamble.

"Well, good night to you, too." Daisy didn't hide her irritation. Why did he dislike her so? "I gave him a ride just like-" and she trailed off as Robbie's face turned to an expression of cold fury.

"You did what?" Robbie's voice was a spear of ice.

"The school district debate final?" Daisy was unsettled and looked to Gabe for backup. "I was Gabe's ride? That was the plan because you had to work, right?"

"First time I'm hearing about it," Robbie folded his arms. "Why is that?"

Daisy's confusion was transforming into fear, as she looked from an irate Robbie to an alarmed Gabe. At the stricken expression on her student's face, the churning in the pit of her stomach transformed into a terrifying dread. Did she take a minor to the town over without their guardian's approval?

The fear intensified and crystalized, but she wouldn't break.

Inhaling, she straightened her spine, even as her lower lip trembled.

"Gabe needed a ride," she stared Robbie down, clenching her shaking hands. "If there's a problem, make an appointment to see me on Monday." She took one last glance at Gabe, before hurrying away.

But she would deal with this, she'd dealt with worse mistakes that cost her more.

Robbie exhaled, turning to Gabe. His brother was frozen, staring at Ms. Johnson's retreating figure.

"What the hell is going on?" Robbie's anger was mounting.

"Is Ms. Johnson in trouble?" Gabe winced.

"Ms. Johnson is the least of your concerns," Robbie was trying to keep his voice down but failing. This is what he dreaded, keeping control of Gabe as he got older.

"Um, she thought it was okay to take me?" Gabe hedged. "I think Mr. Canelo told her that?"

"Huh?" Robbie was confused. "Why would he say that? And why would you think that?"

Gabe shrugged, looking everywhere but at his brother.

Robbie sighed. "I'm going to find her and get some answers."

"No!" Gabe grabbed Robbie's hand. "I'm accustomed to you, but you'll scare her with the way you act. Call Mr. Canelo."

Robbie tried to ignore the flash of hurt. "I'm not a monster, Gabe." Robbie's voice hitched. "I just want to protect you."

"Protect me from what? Things that can get me into college?" Gabe snapped. "I'm not the one that needs protecting, you are!"

"Gabe, I…"

"No!" Gabe cut him off. "You make everything about you, when I'm the one who has to sneak behind your back for school. That's not right."

"I'm just afraid of what could happen," Robbie defended himself.

"Robbie, I love you," Gabe said, "But that's your fear not mine. You deal with it and don't put it on me."

Robbie didn't know what to say, the night was progressively spiraling downward.

"Call Mr. Canelo," Gabe interrupted his thoughts. "Ms. Johnson's the only person who doesn't think you're a complete jackass, so don't ruin that." And Gabe rolled away.

Exhaling, Robbie did as he was instructed, unsure how he became the villain.

His boss was having dinner with Mrs. Canelo, their Friday tradition, but he still answered Robbie's call. True to form, he unrepentantly explained his part in the charade, then warned Robbie to not be too upset with Ms. Johnson for driving Gabe.

"Why would I be upset with her?" Robbie was getting agitated now. Did the people closest to him really think he was cruel? "She's the one that got lied to by my boss and brother."

"You should take her to dinner to apologize," Canelo recommended smoothly. "Somewhere romantic. Wear a suit."

Robbie couldn't help it, he laughed, drawing glances his way. He loved this old man, no matter how meddlesome he was.

"Pásatela bien, jefe," he said, purposefully avoiding Canelo's meddling.

"Yo siempre paso buenos ratos con mi esposa," Canelo deftly guided Robbie's change of subject back to the important matter at hand.

Robbie hung up before his boss started listing more benefits of finding a wife.

He needed to find Daisy.

Daisy was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard outside the building, trying to collect herself. She heard the crunch of gravel and because this was a night from hell, it was Robbie. She studied her hands intently, not daring to look up. Her cuticles were a mess, she probably needed to schedule a manicure while she still had a job.

"I'm sorry," Robbie's voice pierced the quiet. He hesitated, then sat next to her. "I was out of line back there."

"No, you weren't." Daisy cleared her throat and bit her lip to keep from crying.

He didn't refute her statement, and after a few moments, he got up and left. Daisy covered her mouth with her fist, and let the tears fall, crying silently. This was one clusterfuck of a night and she might get fired for it.

Footsteps sounded, and to her embarrassment, he had returned. Daisy hoped her tears wouldn't show in the moonlight.

He approached, and standing before her, he offered a rag. "It's clean." His hands were strong and veined, with grease under his fingernails.

She tentatively took it, taking care to not look up. It was a worn shop cloth, that looked curiously bright white in some places but heavily stained in others. It smelled like sunny laundry detergent and was surprisingly soft.

She was afraid to wipe her eyes, so she fingered the threads on its edges. Wiping her eyes would somehow confirm that nagging fear, that she was a fraud wanting to help others when she couldn't make good decisions herself.

Suddenly, Robbie knelt down, and taking the rag from her hands, he gently dried her cheeks. He smelled like the same laundry detergent and car grease and sweat. He must've come straight from work, Daisy thought.

"Gabe's grounded for lying," Robbie's voice rumbled near her ear.

"Yeah, I might get grounded too from my Principal," she tried to joke, but her voice cracked.

"Don't worry about it. No harm, no foul." Satisfied her face was dry, Robbie sat down, careful not to encroach on her personal space.

"It's not as simple as that," Daisy's eyes filled again. "I'm the teacher. If there was a lawsuit for the district, and it would've been my fault."

"But there won't be," Robbie soothed. "I'm sorry if I scared you. I was worried about my brother."

Daisy nodded.

"And here's my number," he added on impulse. "Call me if you need anything with Gabe."

"Yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you for weeks now," Daisy cleared her throat. She pulled out her phone, and they exchanged numbers. Days ago, this would have been a highlight, scoring his digits. Now she just felt incompetent.

Robbie stood up, leaving the rag on the bench. "It's getting late and I have work in the morning. I should go." He took one last look and then left again.

"Wait!" Daisy stood up, shakily. "I'm sorry Mr. Reyes," she apologized, looking him straight in his eye.

Her eyes filled again, and he realized she was more upset than he thought.

"Call me Robbie," he corrected her, gently. "And there's nothing to be sorry for. I promise."

She forced a smile and was turning away when he made a decision.

"Daisy?" he said her name tentatively. She stopped and faced him, the moonlight illuminating her brown eyes.

"Your students are lucky to have a teacher that cares." Robbie cleared his throat. "And I am lucky that Gabe has you. Thank you for taking him when I couldn't."

The tension seeped out of her with his words, and Robbie wished he could hug her; she looked like she needed one.

"That's very sweet of you to say," her voice was husky.

"It's the truth," Robbie said. "Sorry I was so rude when you came to the shop." He grimaced remembering what an ass he was. No wonder people thought he was harsh.

Daisy searched his face, seeing too much.

"How about we start over?" she gave a watery smile, walking back to him. "Hi, my name is Daisy." She extended her hand.

"Hi Daisy," Robbie's lips curved into a smile. "I'm Robbie." He took her hand and it was as soft as he'd imagined it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Robbie," she said, her eyes not leaving his face.

"Can I take you out to dinner? As a thank you?" He was glad for the darkness because he could feel his cheeks burning.

Daisy's smile turned into a grin. "Yes!" she exclaimed. "I mean, sure. Dinner sounds great. Um, let me know what Gabe likes." She looked expectantly at him.

"I was thinking just me and you." Robbie was feeling more confident now, with the way she was looking up at him. He still held her hand.

"I'd love for it to just be me and you," she murmured, and her cheeks flamed.

They were inches apart, and a cloud covered the moon. As is became darker, Robbie leaned in, taken in by the night and by her.

A second chance was a lovely thing.

"Hey Robbie! I was looking for you!" Gabe's voice broke their moment and Robbie and Daisy jumped apart.

Gabe hid a smile as he rolled towards them.

"Did I interrupt something?" he asked slyly, the earlier spat with Robbie forgotten. He saw how guilty the couple was looking, and he decided to use it to his advantage. "I can just leave to give you two some privacy," he offered magnanimously. He needed some leverage to make sure he didn't get into too much trouble, later.

Robbie was stammering out an apology, but Daisy wasn't cowed.

"I was just about to talk to your brother about that note I mailed home because the first two magically disappeared." Ms. Johnson's tone was all business and she fixed Gabe with a hard stare. "So, no need to leave."

"I-uh." Gabe stammered. Robbie was looking on, perplexed.

"Gabe got selected for an internship with college credit over summer. He got a partial scholarship for the tuition portion," Daisy explained. "It was super competitive. He's the only kid in the district who got accepted."

"That's amazing Gabe," Robbie praised his brother.

"Yeah, but I can't go," Gabe's face fell. "The metro doesn't go that far. And even if I can get there, how can we afford it?"

"That's not for you to worry about," Robbie spoke softly. "That's my job."

"And mine, too." Daisy chimed in. "Literally, it's my job. I just need Robbie's permission to apply for grants on your behalf."

"Robbie's permission?" Gabe didn't like them ganging up on him. "Like you did tonight?"

"¡Cállate, Gabriel!" Robbie cut his brother off, incensed at how rude he was towards Daisy. He needed to get Gabe home, immediately. They started walking away when Robbie turned back to Daisy who was looking on wistfully.

"When can I call you?" he asked, not caring that Gabe was overhearing their exchange.

"Anytime," she quirked a smile.

He noticed her dress for the first time. It was black, and at first glance looked like a polka dot pattern, but it was tiny cupcakes. Her lips were a faded red and though she looked tired, she was more beautiful in that moment than he had ever thought.

Robbie decided right then that she would forever deserve every scrap of goodness he could muster.

Pásatela bien, jefe= Have a good time, boss

Yo siempre paso buenos ratos con mi esposa= I always have a good time with my wife