The Teacher - A Forbidden Romance

Chapter 13 - I wasn't expecting that ...

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

I wasn't expecting that ...

Alexis

"Hey handsome," I say the minute Damon picks up the phone.

"Hey. This isn't a good time, Alexis. Can I call you back?" Damon's reply surprises me, he sounds agitated.

"Sure. I was just calling to let you know I arrived home safely, like you asked me too."

"Great. Thank you. One less thing I have to worry about." What does he mean by that?

"Is everything okay?" I ask, concern lining my voice.

"No. No it's not. But I don't want to worry you." Oh like that comments going to make me worry less. "Damon, what's going on?"

"I'm on the way to the Art Gallery ... there's been a fire."

"What? Our gallery?"

"Yes."

"Shit. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Alex—" I hear him say just as I end the call. Crap. I didn't mean to hang up on him, but I'm in a state of panic. I love that place. If my painting 'New Beginnings' has been lost or damaged, I'll be devastated ... crushed.

Grabbing my purse off the counter, I rush towards the front door. I don't even allow myself time to put my groceries away. I bought some food at the market while I was out, so I could make a nice dinner for Damon when he got here. My phone rings as I'm running down the stairs. Shoving my hand into my bag, I fish it out. Looking down, I see Damon's name flashing on the screen. "Hey," I say breathlessly. "I'm heading to the bus stop now."

"You don't have to come."

"I want to."

"Okay. I'll turn around and come and get you. I'm only ten minutes from your place."

"Damon ..." I pause briefly. This is an emergency, but there's no way I can get in the car with him. "I appreciate that, but I'd rather get the bus."

"Shit. I'm sorry, Alexis. I'm not thinking straight at the moment."

"It's okay. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Call me the moment you get off the bus, and for God sakes stay away for that damn laneway. I don't want anything happening to you."

"Okay." I love that he cares about my welfare. The more I get to know this man, the deeper I fall. Given my past, that scares me, but I can't let that stop me from having a future. I don't know where this thing with Damon and I is going, maybe nowhere. But I'm going to enjoy having him in my life for as long, or as little as he wants to be here. I hope it's a long time. Since meeting him, my life has become so much richer. It's been years since I've felt so ... happy.

My heart thumps furiously against my rib cage as I approach the gallery. There's police and firetrucks everywhere. The front of the building is cordoned off with police tape. Pulling my phone out of my bag, I dial Damon's number. He picks up after a few rings.

"Hey. I'm here. I can't see you," I say, looking around the crowd that has gathered.

"Are you out the front?"

"Yes."

"Hold on, I'll come and get you." I'm surprised when I see him exit the front of the building. I wasn't expecting him to be inside. Maybe the university is connected with the gallery somehow. I smile the second he notices me. I love the way his face lights up when he sees me. Boy, he's so handsome. Just the sight of him sends my heart into a flutter. "She's with me," he says to the officer as he lifts up the police tape so I can climb under.