Not Your Cinderella

Chapter 2- She Smiles and Walks Away

Jake's POV:

~The day before school starts~

"Welcome back Jake!" My best friend Browdy Evans says with a grin. We walk together into a meeting full of the other professors of the University, Grand Valley State University to be exact. I want to be a teacher, but I'm still going to school so right now I'm just an assistant to Browdy. 

"So Evans, are you 'married' this semester?" Our other friend Tony James asks.

"Yeah. That was my best idea ever. I don't get half as many young girls hitting on me.You two should try it," Browdy says smiling. 

"Maybe I like seeing the desperate part of my target market," I say with a wink. 

"Lewis I'd rather not hear this," Dr. Jensen the university president says with a grin. 

"Yes sir." We sit through a rather boring lunch and meeting about the upcoming school year.

"Jake, you wanna go out later?" Tony questions. 

"Sure thing babe. Pick me up at 8, I'll be wearing that red number you like," I wink. 

"Oh good lord. Lewis it's going to be another long year," Dr. Jensen says shaking his head. He knows we are kidding, but plays along. 

"Dr. Jensen, you hired him," Tony tells him. 

"I only regret his face, I've heard it's gorgeous in the lights of the clubs.. Anyway his teaching skills are phenominal.." Dr. Jensen tells the boys laughing. 

"Thanks Doc. I gotta go my babygirl should be calling soon."

"See you at 8 babe!" Tony yells loudly. 

As I reach the parking garage and unlock my yellow jeep wrangler, my phone rings as if on command.  I grew up in a small town in Georgia, until high school when my parents moved up to Michigan. I got in trouble like most boys and made some mistakes, one of which caused a little girl to be brought into the world. My daughter lives with my parents until I finish college this semester. Her being an hour away kills, but I set up a time everyday for her to call me.  She's three, but using a phone is so easy to her. 

"Dadddy!"

"Hi babygirl!"

"How's school?" Her adorable voice questions. It instantly makes me miss her even more.

"Boring. I wish I was there playing dolls with you!"

"Daddy, we'd be playing Candy Land or reading good books like If you take a Mouse to School," she says and I can almost hear a smile in her voice.

"So Issy, have you been good to Mammy and Pappy?"

"Yes Daddy. I always am good to them. Mammy wants to talk to you."

"Ok. Isabella, I'll be there in four more sleeps ok?"

"Yes Daddy. Love you!"

"Love you too Issy!"

"Jake!" My mom yells excitedly into the phone. 

"Hi Mom."

"How was your meeting?"

"It was ok. I'm going out with the guys tonight."

"That's good you need to go out, but Jake be careful."

"I know Mom. How was my girl today?"

"She was a handful as always. She wanted to play outside, but her allergies are so bad I can't let her."