shook his head. “Not—well, yeah, it crossed my mind. You did say yes rather on the spur of the moment.”
“I’m a spontaneous kind of guy.”
Toby glanced at him. Was he serious?
Ernest said, “So why don’t you prepare me for the people I’ll be meeting.”
“Okay. Mrs. Emily Hamilton is our Vice Principal. She owns the house where the party’s taking place. Our headmaster is Ron Cordoza. I’m not sure who all to expect. Maybe the Admissions Director and the Academic Director who are Beverly and James Auchincloss. Obviously married to each other.”
“Not so obviously. They could be twins.” He flashed some teeth.
Toby laughed. “Yeah. I’m sure everyone will have their spouses. Probably not children. I didn’t get the idea it was a kid-included party. Oh and the head of the English department, my direct boss, Victoria Hammersmith will be there.”
“Who’s your competition? You know, so I can go spill a drink on them or something.”
“As far as I know, it’s a guy named Justin Codswalitter. He started a little before me. I hear he’s an okay teacher, but he’s a masterful politician and really knows how to play the game. I’m sure he’ll be there with his beautiful wife, Tanya.”
“I hate him already.”
“Thanks.”
“Why are they so hung up on marriage?”
Toby braked for the traffic after he sped onto the 405 Freeway and shrugged, even though Ernest wasn’t watching. “It’s a pretty conservative school. Upstanding apple-pie values and all that.”
“But they know you’re gay?”
“Yep. I got the feeling that actually enhanced my chances. They believe in diversity and giving the kids exposure to a lot of different cultures and beliefs, but they still want stability. I think they like to show that you can make a solid life no matter where you come from.” Toby chuckled. “Of course, it probably doesn’t hurt that I can quote the Sermon on the Mount from memory.”
“Blessed are the cheesemakers?”
“You know, I’ve never seen that movie. Where I came from, it was anathema. But it always sounded funny.”
“We’ll have to rent it sometime.”
The future tense associated with sometime produced a string of goosebumps from Toby’s arms to his ass. “Uh, it’s really a nice school and a great job, if I get it. Good benefits and more stability than Molly and I are used to. I’d love to secure the position, but my single state has pretty much ruled it out. I figure if they find out I’m not engaged, I shoot to the bottom of the pack.”
Ernest glanced at him. “We’ll see if we can’t assure first place today.”
Toby could have passed out from the rush of happiness.
He pulled off the freeway at one of the Irvine exits and his phone GPS gave him directions to a gate-guarded community he entered from Sand Canyon. Giving Mrs. Hamilton’s name to the guard produced immediate access, and he pulled through into an upscale pocket community that still reflected the pseudo-Spanish architecture, strict tidiness, and jammed-together lots that were the hallmark of Irvine, even when the homes cost in the multi-millions. The butterfly factor in Toby’s stomach was reaching aeronautic proportions.
Ernest said, “No home out of place.”
Toby snorted. “Yeah, it’s a little regimented for my taste.”
The GPS said, “Your destination is ahead on the right.”
Despite the specific directions, the houses were so similar that Toby still had to look for the address to be sure he had the right house. Fortunately, a senior teacher he knew from school was walking in with a woman and he cast an interested look toward Toby before he disappeared through the front door.
Toby let out a long audible breath. “Show time.”
Ernest turned to him and put a hand on his arm. “Don’t be nervous. We got this.” He smiled. “Now just in case anyone happens to be looking through the living room windows.” Before Toby could even squawk in recognition of the move, Ernest leaned forward and kissed Toby lightly on the lips.
Toby caught his breath at the same time the softest, butterfly-wing caress touched his mouth. Ernest pulled back and Toby whispered, “Oh. Oh my.”
“Perfect. That should give them a little something to talk about.” He turned on the seat, opened the squeaky car door, stepped out, and again, pre-empting Toby’s ability to cognize and move at the same time, he circled the car and opened Toby’s door.
Toby managed a shocked smile. “Shouldn’t that be my move?”
“My turn this time.” He leaned closer. “And don’t look so shocked. They’ll think I don’t spoil you all the time.”
“Do you really think they’re