connect with him again, somehow. But I’m not going to. I do have some restraint. I mean, I’m trying to teach his son how to have some restraint, for crying out loud.
I’m not going to email him.
I definitely won’t.
Chapter Eleven
FROM: [email protected]
Subject: Hello
Dear Mr. Vega,
I felt it was necessary to follow up today’s meeting, since we were not able to speak candidly in front of your son.
I would like to make it clear, if it wasn’t obvious, that I was shocked to discover that you are Ryder’s dad. I had not Googled you before, so I did not put a face to the name. Given that your ex-wife will be out of the country for several more months and you are currently his primary caregiver and family contact, I’m sure you understand that it’s important we establish proper boundaries and etiquette. Going forward, I think it would be best if we just put things behind us and pretend that we met in person for the first time today.
Your son is a very bright (flirtatious and talkative) student, and I’m sure that since his education is a top priority for both of us, I can count on you to respectfully refrain from grinning at me with that full mouth, using a flirtatious tone of voice, and undressing me with your annoyingly expressive chocolate brown eyes if we should happen to interact with each other again in the future.
Thanks so much,
Miss Stiles
TO: Emilia Stiles
FROM: Alex Vega
Subject: Well, hello again…
Dear Miss Stiles,
Great to hear from you.
I find it interesting that you chose to contact me regarding this matter using your personal email address instead of the school email address that you had previously used.
To be clear—I was also surprised to discover that you are Ryder’s teacher. It is also interesting to me that the school has not included a photograph of you on the website. Perhaps this is to discourage single parents like myself from trying to date you.
It sounds like you have recently Googled me. Please know that I personally do not consider myself to be one of Hollywood’s hottest bachelors. I’m an amazing dad first, wildly talented director second, irresistible and very much available single man third.
My son’s education is indeed a top priority. As such, I respectfully agree to refrain from doing all of the aforementioned things in the likely event that we shall interact with each other again in the future. Furthermore, I agree to limit my thoughts of you sucking frosting off of my thumb to between five and fifty times a day. But I would be remiss if I did not mention just how pretty you look when you wear those glasses with your hair up.
I cannot, however, promise that I will stop thinking about that kiss at that club this summer. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it for the past month.
It’s interesting how humorless and uptight you are about my son’s totally awesome personality, given that I have personally witnessed just how flirtatious and talkative you yourself can be when mildly intoxicated.
You’re very welcome,
Alex
P.S. I just volunteered to be the parent chaperone for your next field trip. See you then.
P.P.S. I like the name Emilia even more than I like the name Emmy. It suits you.
P.P.P.S. I like it when you call me Mr. Vega. Please continue to do that.
TO: ALEX VEGA
FROM: EMILIA STILES
Re: No, it is not interesting.
Dear Ryder’s Dad,
Please remove yourself as parent chaperone for the field trip.
Thank you in advance,
Miss Stiles
P.S. Please understand that I didn’t email you from my personal email because I intended for our emails to get personal. I simply did not want to address “the issue” from my school account. Thanks for understanding.
P.P.S. I didn’t actually read any of the online articles about you, or stare at the many, many images that came up when I did a search. I merely felt it was necessary to do some preliminary background research on the person who seems to have a great deal of influence on one of my students. Your Hot Hollywood Bachelorness is of no interest to me unless it affects your son’s education.
TO: EMILIA STILES
FROM: ALEX VEGA
Re: I’m not in the habit of breaking my commitments
Dear Emilia,
I have no intention of removing myself as chaperone. I pulled out of a couple of projects so that I can be more present for Ryder while his mother’s out of town. This will be a great new way to spend time with him.
And I do want to mention…