Own the Eights Gets Married - Krista Sandor Page 0,28
“Everything is covered for story time for the rest of the week. I wanted to make sure you were all right with me reading Eric Carle’s books to the kids.”
This girl was worth her weight in gold.
“That’s perfect, Talya! His books and illustrations are engaging, and the children love his stories. It’s a great choice,” she said as the teen’s cheeks grew a touch pinker.
Talya chewed her lip. “Okay, and one more thing. I have the volunteer list for the kids at my school who can help out during the Shakespeare Shuffle competition,” the girl continued, then handed her a sheet of paper.
“You’re going to be at the race?” Simon asked, his side to side nervous shuffle coming to a halt.
Talya nodded, and the teens stared at each other, neither saying a word.
Georgie cleared her throat. “Talya was kind enough to sign up to volunteer during the race and to recruit kids from the high school to take part and earn service hours.”
“I’m signed up, too,” Simon said, holding Talya’s gaze.
“To volunteer? I don’t remember seeing your name on the list,” the girl replied with a creased brow.
Simon shook his head. “No, I’m competing. I’ll be running and reciting a sonnet.”
“Wow! That’s really epic,” Talya replied, brushing back her bangs again. “I’ll be handing out cups of water to all the runners.”
“That’s epic,” Simon stuttered.
“It’s epic that you’re running. I’ve seen you over at the gym and jogging through the neighborhood,” Talya replied.
Simon’s eyes went cartoon wide. “You have?”
The girl nodded, and Georgie stole a look back at Jordan. With the folder still in place, the man had gone beet-red, trying not to laugh while watching the most awkward conversation ever.
“Did you need to ask Jordan a question, Simon?” Georgie asked, needing to get these kids the hell out of there before she lost it, too.
“Oh, yeah! Mr. Marks, is it okay if we incorporate more upper body workouts for the next couple of days since a bunch of us are putting in the miles training for the run?”
“That would be epic,” Jordan replied.
Georgie threw daggers at her fiancé with her eyes while simultaneously swallowing a belly laugh.
Not an easy feat.
“You work at the gym?” Talya asked Simon through her lashes.
He puffed up his chest. “I help Mr. Marks.”
“That’s epic,” the girl cooed.
“I’ve seen you around the bookshop, you know, doing book stuff,” Simon said, taking the teen awkward level up another notch.
Talya fiddled with the edge of the binder. “Yeah, I help out in the children’s area.”
“That’s totally epic,” Simon answered.
Georgie’s eyes watered as she tried not to laugh. If she heard Simon or Talya say epic one more time, she would totally lose it. She took a breath and willed herself not to giggle.
“Hey, guys, do you know what would be great?” she asked, making damn sure not to use the word epic.
“What?” the teens asked in unison.
Georgie glanced at her watch. “If Simon could walk you home, Talya. It’s about time for you to go.”
“Yeah, sure! I’d be happy to walk Talya home. That would be—” Simon said, but Georgie cut him off.
“Super terrific! You better hit the road,” she supplied.
The teens headed toward the front of the store, and she closed the door and met Jordan’s gaze.
“Can I say it?” he asked with a naughty glint in his eyes.
“Don’t you dare!” she warned.
Jordan dropped the folder and came out from behind the desk. He gathered her into his arms. “Georgie Jensen, you are totally epic.”
“OMG, you’re like totally epic, too,” she said as they dissolved into a bout of laughter.
She rested her head against his chest and listened to the beat of his heart.
“Hey, Miss Jensen?” he said, running his hand down her back.
She looked up, ready for another round of epic giggles, but found her fiancé with a serious expression.
“Yes, Mr. Marks?”
He stroked her cheek as his gaze grew tender. “I love you.”
This man.
She stared into his eyes—the eyes of her Marks Perfect Ten asshat turned her More than Just a Number fiancé. She could barely believe this man was going to be her husband.
“I love you, too,” she said, pushing up onto her tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek when their phones chimed.
Jordan leaned in, and their lips hovered a breath apart.
“You know what’s not going to be epic?” he asked.
“What?” she said on a dreamy sigh.
He pulled back and kissed her forehead. “Being late to boot camp.”
“Do you think we’ll be okay?” she asked.
A wide grin stretched across his face. “Georgiana,