Free Nolan's Evolution by Sarah Brocious

that.”
                  Melinda shrugged, not seeming to want to talk about it. “Let’s plan on that coffee,” she continued. “Maybe you can tell me a little about your Nolan.”
                  Raina bit her lip. “Well, technically not my Nolan,” she corrected. “But yes…I’d like to tell you more about him.”
                  She gave Melinda a parting smile.
    “Call me, Raina!”
                  Raina smiled, glancing down at the remaining lesson plans she had.
                  “Oh, hello,” she heard Melinda greet someone.
                  Raina barely glanced up.
                  “Hmmm, making friends I see. Very nice.”
                  Raina’s head snapped up to find the green eyed one in the doorway. She gave him a smile. “Recess is over Thanatos. My students will be coming back.”
                  He nodded, entering anyway. “Just came by to deliver a message.”
                  Her eyes widened. “You heard from him?” Her heart rate accelerated. She hurried to meet him halfway. “Is he okay? Tell me where he is.”
                  He grinned down on her. “He’s okay Raina. I have told you not to worry.”
                  She bit her lip. “Because you know where he is…but I do not! How can I not worry if I have no idea where he is? If he’s safe?”
                  He frowned. “You can trust that I am telling you the truth. Would I lie to you beautiful?” His green eyes softened on her.
                  Raina sighed. “Old Thanatos or new Thanatos?”
                  He growled, but gave her a grin anyway. “Nolan is fine. My message, by the way is not from him. It always comes back to him, doesn’t it?”
                  She blushed. “I can’t help it!”
                  “I know,” he chuckled.
                  Raina sat on the corner of her desk and crossed her arms. “So you have a message from whom? A message you couldn’t leave in a voicemail or a text?”
                  The green eyes darkened. “I came by to see you and tell you. That is okay isn’t it?”
                  “Sure, it’s fine,” she sighed.
                  He nodded. “Good. So, the message is not from Nolan. It’s from Bradley.”
                  Her blue eyes lifted to his. “What message does Bradley send?”
                  He grinned. “That if you don’t see Emily soon, the poor girl is going to go nuts! Literally nuts!”
                  Raina laughed at this. “Well, it just so happens I am planning on asking her to coffee. She has to meet my new friend Melinda!”
                  Thanatos looked pleased. “Melinda? The cute little blonde I just saw leave?”
                  “She’s married,” Raina growled.
                  He held up his hands in surrender. “Just sayin’ she had a pretty little aura.”
                  Raina smiled at this. “I knew she would!” She gave him a stern eye. “Now if you will excuse me…I have children to attend to! I promise I’ll call Em after I finish.”
                  The green eyes lit up. “Best news I’ve heard in a long time beautiful.”
     
                  Bitter Sweet
     
    "Now before your new friend arrives, Raina Foster, you are going to tell us what is going on." Emily demanded. “I know Nolan is gone, Bradley told me about the resignation!"
                  Raina shrugged and sipped her coffee and she waved them off. "He's just going through something right now."
                  "That boy is always going through something," Emily sighed. "I start liking him, and then he pulls a stunt."
                  Donna nodded agreement.