Free The Opposite of Love by Sarah Lynn Scheerger

But something about Chase was different, and that scared her.
    â€œIt’s only our first day,” Chase whispered. “I don’t want to get fired just yet.”
    â€œOh, so that means we should wait until the second day to make out on the kitchen counter?” Rose grinned mischievously. “Get real, you dork. I just kissed your cheek. A little harmless flirtation never hurt anyone. Just makes work more fun.”
    Chase twisted and faced her. “Look, Rose, this isn’t a game to me.” He cleared his throat. “I really like you.”
    Rose’s heart skipped a beat, a warning sign. “I like you too.” She averted her eyes and focused on setting all the Dixie cups onto a tray. “Just trying to spice things up.”
    â€œWell, if that’s your goal, you’re doing a good job.” Chase picked up the second tray. “But I’m not sure I can handle all that, uh, spicing and at the same time stay focused on the sixteen preschoolers in the next room. Can we save it for after work?”
    â€œThere is no after work for me, Chase.” Rose tried not to sound whiny. “This is it. I’m grounded.”
    â€œNot forever.”
    â€œYou don’t know the Parsmissions.” Rose carried her tray carefully toward the door. She pushed through it but let it slam closed behind her, right in Chase’s face. She sighed. Maybe Chase didn’t get her after all.

14
    CHASE
    For the next week, Rose seemed to sink within herself. Chase hoped he hadn’t completely blown his chances with her. She seemed like the kind of girl who wouldn’t get burned twice. And he hadn’t meant to burn her. God, he was an idiot. He had the hottest girl in the tenth grade hitting on him, and what did he do? Told her “not now”? Was he clinically insane? He wished he could go back in time and redo that moment. Somehow it came out wrong. Or she took it wrong.
    Chase tried to play it cool and focus on not seeming desperate. Girls didn’t like desperate. Girls liked confident. Aloof. Or so he thought. Because except for a few meaningless make-out sessions in dark hallways at random parties, he hadn’t had a whole lot of experience in the girl department. Maybe if he was more experienced, he’d know how to handle a girl like Rose. But things at work were hopping, and the learning curve was steep, so that helped him occupy his mind. Plus, just being near Rose made his pulse quicken.
    â€œCan I sign out my kids?” A tight-lipped woman tapped her foot and crossed her arms. The kids scrambled up and over to their mother, the little one tripping over an untied shoelace. “Clumsy!” She smacked the kid on the butt, hard enough to look like it stung, but he didn’t flinch. Chase handed her the clipboard silently, biting his lip to keep from saying something rude.
    The last mother slipped in. “Sorry I’m late. I got caught up.” The woman grinned so wide her mouth looked horse-like, showing a row of clear braces. Those things were supposed to be invisible, but they weren’t. Just kind of yellow, but not in a gross way. “I know Rebecca, of course.”
    Becca straightened up. “Chase and Rose, this is Mrs. Rosenberg.” Chase and Rose nodded blankly. “She’s Matthew’s mother and our assistant rabbi at Beth Shalom.”
    A little boy scrambled to his feet, dropping his Matchbox car with a clatter. He squealed, “Mommy!” He moved like a penguin as he toddled toward her.
    â€œI hope he wasn’t too much trouble for you,” Mrs. Rosenberg said almost to herself, not like she really expected an answer. “Come here, little man.” She pulled the boy into her arms and kissed his head. She looked back up at them, her eyes still shining. “Thanks again, guys.” She flashed that wide smile again and headed out the door, whispering to Matthew about dinner and bath time.
    Chase