Free Needs A Little TLC (Spinning Hills Romance 2) by Inés Saint Page A

have a concussion.” Much to Cassie’s annoyance, Jessica looked over at Sam and said, “Make sure they check her for a concussion,” before turning back to Cassie to squeeze her hand. “All right. My work here’s done. I’ve got to go pick up Billy. Call me, okay?”
    Cassie stared at the tweezers in her hands. How on earth had she come upon such an efficient friend?
    “Opposites attract,” Sam said.
    “What the hell do you know?” Cassie muttered.
     
    Two hours later she was back at her soon-to-be office, feeling completely spent. It had nothing to do with her knee. That was exactly what she’d told everyone it was: a bad scratch and an ugly bruise. She was used to both.
    But ignoring a quiet person hell-bent on taking charge was exhausting. If he’d at least become talkative and annoying again, she could’ve vented by telling him to shut up. If he’d been hesitant or cautious around her, she could’ve told him to get lost. But after his initial shots at her, he’d been quiet and determined to see her through, all while radiating an appeal that had nothing to do with the past.
    Feeling that appeal in her bones had been her one true setback that day, because she and Jessica had accomplished a lot.
    But something had to be done about the adult physical attraction she felt for adult Sam. Maybe she needed to meet his ex-wife and son and find out his disgusting adult habits . . .
    Maybe when the idea of meeting them didn’t make her feel sick to her stomach.

Chapter 5
    T he next day, Cassie limped down the school’s hallway and stopped just inside Mrs. Flannigan’s door, where other men and women were waiting. A person she guessed was a veterinarian was standing in front of the classroom holding a puppy and talking about the importance of spaying and neutering. She was doomed.
    No way a mere person could be interesting to a bunch of seven-year-olds after that puppy. Maybe she’d just talk about her cool car.
    “Cassidy? How are you? How are your parents doing? I saw them on the news the other day, arriving at the governor’s ball, talking about how it was their thirty-fifth anniversary,” a woman Cassie vaguely remembered started talking.
    “They’re doing well,” Cassie managed. She hated talking about her parents and their perfect image. She didn’t have it in her to perpetuate the myth, but she couldn’t very well say, “Well, lady I don’t remember well, the day of their anniversary my mother told me their marriage felt like twenty-five years of her unappreciated hard work and ten years of shit, so you decide how they’re doing.”
    One by one, everyone gave their little speech. The kids looked either dazed or fidgety. Cassie had been right. The puppy was a tough act to follow. Maybe she’d show them her ugly bruise. That always used to get kids’ attention.
    Finally, Mrs. Flannigan introduced her to the class.
    Cassie’s smile as she faced the classroom felt stiff. She gave her boring little speech and then it was time for questions. As had happened to quite a few before her, no one raised their hand. Cassie cleared her throat and shifted from one foot to another, as eager as the kids to be dismissed.
    And then, a little boy raised his hand.
    Mrs. Flannigan smiled, nodded, and said, “Jake Amador.”
    A rush of hard-to-define emotions came over Cassie the instant she heard the boy’s last name. She blinked over at him.
    The little boy with the solemn face had Sam’s warm, chocolaty eyes.
    It was like a punch to her gut. So much for thinking a career day chat to a room full of second-graders couldn’t hurt.
    When Jake Amador caught her watching him, he tilted his head and grinned. “Do you wear nail polish? Because my uncle Johnny says that the only difference between a redhead and a barracuda is nail polish.”
    A little girl with red hair threw a notebook at him. “Mrs. Flannigan! He’s saying that just to bother me!”
    Cassie pursed her lips to keep from smiling. She turned to