Finding Our Forever (Silver Springs #1)(23)

“No problem. But...that isn’t the only reason I called. If you have a minute, I’d like to talk to you about something else.”

Oh boy. Maybe she did know about Eli. Cora turned off the car but didn’t release her seat belt even though she could see Darci waving at her through the window of the diner. “Sure, I’ve got time. What’s going on?”

“One of the other teachers mentioned to me that Doug Maggleby was making you uncomfortable at the pizza parlor last night.”

“It wasn’t...all that bad,” she hedged.

“He was drinking, which I’m sure didn’t help. Anyway, I’m sorry. I’ll speak to him. I definitely don’t want him scaring you off.”

“No, don’t bother,” she said. “He didn’t get too out of line.” Thanks to Eli, he didn’t get much of a chance...

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“Well, I’ll let this incident go, but only because he’s had a rough few years. He lost his wife to cancer and is just now getting over it and hoping to find someone else.”

“He might have better luck looking for someone closer to his own age,” Cora said.

“Yes. If necessary, I’ll mention that to him.”

“I appreciate your support.”

“Of course. That’s what I’m here for.” She was about to hang up when, impulsively, Cora stopped her.

“Aiyana?”

“Yes?”

“To tell you the truth...” She searched for the right words to express what she had to say and came up empty.

“Have you changed your mind about having me talk to Doug?” Aiyana asked.

“No. This is...something else.”

“What is it?”

She tapped her fingers on her steering wheel. “Um... I wanted to make sure you wouldn’t be...angry or—or disappointed if I ever...you know...”

“What?” Aiyana prompted.

“Showed interest in your son,” she blurted out.

“Elijah?”

Cora squeezed her eyes closed. She had no idea what the heck she was doing. She just hated the feeling that she might be letting Aiyana down by going behind her back, needed to know how serious of an infraction it would be if she were to continue to see Elijah. She had no idea how he felt about last night, but she definitely wanted to get to know him better. “Yes. I’ve seen Gavin but haven’t actually met him.”

There was a long pause. Afraid of what Aiyana might say to discourage her, Cora hurried to fill the silence. “I realize we both work for you, at the same school, but in the high schools where I’ve taught, if two teachers happen to go out once in a while, it’s pretty much ignored.”

“I’m not so concerned about two employees dating...”

“And yet you sound hesitant.”

“He bears some unique scars, Cora.”

Letting her breath seep out, Cora finally opened her eyes. “I’m aware of that.”

“Do you realize that what he’s been through will probably always be part of him? How a background like his could affect a relationship?”

Darci was now at the door, watching her with a confused expression, so Cora lifted one finger to indicate she’d be just another minute. “Here’s the thing. He’s fine the way he is. I’m not asking for anything serious. I think I could be a good friend to him.”

More silence. Cora didn’t get the impression Aiyana was against her seeing Elijah—it was more that she seemed to be weighing certain reservations in her mind, trying to figure out if she should say more.

Cora bit her lip. “I shouldn’t have said anything. It wouldn’t be serious, like I said. I guess I just...needed to know you wouldn’t be too upset if...if we ever hung out.”

“I wouldn’t be upset. I’m just worried that...well, because he’s so hard to get to know, it may not seem as if he can be hurt—”

“Anyone can be hurt.”

“Especially him,” she said. “I guess that’s my point. His heart is so big.”

“Trust me—it’s not like that. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Well, if that’s the case, no one can have too many friends,” she said, and they both laughed at her quick reversal.

“Okay. Great. Can I ask for one more favor?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t tell him we had this conversation?”

“Trust me—I won’t. He wouldn’t like the idea of me getting involved, so to be honest, I’m hoping you won’t mention it, either.”

“I won’t. This will be our little secret. And now I’ll let you go.”

“Cora?”

She pulled her phone back to her ear. “Yes?”

“Relationships, even friendships, can be unpredictable at times. So protect your own heart, too.”

“I will.” As Cora disconnected, she felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Maybe she hadn’t come totally clean. She wasn’t willing to go that far. But at least she knew she wouldn’t be doing anything that would upset Aiyana if Aiyana found out about it. As attracted as Cora was to Elijah, she didn’t want to kill any chance she had of being part of her biological mother’s life—if she ever decided to go for that.