Read Dare to Kiss (The Maxwell Series Book 1) for Free Online

down around her shoulders, and her gray eyes had dots of blue in them, coordinating with her gray suit. I bet they looked different when she wore different colors. Brad’s greenish-blue eyes had seemed more blue when he wore a green shirt.
    “I don’t believe in chairs for my guests. Please take no offense. When my guests are usually out-of-control kids, I don’t want them relaxing in chairs. However, since neither of you is here to get reprimanded, please have a seat on the sofa.” She revealed bright white teeth behind red lips, enhancing deep laugh lines.
    Turning, I took a few steps and sat down. Dad did the same.
    Ms. Sanders collected her chair, rolling it over to the sitting area.
    The door creaked open, and a blond-haired lady carried in a straight-backed wooden chair.
    “Thank you, Mrs. Flowers, for joining us.”
    Did all staff members come with their own chairs? Then something tumbled through my brain. Had Kade been in trouble? He hadn’t walked out with a chair. But the first day of school hadn’t started yet, so how could he be in trouble? I quickly dismissed the thought. I was here for me and not to think about Kade.
    After everyone was settled, we went through the introductions.
    “Okay. We have about twenty minutes before the first bell.” Ms. Sanders crossed one leg over the other then flipped open a notepad.
    “Very well, then.” Mrs. Flowers opened a file. “Lacey, I’ll be helping you throughout the school year to stay on track with your goals. Prior to this meeting, I was able to get all your former school records together.” Her short bob fell forward as she scanned a piece of paper in the file. “I will say I’m impressed with your grades until…anyway, you have a tough schedule this year.”
    I guess she didn’t want to bring up the funeral or whatever it was that she was about to say.
    “So if you’re set on trying out for the boys’ baseball team, then you’re going to have to put your nose in the books during your free time,” Ms. Sanders added. “We’re all about sports here at Kensington, but we’re strict when it comes to academics. We want our students to be well prepared for college. We have several competitive academic clubs that have won awards every year. I understand from Mrs. Flowers you’re extremely good in math. Maybe an academic team would suit you.” She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear.
    An odd noise rumbled from Dad. I glanced at him to find he had a scowl on his face. “What is this, Ms. Sanders? Are you trying to steer my daughter away from something she’s dreamed about all her life?” Dad’s nostrils flared.
    “Mr. Robinson, please. I didn’t mean anything other than to say that she has gotten excellent grades in the past. I was just suggesting another alternative,” Ms. Sanders responded.
    “Lacey will not be competing on any academic teams. Baseball is it,” he said.
    “What happens if she doesn’t make the team?” Mrs. Flowers asked.
    I didn’t want to think about that. I wanted to stay optimistic. “Regardless of baseball, I’m still going to ASU,” I said. “So how can I test out of the math subjects?”
    A pregnant pause filled the room. Ms. Sanders jotted something down on her notepad, and Mrs. Flowers sifted through my file. Dad and I exchanged a look. His stress level seemed to have evened out. I only knew that because the pained expression on his face had softened.
    Was there something wrong? Why wasn’t the answer straightforward?
    Thankfully, Dad spoke. “Is there a problem, ladies?”
    Mrs. Flowers swallowed, a sound that grated on me in the quiet room. Ms. Sanders, on the other hand, stood, rolled her chair back behind her desk and dropped the pad on top. It made a snapping sound like someone had popped a balloon.
    “Mr. Robinson, I’ll be honest with you.” She came around and leaned against the shiny piece of furniture, crossing her arms over her chest. “It’s going to be hard for Lacey to meet her