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Breaks between sets were filled with kids who scrambled up the bleachers to greet her and talk for a moment or two. Although she wasn’t the most popular teacher at Douglas, she did like the fact that her students sought her out to ask advice, tell her some news, or just chitchat.
    When the match ended, with Nate’s team winning, she worked her way down the bleachers, not sure if she should head out without at least speaking to him for a bit. As he packed things into his bag, he glanced back at where she’d sat, his eyes widening and then scanning the gym. The panic in his expression eased as his gaze caught hers.
    Wait for me?
he mouthed.
    At least he hadn’t shouted. Dani inclined her head toward the exit, and he nodded, zipping his bag and striding toward the hallway that led to the locker room, most likely for the after-match debriefing of his team.
    The night was sultry, a typical late August evening in Illinois. Cicadas buzzed in the trees that bordered the far side of the baseball field, and a nice breeze kept the evening from being too warm to enjoy. She took a seat on one of the wooden benches right outside the big double doors, hoping he wouldn’t be too long.
    Nate strode through the doors a brief ten minutes later. “Hey,” he called as he headed toward her. “You came.”
    “Just showing my school spirit,” she replied, knowing her flushed cheeks had to make him think otherwise.
    “Have you eaten?”
    She shook her head.
    “Wanna go get a burger?”
    The hopeful tone in Nate’s voice made Dani feel guilty turning him down. “That’s probably not a good idea.”
    “Why? You a vegan or something?”
    “No. It’s just… people are already talking.”
    He rolled his eyes. “The ‘closet clinch’?” A snort slipped out. “People really do have vivid imaginations around here. Mary Henry ought to write romance novels. She has a way of embellishing that most authors would envy.”
    Dani smiled. “That she does.”
    “C’mon, Dani. Let’s get a burger. I’m starving, and I still want to talk about the unit we’re starting on
To Kill a Mockingbird
.”
    Her heart sank. After all her worrying about the spark between them whenever they’d been together, she’d misjudged the attraction. Nate only cared about being a good teacher, not about anything that might or might not happen between them.
    “It’ll be fine,” he said. “We can go to Aspen Grill.”
    His suggestion confused her. “A great place to eat, but it’s a long drive.”
    “Not that long, especially if we want some privacy.”
    “You want privacy to talk about
To Kill a Mockingbird
?”
    He took a slow look around the entrance and then his gaze swept the parking lot. Too many ears to say what he wanted?
    Dani stared up at him. “I guess Aspen Grill would work.”
    “Great. I’ll drive.”
    *   *   *
    Aspen Grill was almost empty. No wonder since it was almost eight. The drive to Ellisville had eaten up a good half hour, but Nate had scented Dani’s fear.
    However, he didn’t share it. They taught at the same school. So what? Teachers dated other teachers all the time. Sure, Douglas High was a small school in a tiny town, but there had to have been other teachers who forged relationships in the microcosm of Cloverleaf, Illinois.
    He held the door open for her, letting his hand rest on the small of her back as if it were the most natural thing to do. A waitress led them to a booth, handed them menus, and then took their drink orders. In a short time, they were sipping soda and waiting for their burgers.
    “Let’s talk themes for
Mockingbird
,” Dani said. “I love the coexistence of good and evil that the story—”
    Nate held up a palm.
    “What?” she asked. “I’ve got some great insight into that book. It’s one of my favorites. And we get to teach
The Hobbit
.”
    “We’re not here to talk about Atticus or Scout or Jem or themes from
To Kill a Mockingbird
.”
    “
The Hobbit
, then?” The gleam in