Breakaway by Kelly Jamieson Page B

very bad for Jason. Oh god.
    Jason had taken over the microphone and was getting the kids
all worked up into a frenzy over reading books. She focused on him and what he
was saying, clamping down on the resurgent lust.
    “So you guys can ask us all questions now if you like,” Jason
said. “Who’s got a question?”
    Hands shot up and little bodies bounced excitedly on the
bleachers. Remi smiled.
    “What’s your favorite book?” a student asked Jason.
    “I have a lot of favorites,” Jason replied. “But I really
love Tom Sawyer .”
    A murmur of agreement rippled through.
    His hockey buddies shared their favorites too.
    “What’s your favorite video game?”
    Jason tipped his head to think. “Tough one,” he said. “Right
now I like Hosuko Heroes.”
    More cheers. The kids were eating it up.
    “How many of you play sports?” Jason asked. Again hands
reached for the sky and kids jumped up and down. “Wow! That’s great! Any hockey
players?”
    More hands.
    “Any girl hockey players?”
    Remi laughed and shook her head, but sure enough, several
girls jumped up and waved.
    The rally continued and then the three athletes stationed
themselves at the doors of the auditorium along with the teachers to hand out
buttons and score sheets and gift bags with free books to the kids as they
filed out.
    Remi went over to talk to Jennifer, who was all smiles. “That
went great!” she said. “Those hockey players were fantastic with the kids!”
    “Yes. They were.”
    “Come on. I’ll introduce you. You’ll be working with them
over the next few weeks.”
    Remi nodded, sucking her bottom lip as she followed Jennifer
toward Jason. Her heart picked up speed and her head went just a little light
as she neared him, tummy tight and fluttery. She’d given him her number, but he
hadn’t called.
    Yet. It was only Wednesday.
    Maybe he had no intention of calling her.
    Maybe he was going to be horribly embarrassed to see her.
    Maybe he was going to regret that he’d volunteered to work
on this program.
    Remi pressed a hand to her stomach and stopped with
Jennifer. Jason was bumping fists with a boy—Remi’s student Ryan—who’d stopped
to talk to him. She’d never seen Ryan so focused.
    Then Jason straightened to his full, imposing height and
turned and his gaze landed on her.
    She felt it like a touch.
    His eyes widened and then a slow smile spread across his
face.
    She liked that smile.
    She gave him a tremulous smile back.
    “Remi, this is Jason Heller, Dominic Griffin and Matthieu
Lalonde. Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet Remi Buchanan. She’s a grade six
teacher here at Lincoln and she’s the one who was instrumental in bringing the kickoff
rally to our school this year.”
    Jason’s smile disappeared, replaced by a glower. Oh lord. He
was embarrassed. She automatically held out her hand. Jason took it first.
    “We’ve actually met,” he said, his face smoothing and that
charming white smile flashing.
    “Oh, really?” Jennifer looked confused, and shot Remi a
curious look.
    “Nice to meet you, Ms Buchanan,” Dominic said, shaking her
hand with a grin. Matthieu did the same. Remi hadn’t paid that much attention
to Jason’s companions that night, since all her attention had been focused on Jason,
but she was pretty sure they’d both been there too. Her cheeks felt like they
were on fire. Did they know she and Jason had…yeah. They must know.
    Her whole body blazing, she kept a smile firmly in place. “Thank
you so much for coming today. I understand it was somewhat short notice.”
    “Not a problem,” Jason said. “I’ve been involved in the
program for a few years at other schools. I’m glad to do it again this year.”
    “The kids really seemed to enjoy it,” Jennifer said. “I
think we’re off to a great start.”
    “So for the next six Wednesdays we’ll be back here to work
with smaller groups,” Jason said. His gaze held Remi’s and she resisted the
urge to fuss with her hair. Did