Hey, you guys! I’m baaa-aaack!!! And you wanna know what else? While I was away, I finished my book!!! It’s now in my editor’s hands and I’ve almost recovered from the torture I put my body/mind through to make my deadline. But, hey, it’s way more satisfying when there’s blood, sweat, and tears involved, right? 😉 Here’s a new snippet from Learning to Love to help me celebrate!
Rebecca habitually showed up to Kendal High a good hour before school started, even earlier on days when she wanted to squeeze in a morning workout in the weight room, and this morning had been like any other. Except not. Because Will’s practicum started today, and he’d probably be there soon, and she hadn’t been able to focus on anything else.
She’d tried going for a run on the treadmill, tried to mark some of the recent health assignments she’d received, and went so far as reorganizing the sneaker collection she kept on the shoe rack under her desk. Which took her all of three minutes. She only stored her most versatile pairs at school, and the rest were at home, displayed lovingly in see-through drop-front stackable shoe boxes.
Would it be weird between them? He’d be working with Berg, not her. Well, not directly with her. But their desks were right next to each other, and it wasn’t a huge school, and sometimes the P.E. classes had to share gym space, and . . . Ugh, shut up, brain.
***End of WWW post, but carry on to finish this sequence.***
She hopped out of her chair and grabbed one of the two mini basketballs from the corner of Berg’s desk. He’d stuck a kid-size hoop on the wall next to the door at the start of the semester, and they’d take shots whenever they had a spare moment. Berg kept a running tally for who’d scored the most baskets on a sticky note. Rebecca was currently ahead by three points, but that was hardly enough of a lead to secure bragging rights. She stepped behind the green tape line, squared up, and took her first shot.
Bullseye.
The orange rubber ball rolled back to her feet and she lined up for her second shot, a fake countdown clock ticking through her mind. Three, two, one . . .
Just as she jumped to take the “buzzer-beater” shot, the office door opened and her ball missed its target completely. Unless its intended target was Will’s head.
Yeah. It would be weird between them.
Here’s the blurb:
Rebecca Ledgerwood is a physical education teacher who’s ready to invest some sweat equity into a lasting romance. On a whim, she has her palm read before summer vacation ends, and she’s told she’s an old soul who’ll find happiness with a younger man.
William Whitney leaves an unfulfilling career to pursue teaching and gets placed at Rebecca’s school for his physical education practicum. He’s desperate to make a difference, convinced that the choices he made in the past contributed to his younger sister’s death. Kendal High School is nothing like the prep school he attended as a teenager, but he’s determined to make the most of his time there, especially if it makes Rebecca notice him.
Though they come from vastly different backgrounds, there’s an undeniable chemistry that sparks between the two. They resist, as they must, until his practicum ends, but when he’s offered a teaching position at his former prep school, will he take the easy way out, or fight for what’s right in front of him?
Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m hanging with my dad for the next week and we’ll be spending loads of time with the wee Royals (a.k.a. my niece and nephew). We’re off to join them at The Royal Palace for a BBQ today, in fact! I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend, and I’ll see you again in a week! 🙂
Award-winning romance author & PE teacher who plays sports, sings, juggles, dances, has a sneaker obsession, & lives on PB! 
A cute snippet! I have a feeling it will only be weird if they let it be, but the students will surely notice if it is.
Thanks, Jessica! You’re totally right. Those kids pick up on everything. 🙂
How many points for that shot??? Seems like she should get extra. congrats on getting it done! And enjoy the wee royals. 🙂
Haha, I agree! I think five points is fair. 😀 Thank you!! I shall!
Woo Hoo! Nothing says success like that last sentence . . . and now the real work begins! LOVE how emotional and descriptive your scene is with so few words.
Yes, indeed it does! Thank you so much, Nancy! I’m glad that all comes through. 🙂
Great final line!
Thank you, Aurora! I appreciate it! 🙂
Unless its intended target was Will’s head – Oops! Talk about making an impression!
Hee! That’s definitely one way to do it! Thanks, Ian! 🙂
I wonder where one orders shoeboxes like that?
Heh. You know I love it, and you! Don’t hurt my Will!
😀 I have no idea what you’re talking about. *giggles* He’s my Will, too!
She’s overthinking things which never helps but is totally understandable. I love the way you make the characters such REAL people. Great snippet!
Thank you, Veronica! I love to hear that! 🙂
If she throws stuff at him, of *course* things’ll be weird between them. Welcome back, Julie, and congratulations on finishing the book!
LOL, them’s the rules! Thank you, Ed! Happy to be back, and thrilled to be “finished” for now! 🙂
Welcome back!! I have been searching for your snippets. Thought I had forgotten your name or something. Glad your back and congratulations on completing your book!! Now the waiting game begins. Loved this week’s snippet. Hopefully, not too weird.
Aww, thank you, Jeff! That’s really nice to hear! 🙂 I’ve missed making the rounds the last month or so, but it’s such a relief to have typed those two magical words–The End.
As a former high school teacher, I think you nailed how chemistry between staff can make things awkward. And congrats on finishing your book!
Thank you! I’m super happy to hear that! 🙂 So relieved to be finished, but now the editing fun begins lol.
I guess, “I’m sorry, I’m the biggest klutz in the department,” is a better opener than an awkward hello lol. Great snippet, I really enjoyed it.