Updated Apr 8, 2026 • ~2 min read
Chapter 15: Off-Limits
Jace
The next day at pickup, Madison Chen—another fifth-grade teacher—stops Jace in the hallway.
“Mr. Blackwell! How’s Harper doing?”
“She’s good. Thanks for asking.”
“She’s lucky to have Ms. Martinez. She’s wonderful with the kids.”
“She is.”
Madison leans in conspiratorially. “I have to say, you two seemed very… friendly… at pickup last week. Lots of conversation.”
Jace’s stomach drops. “We were discussing Harper’s progress.”
“Of course! I just mean… well, be careful. Parents are off-limits, you know. Especially hot single dads.”
She says it like a joke. But the WARNING is clear.
Someone’s noticed.
“Thanks for the concern,” Jace says carefully. “But it’s purely professional.”
“Of course it is.” Madison smiles. “Have a good evening!”
She walks away, and Jace feels like he’s been PUNCHED.
They’ve been careful. Haven’t they?
But apparently not careful enough.
🔥
That night, he texts Sienna.
**Jace:** Another teacher noticed us talking. Made a comment about being “friendly.”
**Sienna:** Who?
**Jace:** Madison Chen.
**Sienna:** Shit. She’s the biggest gossip on staff.
**Jace:** We need to be more careful.
**Sienna:** Or we need to stop completely.
**Jace:** We already agreed to stop.
**Sienna:** Then we actually have to DO it this time.
He stares at his phone, hating this. Hating that they can’t just BE together without consequences.
**Jace:** You’re right. No more secret meetings. No more calls. Just required parent-teacher stuff.
**Sienna:** Until June.
**Jace:** Seven more months.
**Sienna:** We can do this.
**Jace:** Can we?
Long pause. Then:
**Sienna:** We have to. For Harper.
And there it is. The thing that matters more than anything they want.
Harper.
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