Dare to Kiss (The Maxwell Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

in the softest voice. It wasn’t even seven thirty in the morning and this lady looked as if she had worked an entire day already. Black circles marred the area under her blue eyes, and her pale skin had a sheen to it as though she had been sweating. “I’ve been working non-stop, getting things in order. I just hate the first day.” Her eyes met Dad’s, and I swear all stress left her face.
    Dad flashed his winning smile, and the woman looked like she had one of those moments that I had when I laid eyes on Kade. Sure, my dad was ruggedly handsome. He had brown wavy hair like me. His green eyes usually sparkled when he was happy. These days, though, I hadn’t seen any glimmer in them. He always kept a five-o-clock shadow on his face like he had now. My mom had loved him with “that scruffy look,” as I called it.
    “No problem,” Dad said. “We have an appointment with Principal Sanders.”
    “Oh, yes. Please take a seat. She’s busy at the moment. I’ll let her know you’re here.” She scooted around a desk and the counter before opening the door to the principal’s office. “Your seven thirty is here.”
    “Tell Mr. Robinson I’ll be right with him,” the principal said.
    “Yes, ma’am.” Then the lady turned to Dad, with a distant expression. “She’ll be right with you.”
    “I didn’t get your name,” Dad said.
    We were still at the counter while she made her way back to her desk. “I’m Barbara. Everyone calls me Barb, though.” Her cheeks turned red to match her hair.
    Oh, geez. Dad was making this lady flush.
    “Everyone calls me James,” Dad said, leaning forward on the counter.
    It was like I wasn’t even in the room. I didn’t know if I was happy about that or not. True, Dad needed to move on with his life. Eventually, he needed to find someone he was interested in. Still, it might be too soon, but then again, did love ever have a timetable, or was there ever a good or bad time for romance? Oh, shit. What the hell was I thinking? I had my father already in love with this woman and married off before I even started my first day of school.
    “This is my daughter, Lacey,” he said, looking at me.
    “Pleased to meet you, Barb,” I said.
    She nodded. “I’m sure I’ll get to know you over the next year, Lacey. Anyway, Ms. Sanders will be with you shortly. I need to get back to class schedules.”
    Dad nodded to Barb before guiding me over to the empty chairs that lined the wall. We both sat down. Aside from Barb tapping the keys on her computer, the room was eerily silent. Dad and I were lost in our own thoughts when the door to the principal’s office opened, and I couldn’t believe it—Kade Maxwell stalked out, looking all badass. My heart stopped, my mouth became dry, and my hands clammy. He wasn’t wearing his sunglasses, and when our eyes met, a voice in my head screamed to run. Yep, this was going to be one hellish senior year .

Chapter 3
    P rincipal Sanders sat behind her mahogany desk, writing on a notepad, when Dad and I entered.
    “I’ll be right with you,” she said, not looking up.
    As we waited, I took in the spacious room. Beside the expensive looking desk, several bookcases lined the left wall. Just behind Principal Sanders, a bank of windows brought in bright sunlight, showing the specks of dust floating in the air. A small sink with an under-counter refrigerator abutted the bookcases, with a loveseat against the right wall. No guest chairs. Normally, there would be two in front of the desk. How odd . The principal’s office at Crestview had chairs for guests. Even my dad’s office at Eko Records had chairs.
    Standing next to Dad, I checked my phone for messages—I didn’t have any. I didn’t expect to, but I was nervous all of sudden and needed to do something. Dad stood with his hands crossed in front of him like he was a bouncer at his own nightclub.
    Setting her pen down, Principal Sanders rose, smoothing her skirt. Her long black hair cascaded