Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
“You’re adorable.”
“I’m hot,” I corrected.
“No, I mean, the way you love him. You’ll do anything for him, including parade around an elementary school dressed in Dalmatian spots.” She smiled at me with pride in her eyes. “I’m so fucking happy for you. Both of you.”
I sucked in a breath and let it out. “Me too. But maybe you’re right. Maybe this is too much like the flash mob from hell.”
Before she could say anything, I continued. “Except that he specifically asked for this. Multiple times. He said his kids have been begging him to get me to dress up as Marshall for Halloween week ever since they found out I know the people who make the Paw Patrol movies.”
“And you think this is the perfect moment to propose?”
I felt for the special item hidden in the costume’s utility belt. “I think it’s the perfect moment because it’s his moment. His classroom, his kids, doing something that makes him happy. I’m not hijacking his day—I’m just adding to it.”
We pulled into the school parking lot, and I could see Robbie through the classroom windows, helping his third graders arrange their desks for whatever surprise activity was planned for the end of the school day. He had no idea we were coming.
I glanced at her as we got out of the car. “All set?”
“You have the ring?”
“Baked inside the dog bone cookie meant for him.” I took a shaky breath and patted the utility belt again. “After the kids have each taken one from the jar, I’ll sneak Robbie’s into it.”
Nadine nodded, then started laughing. “You’re going to bone him.”
I inhaled and let it out, trying hard not to snap from anxiety or burst into nervous laughter. “You’re a child.”
We made our way to the school entrance, where Rajiv, Morris, and the principal were waiting with grins that matched my nervous energy.
The principal greeted me eagerly. “Mr. Evers! The kids are going to lose their minds. Are you ready for this?”
I nodded, though my heart was beating so hard I was sure it was visible through the costume. “Ready.”
“And you’re sure about the timing?” she asked quietly. “We can always give you some privacy if you change your mind.”
“No, I want to do it in front of the kids. They’re his family too.” I glanced toward his classroom window again. “He loves them, and they love him. It feels right.”
“I agree,” she said with a mischievous grin. “He’s going to love it. We’re so lucky to have him as part of our Wildcat family, you know. He means the world to all of us.”
The principal led us through the hallways, past construction paper pumpkins and cotton ball ghosts taped to every available surface. The sounds of children’s laughter and excitement grew louder as we approached Robbie’s classroom.
When we reached his door, I could hear him inside, his warm teacher voice explaining something about fire safety to the kids. My chest tightened with love and nerves in equal measure.
“Okay,” the principal whispered. “I’ll go in first and announce the special visitors. Then you two make your entrance. Your friends can sneak into the back corner for photos.”
Nadine squeezed my furry paw. “You’ve got this. He loves you.”
“He loves me,” I repeated, more to convince myself than anything.
The principal knocked and stepped inside. “Class, we have some very special visitors here for our Halloween celebration! Can everyone please take their seats?”
I heard the excited chatter of eight-year-olds and the sound of tiny chairs scraping against linoleum. Then the principal’s voice again: “Are you ready to meet some Paw Patrol pups?”
The resulting shriek of excitement from twenty-eight third graders was probably audible from space.
“That’s our cue,” Nadine whispered.
We stepped into the classroom, and the kids went absolutely wild. But my eyes went straight to Robbie, who was standing frozen by his desk, his mouth hanging open in shock. When his gaze met mine through the costume, his face lit up with the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.
“Marshall! Skye!” the kids screamed, bouncing in their seats. “It’s really them!”
“Don’t be silly,” one of the kids said. “That’s Mr. Evers, remember?”
“Yeah, but he’s dressed like Marshall, and I’ll bet he brought candy!”
I waved and tried to stay in character, but it was hard to focus on anything other than Robbie’s expression. He looked like Christmas morning and his birthday had arrived at the same time.
“Hello, pups!” I said in my best Marshall voice. “We heard you’ve been learning about fire safety!”
For the next twenty minutes, we posed for photos, answered questions in character, and let the kids hug us approximately four hundred times each. Robbie watched from the side, beaming with pride and joy, occasionally redirecting overexcited children but mostly just soaking in their happiness.
Finally, it was time.
“Before we go,” I announced, still in character, “we have a special treat for your amazing teacher, Mr. Warren, and for all of you!”