Jordan had been psyching herself up the entire drive over. Elise's "favorite teacher" wanted to meet with her one-on-one, and Jordan figured it was about Elise's art projects or maybe her boundless energy in class. She'd pictured some sweet young woman with bright earrings and a Pinterest board full of preschool crafts.

She parked the car, adjusted her leather jacket, and took Elise's hand. The preschool building was cheerful, painted in pastel blues and yellows, which made Jordan feel a little out-of-place with her tattoos and black boots. Still, she held her head high.

Inside, Elise tugged her arm excitedly. "Mommy, c'mon, Mister is waiting! He's gonna love my drawing so much!"

Jordan smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm but raised a brow. Mister? She figured Elise was just being playful, kids mixed up words all the time. Maybe it was some silly nickname.

The classroom smelled faintly of crayons and Play-Doh, and the walls were covered in finger paintings. Jordan's stomach fluttered with nerves. She hadn't stepped into a place this innocent in years.

"Okay, bug," Jordan crouched down and smoothed Elise's hair. "Go show them your drawing. Mommy will be right behind you."

Elise bolted across the room, holding up a lopsided sketch of Bailey the golden retriever. "Mister! Look! I drawed Bailey for you!"

Jordan followed at a slower pace, bracing herself to meet them. But when her eyes finally landed on Elise's teacher, she stopped dead in her tracks.

Not a woman.

A man.

Tall, broad-shouldered, with flecks of paint still smeared on his hands. His smile when he looked at Elise was warm and genuine, the kind of smile that softened his whole face.

Jordan's breath caught. Stomach flipping for the first time in years. She bit the inside of her cheek automatically - her nervous habit - and forced herself to keep walking. Elise was already bouncing back toward her, tugging her hand.

"Mommy, this is Mister! He's the bestest teacher ever! And this is my mommy, she makes tattoos and lets me color them in with pens sometimes!" Elise declared proudly, standing between them like a tiny announcer.

Jordan felt her cheeks flush. Oh god, she just blurted that out. She gave an awkward chuckle, brushing her bangs aside. "Uh- yeah, she, um... she likes to brag."

Finally, she straightened her shoulders and extended a hand, her dark blue eyes locking onto his. "I'm Jordan. Elise's mom. So... you're the famous teacher I've been hearing about nonstop?