The Teacher's Billionaire

quits after the fundraiser in New York. Let her move on. Phillips wouldn’t have to know. Dylan knew it was the right thing to do. The thought of ending it, however, left him feeling hollow inside. Now isn’t the time to make this decision, he reasoned tossing off the blankets. There would be plenty of time to do that when he was alone in his apartment.
    ***
    Stuffed with apple cinnamon pancakes, they headed to Brook Farm State Park for a day hike. “What do you think? Do you have enough energy left for a challenging trail or do you need one of the beginner ones?” Callie asked as they looked over a map of the various trails.
    “I’m up for a challenge. But if you’re tired by all means a beginner one is fine.” Dylan kissed the side of her neck and smiled when she tilted her head exposing more of her neck to him.
    “You’re trying to distract me so I’ll pick an easy one. It won’t work.” Callie took a few steps away. “Follow me.”
    Neither of them spoke much as they made their way up steep inclines and through the various vegetation. Dylan didn’t mind the lack of conversation. It allowed him a chance to really take in his surroundings. One of the things he loved about hiking was how isolated you felt. Living in the city, he constantly had people around him. Out here though you could almost imagine you were the last person on Earth.
    The lack of conversation also allowed him to focus on Callie. She made her way up the mountain with ease. She actually made it look effortless. Though he was in excellent shape, it’d been a while since he last hiked and his legs were certainly feeling it. Callie showed no sign of sharing his discomfort.
    You’re going to feel this in the morning.
Reaching into the side pocket of his pack he pulled out his water. Morning, now there was a time he wasn’t looking forward to. He’d be waking up alone tomorrow. Doing so had never bothered him before, but now he found himself wishing Callie was coming back to the city with him tonight.
    For a moment he considered inviting her. Bad idea, his brain screamed as he chugged water.
You’re letting yourself become too attached
. Besides she has work tomorrow, he reminded himself. He knew she only had a few days of school left.
    “Why don’t we stop here for a rest,” Callie called out to him, interrupting his thoughts. They’d broken through to a fairly level area with a small stream running through it.
    “Sounds great.” Dylan removed the backpack he wore and joined her beside the stream. Settling himself on the ground he used a large boulder as a backrest. “I’m glad we did this today.”
    Callie took a long drink from the water he handed her. “Me too. I haven’t been hiking since last fall. I love it out here. Whenever you want a hiking partner just holler.”
    He couldn’t think of her as a hiking partner. That made her sound too much like just a buddy. She was certainly not that. The term girlfriend didn’t fit either. That implied a possible long-term situation. Yet he couldn’t think of her as just another casual relationship that he would forget about in a few months either.
    “I’ll do that,” he replied before they both fell silent, content to enjoy their surroundings and each other’s company.
    Dylan had no idea how long they sat there before the ringing of his cell phone broke the peaceful silence around them. Surprised he even had service out here, he yanked the phone from his jeans pocket.
    Marty Phillips. The man’s name appeared on the screen.
Bloody hell.
Now what does he want?
After telling Callie he’d be right back he walked a few yards away before pressing the talk button.
    “What?” Dylan snapped not caring if the campaign advisor heard his annoyance or not.
    Perhaps detecting Dylan’s feelings, Marty didn’t bother with any small talk either. “Have you spoken to Miss Taylor about skipping the fundraiser next weekend?”
    The man sure knew how to ruin a nice afternoon
. “I told you Phillips, I’m not going to do that. Warren wants her there, and she wants to go. End of story.” Dylan didn’t mention the role he’d already played in convincing her to go in the first place.
    “Someone might pick up on the family resemblance.”
    The tone of the man’s voice never changed, but Dylan knew he was ticked. He’d spent enough time around Marty to notice the clipped edges to his words. “No one will notice, Marty.”
    Most of the people at these types of events were so