Back then, when they were being sweet, he'd call her "baby." But most of the time, it was "Teacher Greene." Now, though, he had a new name for her.

The tall man stood by the daily necessities aisle, picking out toothbrushes. She watched as Alaric grabbed a pair and tossed them into the cart. He then explained with a playful grin.

"In private, you always make me feel like a bad boy getting scolded by his teacher."

Emerald frowned. This sudden change in how he addressed her—it felt like something was shifting between them.

"Just use my name," Emerald replied, her resistance to his unexpected intimacy clear.

"Alright," Alaric agreed,...