THE CONCLUSION to THE PERFECT LESSONS - Also reads as a standalone

Alex assured me his family's glamourous gala would be life-altering. He wasn't wrong, but certainly not to the life-altering extent of his omission of lies. Wrought with anxiety, I try to untangle truth from fiction.

I'm still forced to work alongside him for another six months. Putting aside my feelings for Alex left me drained and sexually frustrated. I needed to understand why his ex-fiance was still in the picture, why I couldn't get over my father's past transgressions, and, most importantly, why my heart struggled to accept why Alex loved me. My students loved me. My mother and brothers loved me. My friends and co-workers loved me. So, why can't I love me?

My past is still affecting me, and it has to stop now! We must learn to trust one another to heal, or we'll never have a future. Alex still has lessons to teach my wanton body, and I finally need to teach him that he can have what he wants without being a jerk.

Trudie and Alex must figure out their pasts before the school year ends-if not for themselves, then for the kids whose futures depend on it.