Page 13 of I Think He Knows?

“There you are,” she exclaims. “I was about to send out a search party.”

I sit down and sigh. “That was Cam.”

She frowns. “I’m guessing it wasn’t a good conversation?”

I tell her about him cancelling our date.

“I’m sorry. But at least he had a good reason.”

I nod. Admittedly I’m a bit curious about his family dynamic and the situation with his parents. It’s hard to imagine Cam not getting along with someone.

The bright side is he told me he wanted to have dinner with me, and thanks to Ariel’s escape room plan, I’ll get to see him outside of work next weekend. Any chance I get to spend time with Coach Cam is a win.

Chapter Four

There’s nothing worse than waking up on a Monday morning with a feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach. I’m not sure why, but something feels off, and I haven’t even left my house yet. I’m trying not to over think it. It could just mean my students are going to be a handful today—it happens.

Unfortunately, my weekend didn’t turn out to be what I’d hoped for, especially after Coach Cam cancelled our plans. At least he texted me back and asked if we could reschedule dinner for Friday night.

While I get ready, my mind is already in work mode. Our principal sent out a message stating we’d be having a short staff meeting before school. The Celebrate Our School event is around the corner, and I need to get my plan together. One thing is for sure, there will be no glitter involved.

Some of the teachers go all out and have their classes put on a performance or prepare an elaborate showcase of what they’ve been working on. My little angels can wave to their families, and everyone thinks it’s an Oscar worthy performance. At least my class this year is an easier group. Last year was a lot harder and full of moments when I truly questioned my career choice.

When I walk into the auditorium, I immediately see Principal Lewis talking to a woman who looks like she just stepped off a runway at New York Fashion Week. She’s wearing a gorgeous blue jumpsuit with tan booties and her shiny dark brown hair is pulled into a sleek ponytail.

I’m one of the first to arrive, so I find a good spot in the front row. I smile warmly at them and reach for my phone. I do have a list of ideas for Celebrate Our School just in case Ms. Lewis decides to go rogue and ask for updates during the meeting. The room is slowly starting to fill up, and Jess practically races in and sits down next to me.

“I have to tell you something,” she whispers, breathing heavily. “Remember when Ariel told us about the woman who knows Cam?”

A knot immediately forms in the pit of my stomach. “Yeah.”

“She’s—”

“Thanks for saving me a seat friends,” Ariel interrupts.

Jess rolls her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I was here first, and I didn’t even think about it.”

Ariel frowns. “It’s fine.”

“Good morning, Eagles, we have a lot to go over, so let’s get started,” Ms. Lewis announces.

“Crap,” Jess says, after Ariel hurries off to find a seat.

“What’s wrong?” I whisper.

She opens a notebook and quickly scribbles something on a piece of paper and passes it to me.

As soon as I read it, I understand why I had the feeling of dread when I woke up.

The new staff member and Cam used to be in a relationship.

I glance at Jess, who nods.

“I want to start by introducing you to a brand-new member of our staff,” Ms. Lewis announces. “Meet Lilly Winters, our new Assistant Principal.”

Jess raises her eyebrows just as the runway model I noticed earlier rises to her feet. She gives a wave that would put most pageant contestants to shame. I watch in awe as Ms. Lilly Winters saunters next to Ms. Lewis. She’s perfectly poised and speaks like a politician as she introduces herself.

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