Page 62 of I Think He Knows?

“I’ll add him on the group,” she continues, ignoring my silence.

“Are you ready for today?” I ask, changing the subject.

“I think so,” she says. “But if not, it’s too late to worry about it now.”

“True.”

We walk into the office where we find Ms. Wilcox arranging a vase of fresh flowers. She’s wearing her school T-shirt with black leggings and booties.

“Hey, Britt,” Ariel says. “I just sent out a group text. Dinner and drinks tonight after the event.”

“That sounds fun. I’m in,” she exclaims.

“Hey, Britney,” I say.

“Good morning,” she replies curtly.

I sigh. Whatever.

As I head to my class, I send Cam a text.

Ariel demanded I text you and tell you she’s organizing dinner and drinks tonight.

Jess’s classroom is two doors down from mine, so I pop my head in. She’s sitting at her desk and is rubbing her temples vigorously.

“Morning. Are you okay?”

She sighs. “I’m ready for this day to be over.”

“Did you see Ariel’s message?”

“Yes. I’ll probably go—I’m sure I’ll be in desperate need of a drink,” she says standing up. “Did you have breakfast yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Me neither. Let’s go get food.”

I stop in my room to put my stuff down, and then Jess and I go to the staff lounge.

We’re met with a lovely spread of pastries, fruit, savory items, coffee, and juice.

“Everything looks so good,” I exclaim realizing how hungry I am.

“I wonder if Leo is actually going to show up today?” Jess asks after we sit down to eat.

“Cam told me he was,” I say. “I think he wants to see you again.”

She sighs. “I hope so because him being here will make this day better. I woke up to three emails from Mrs. Wallingford asking me to send her a photo of the handprint poster. She wasn’t happy when I told her it was a surprise for all the parents. She’s probably going to make my life miserable now, and I’ll be lucky if I still have a job after this year. I might be blacklisted for not falling in line with her demands.”

“Nah, I don’t think she’ll bother you anymore. She’ll move on to harass another teacher next year,” I assure her.

“Good,” she says.

A few other staff members join us, and naturally the topic of conversation is the event. I check my phone, but Cam still hasn’t responded yet. As I get up to refill my coffee, the door opens and Lilly walks in.

She looks as fabulous as ever in her school T-shirt and black leather pants. Her hair is full of wild salon worthy curls.

“Good morning, team,” she announces. “I love seeing everyone with all their school spirit. It’s going to be a great day.”

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