Page 86 of I Think He Knows?

“Aww…I think we need to call it a night. You need to be on top of your game tomorrow. Those little angels outnumber you.”

He laughs. “Very true. I’m ready if you are.”

“Let’s go.”

As we drive back to my house, we chat about the week ahead. I’m glad I said something to Cam about what happened. For the first time since yesterday, I feel relieved. Cam continues to show up for me, and that should be enough.

Chapter Nineteen

One of these days I’m going to return to the bootcamp class Eliza and I attended once. Today is not that day.

It’s especially difficult getting organized this morning, and the gloomy, rainy weather isn’t helping. It could also be because I feel like I just left school after being there all day Saturday. My one day of lounging on the couch watching Gilmore Girls wasn’t enough to recover from last week, but at least I didn’t oversleep this morning.

I’m at school in plenty of time, so Lilly won’t have a reason to visit my class.

This week should be low-key, except for Eliza’s birthday party on Saturday. I can’t believe that in less than one week Eliza and Mason will be engaged, and for real this time. They are the only people I’ve ever known who needed to be in a fake engagement to figure out their true feelings.

“Good morning,” Jess says, popping her head into my classroom.

“Hey, how are you?”

She grumbles. “Mrs. Wallingford is up to her usual tricks. Yesterday’s emails included a request I cut out each student’s handprint and send them home with the kids. And then she asked me to endorse her in running for PTA president.”

“You’re kidding,” I exclaim.

“I wish I was kidding,” she wails. “I can’t endorse her being president. Every teacher, parent, and staff member would hate me. I’ll have to leave the school forever and possibly move to another country.”

I laugh. “Well, I know something that might cheer you up.”

Jess gasps. “What?”

“Cam says he thinks Leo is interested you and you have nothing to worry about.”

Jess throws her arms around me. “Thank you, Serena. I needed that news this morning.”

“I’m glad I could brighten your day.”

“Okay I need to get ready for my students,” she exclaims. I watch as she practically dances out of my classroom.

I know that feeling so well. I still get excited when I think about Cam being interested in me.

I take a few more sips of my coffee, and then the familiar noise of little ones fills the air. Here goes another day of doing what I love.

* * *

We all have rough days, including kindergarteners. Did everyone wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? Maybe it’s the weather? Not being able to go outside for recess is a recipe for disaster. Or maybe it’s a full moon?

For some reason there’s a lot of crying in my classroom today. Tears over silly disagreements, broken friendships, and hurt feelings. I might need a pizza and sugar night with Eliza to recover.

I’m so grateful when lunchtime arrives. I drop off my students and head to the lounge.

“What happened to you guys on Saturday?” Ariel asks as soon as I walk in. “You took off and didn’t even tell anyone.”

“Sorry, girl. It was such a long day.”

“You missed an amazing party,” she says with a shrug.

I nod. “I’m sure I did. I meant it when I said you should consider a side job planning events.”

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