Page 18 of Promises We Meant to Keep

“Second door on the right.”

Kamryn walked down the hallway and slid into the bathroom, locking it behind her. What had she been thinking last night? Because surely that was going to be a question thatElia was going to ask her. And she was going to need a damn good answer—and nothing was better than the actual truth.

She went to the bathroom, washed her hands, splashed cold water on her face, and then hesitated before she walked back out into the main living area. Elia hadn’t moved from the kitchen counter. Kamryn slid onto the stool next to her, leaning her arms on the counter and closing her eyes.

“I’m so sorry about last night.”

“Which part of last night?” Elia’s voice was colder than Kamryn could ever remember. Even that first day in the staff meeting.

“If I say all of it, it won’t be the full truth. But I do regret most of it.” The guilt ate away at what was left of Kamryn’s stomach. She hated this. “I did so many things wrong.”

“Yes, you did. I didn’t think that the board would hire someone so immature as to get drunk in public and pull the stunt that you did.”

Kamryn jerked her head upright, her eyes wide as she looked directly at Elia. Where had this anger been the night before? She’d been sure that Elia wouldn’t find it now, especially after how sweet she’d been the night before. But this was something else entirely.

“Immature?”

“Yes,” Elia confirmed. “If I hadn’t been there, it could have ended in disaster and ruining the reputation of the school. You have to think before you act. You’re not just a teacher anymore, Kamryn. You’re the Head of School. Start acting like it.”

Where was this coming from?

“I know. And I’m sorry. And about…” Kamryn gulped. She was going to grovel with the best of them, and she was going to make this as right as she possibly could from every moment going forward. “…about kissing you. I shouldn’t have done that. I definitely shouldn’t have done it without asking you first.”

Elia’s lips parted like she was going to say a retort, but then she stopped. She clenched her jaw, the muscles in her cheeks bulging slightly. Elia pushed the crossword book into the center of the counter and leaned into the stool back.

“I was wrong to kiss you without your explicit consent.” She’d said that last night, right? She couldn’t quite remember, but she wanted to make it clear that this was one of the things that she regretted the most.

“You were upset.”

“That’s not a reason to hurt someone else or to violate their bodily autonomy.” Kamryn rubbed the back of her neck, wishing the medicine would kick in already. This was so difficult with a migraine splitting its way through her skull. “Aside from my behavior that reflected poorly on the school, that’s what I regret the most.”

“This school has to be your priority. Not some ex-girlfriend you have a vendetta against.” Elia picked up her mug of coffee and took a sip. The scent of it nearly sent Kamryn over the edge again, but she managed to withhold the vomiting reflex.

“I don’t have a vendetta against Lauren.”

“I meant Rosie.”

“Rosie isn’t my ex-girlfriend.” Kamryn rubbed at the center of her chest. This was so difficult to talk about. “Haven’t you ever had a relationship end on crappy terms? It hurts, and there’s still a lot of pain there for both of us.”

“Hmm.” Elia’s lips pressed into a thin line. “You need to do better.”

“You’re right. I do.” Kamryn straightened her back. “Starting right now. Which is why I’m apologizing to you, if you’d ever stop attacking me long enough to hear what I’m saying.”

Kamryn froze. Had she really just said that? She’d wanted to say those words to Elia for two weeks straight now, but she’d never thought that she’d have the gumption to let them loosefrom her lips. Well, perhaps there were some good things to come out of last night—depending on how Elia took it.

“We’ve been struggling with each other since my first day here. And I’d really like to start over again, if you’ll allow it. I don’t want you to see me as a threat. I’m not a threat. I’m in this position temporarily until Dr. Waddy gets back on his feet and can take back over or until the Assistant Head of School gets back from paternity leave. I am only temporary.”

Elia stayed so still. Her gaze was sharp and precise, and it was almost a physical pain for Kamryn to look at her. She held her own ground though, needing to make sure that Elia was going to hear what she was saying.

“Dr. Sharpe?”

“Elia,” she said in correction.

Kamryn frowned, something niggling in the back of her brain like she should remember it, but it was next to impossible for the words to come to her mind. She shook her head and tried again, “Dr. Sharpe, I’m not exactly sure why you have it out to hate me, especially when I was your student…” Kamryn trailed off, the jealousy she’d detected in Elia from the moment she’d stepped foot onto the campus finally clicking into place. “You applied, didn’t you?”

It wasn’t really a question. She had the answer already. Elia didn’t have to say anything to confirm it. This was hands down classic jealousy and struggle because Kamryn had gotten the job and Elia hadn’t.

“Why did they turn you down?” Kamryn asked instead.

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