Page 62 of Promises We Meant to Keep

“Yara.”

Elia nearly screeched to a halt on her way to Kamryn’s office. She’d thought they could snag a late lunch together, but now her entire stomach was in knots just staring at her ex-girlfriend in the middle of the hallway of the administration building.

“Elia.” Yara winced visibly, but then she plastered on the cool, confident mask that Elia had become so familiar with after their breakup.

Elia’s heart was in her throat. What was Yara Cole doing here? Her kids had all graduated years ago, and Elia had never been more thankful to be able to close that phase of her life and truly move on from their breakup.

“It’s been a while,” Elia said, trying to open the conversation for something—anything—that might give her a hint as to why Yara was here. Because there had to be a reason. And it couldn’t be because she’d applied for the Head of School position because it hadn’t even been opened yet, and she hadn’t even decided if she would or not.

“It has.” Yara’s lips twitched upward into a half smile before it faded. “I just had a meeting with our new temporary Head of School.”

“Oh.” Elia wasn’t sure if that was a comment or a question. But she was definitely going to ask Kamryn about it as soon as they had a moment alone and away from the school.

“She’s doing well, don’t you think?”

“Yeah.” Elia tightened her grip around her notebooks. The panic that she’d faced all those years ago was settling into her chest, and it was trying to overtake her, but she wasn’t going to let it. Not again. And definitely not today. “She was well chosen for the position.”

Yara nodded, still staying put and not moving. So this conversation—if it could even be called that—wasn’t over yet. At one point, Elia had convinced herself that they were in love. But now she was fairly certain it had just been a strong dose of infatuation, one they’d both experienced. Elia was probably the only one willing to admit to that now, though.

“What are you doing here?” Elia asked, ending up being the direct one and breaking the stalemate between them.

“I was asked to join the ethics committee.” Yara’s look was pure satisfaction, crazed and elated satisfaction.

Elia’s stomach dropped. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily. Of all people to ask to be on the team, Yara would be the last one that Elia would want. Even over herself. But they’d allow Yara on, wouldn’t they? She was the innocent one in everything, and she’d made damn sure that the world had known that.

“I hope that doesn’t bother you,” Yara added.

Of course it damn well did, and of course Yara would be pleased to know that Elia was one of the first to find out, to know that Elia was going to go back to her home and struggle with this. Elia needed to catch her breath, and she needed to find a way to give as good as she was getting right now.

“Why would it bother me?” Elia raised her chin up high, steeling herself for whatever was going to happen next, because damn would it be major. “You’re clearly the perfect person forthe role, with your extensive experience in the area of politics and ethical violations. I’m sure the team will benefit from all yourexperience.”

Yes, she’d thrown that last bit in there to tick Yara off, even though it probably wouldn’t work in the long run. It’d come back to bite her in the ass so hard, and she would regret it every second of the way.

“Yes, I do have quite a bit of experience in these things, don’t I?” Yara fired back, but her shoulders tightened, and her jaw line was so sharp that Elia knew she’d at least gotten under her skin. No one else might be able to tell, but two years of dating didn’t erase that. Elia could read her from anywhere.

“You sure do.” Elia nodded sharply. “Too bad your efforts couldn’t have been aimed in a more fruitful direction instead of at an innocent party.”

“Innocent?” Yara choked on the word. “I hardly thinkyou’reinnocent.”

“No, you wouldn’t think that, because you never even took a moment to listen to what I had to say, did you?” Elia spat out the words, all the anger rushing up and out of her. “It was only every listening to one side of it, and you know what? I’m glad you weren’t on the ethics committee then, or the board. You wouldn’t have provided an objective voice.”

“Then justice might haveactuallyhappened.”

“Really? After eighteen years, you’re still going to hold this grudge?” Elia waved her off. “Give it up, Yara. Eighteen years is too long to hold onto something so negative in your life. Move on already.”

“No.” Yara took a step forward. Elia very nearly took a step back in response, but she held her ground. They were in the middle of the administration building, and there were cameras everywhere. If anything happened, then someone else would see it and know about it. This wasn’t twenty-years ago whenthere was nothing to prove her right, to back up her claims of innocence.

“Excuse me.” Kamryn’s voice startled Elia. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Elia said, stepping back immediately. “I was coming to discuss the Speech meet this weekend. I see you’re busy. We can reschedule.”

Without another word, Elia turned on her toes and walked away. Kamryn didn’t say her name. She didn’t follow her. She didn’t even try to stop her. Elia could understand why. Yara had to be Kamryn’s priority in this situation. Dealing with Yara had to be the reason why Kamryn was staying behind. Not because it was anything else.

And if Elia let her mind wander, she could come up with any number of reasons as to why she might be staying that were far beyond Yara. Elia rushed out into the cold air and held back her tears. Running face first into her ex-girlfriend at a time like this.

And to have Yara be on the ethics team?

Elia couldn’t tell them now. They couldn’t tell the board what she and Kamryn had been doing. That they’d been dating? It would ruin any chance of Kamryn getting the job, and it would instantly set Elia up for a termination. Yara would make sure of it.

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