Page 10 of Promises We Meant to Keep

Abagail looked at the square and then back at Elia. “A few.”

They walked together, closer to the square, saying nothing. Elia was comfortable with that silence, wanting it, craving it even. She didn’t need to talk to Abagail to know what she was thinking, or that Abagail was just as curious about Elia’s change in mood as Elia was.

They stopped by the first booth, and Elia paid for one spiked hot apple cider and one not spiked. She handed the alcohol-free one to Abagail and sipped on her own. The warmth spread down her throat and into the top of her chest, warming her even more. It used to be a lot colder for these events, but the tradition of having all the fall things never quite stopped.

Once again looking around and observing, Elia took everything in. She was sure there were likely a few students out here tonight. The older ones typically came out to enjoy one lastweekend of freedom before the school year really took over and consumed their life.

Speaking of… there was Bristol. “Hey, Dr. Sharpe.”

“Bristol.” Elia smiled at the soon-to-be young woman. She’d been on the speech team for all the years she’d been at Windermere, and they’d soon be spending a lot of time together. “Enjoying the festival?”

“Oh yeah!” Bristol’s eyes lit up. “One last hurrah!”

Elia could understand the sentiment, but she kept her reaction calm. She nodded to Bristol. “Then enjoy away. Don’t let me stop you.”

“Speech is on Tuesday, right?” Bristol leaned up on her toes. It was her nervous tic. Her gaze slid from Elia to Abagail before she bounced back down onto the flats of her feet.

Did she think they were dating?

It wouldn’t be the first time, though she and Abagail had never considered it.

“Tuesday at four.”

“I’ll be there!” Bristol grinned broadly before she skittered away.

“How do you think coaching Speech is going to go with your former student now your co-leader?” Abagail asked in hushed tones as her shoulder brushed against Elia’s. She took a quick sip of her drink.

Elia’s jaw clenched again. She’d given herself a migraine twice now because of that bad habit, which she really needed to get over. Rolling her shoulders and purposely loosening her muscles, Elia raised her gaze to meet Abagail’s. “I’m not concerned about her abilities.”

“Didn’t think you were,” Abagail mumbled into her drink.

Elia winced. “I don’t need a co-leader.”

“You do, and you just don’t want to admit that she’s right.” Abagail had that sickeningI’m rightsmirk on her lips, and Elia turned away so she wouldn’t have to face it.

Logically, she knew that Kamryn was right. That the board was. This did add a layer of protection and safety to the entire Speech team, but that didn’t mean she liked it—especially because the solution was Kamryn herself.

That laugh echoed in Elia’s ears again. She looked around the square, trying to find the source and pinpoint why it seemed so familiar, but she didn’t manage to find it.

“Elia, what harm is there in some extra help?”

“It’s not the help I’m worried about.”

“Then what is it? Because you’ve been on edge for three weeks, and something has to give soon.”

Elia sighed heavily, wrapping her hands around the cup of spiked cider and taking another sip. She wasn’t ready to answer the question. She wasn’t ready to face the truth of why this hurt so much. Right now, she wanted to sit in that anger a bit longer, and she wanted it all directed at someone who could very easily distract her from the real reason why she was so upset by it all.

“Fine, keep your silence.” Abagail sighed. “Call me when you’re ready to talk, okay? I promise I’ll answer this time.”

Elia chuckled lightly. “You’re going out of the country for two weeks. I don’t think you’ll have time to take my call on your whirlwind vacation with your newest fling.”

“Oh, you never know.” Abagail smiled. “I need to get going. But seriously, Elia. Call me when you’re ready to get over yourself and actually talk about what’s going on.”

“I will.” Elia latched her hand onto Abagail’s arm and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Have a good trip.”

“I always do.” Abagail wrapped her free arm across Elia’s shoulders and gave her a side hug, pushing Elia’s boundaries forphysical comfort. But they both knew that Abagail was the only one that Elia would allow to do this. “See you.”

“Email me when you get there.”

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