Page 2 of That One Night
ONE WEEK LATER
There was something bittersweet about standing in an empty classroom after the last bell of the year had rung. Emery gently pulled the final poster from the bulletin board, smoothing it out before placing it on her desk with the others she’d made months ago.
Everything was clean. Quiet. Done.
“Please tell me you’re ready,” Maisie called from the doorway, her tote bag slung over her shoulder, sunglasses pushed into her curls. “Because I’m one silent scream away from cocktails and freedom.”
Emery glanced over with a tired smile. “I think I’m gonna skip it.”
Maisie frowned. “You’re going to miss the end-of-year celebration? The others are already at O’Hara’s. They’ve got tequila and questionable karaoke. Come on, it’s tradition.”
“I’m not in the mood.”
Maisie walked in and began gathering stacks of cardstock from Emery’s desk, carrying them toward the supply closet. She didn’t even have to ask where they went. After four years of teaching second grade together, and being best friends, Maisie knew Emery’s system by heart.
“And you weren’t in the mood last night either,” she pointed out. “Or the night before that.”
Emery followed her, locking up the cabinet after she’d stacked the last of her things. “Because I’m leaving tomorrow. I’ve got a long drive, and a lot of work waiting for me.”
“You also just ended a ten-year relationship,” Maisie pointed out, her tone gentler now. “You’re allowed to wallow. Or rage. Or scream-sing breakup songs at an Irish bar.”
Emery huffed out a laugh. “I’m too tired to scream-sing. And I don’t feel like wallowing over Trenton.”
Maisie paused, then gave her a look. “Good. Because I wasn’t planning to let you for long. I’m still hoping you’ll come with me to Europe, where you’ll fall in love with a gorgeous Italian who doesn’t own a single dating app.”
“You know I can’t.” Emery’s smile faded. “My mom needs me there to help her. The farm’s too much for her on her own, and with Dad gone...”
Her voice caught. Just a little.
Maisie softened. “I know. I just hate seeing you tied in knots over this. Especially when you’re still wearing that.” She nodded at Emery’s ring finger.
Emery looked down at the diamond that no longer meant anything. “It makes things easier. For now.”
“Easier for who?” Maisie lifted a brow.
“My mom. She’s still grieving. The last thing she needs is to worry about me too.”
Maisie crossed her arms. “I still can’t believe you agreed to this charade.”
Emery couldn’t quite believe it herself. But she’d given her word and she’d stick to it. Even if Trenton never stuck to his.
Muttering something under her breath that definitely wasn’t school-appropriate, Maisie walked out of the closet.
Emery followed behind, trying not to smile at her friend’s obvious annoyance. “It’s not like I’ll be seeing him,” she pointed out. “He’ll be in Charleston, I’ll be in Hartson’s Creek.”
“But no guy is even going to look at you with a ring on that finger,” Maisie said.
Rolling her eyes, Emery locked the closet behind her. And there it was, school was out for summer. “I have zero desire to start dating again.”
“Not even a tiny desire?” Maisie asked, looking disappointed. “Surely there have to be some hot single guys in Hartson’s Creek.”
“Considering I’ve known 95% of the male population there since kindergarten, I think I’ll pass.”
Maisie narrowed her eyes. “So you're telling me you're going to spend your entire summer working on a farm, pretending you're still engaged, and not even making one bad decision?”
“I’m going to be too busy for bad decisions,” Emery said firmly.
Maisie sighed dramatically. “That’s what I was afraid of. Which is why…” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of lined paper. “I made you this.”
