Page 49

I yawned as I pulled up my school email. I tossed and turned all night, long after reading Beckett’s response to my request to meet after school today. It had taken me at least an hour before I gathered the courage to send it, and seeing his three-word response,I’ll be there, was a bit of a letdown. Which didn’t make any sense. I was the one to tell him we’d be able to walk away after having sex. Yet I couldn’t seem to take my own advice and stay totally impartial.
I was grateful I’d decided to include Zoey in our meeting. With her there, it should temper my uncertainty about what to say or how to act. It would be strictly business.
At the top of my inbox was a message from Barbara, Principal Olsen’s secretary.
Please see Principal Olsen the moment you get in.
My chest tightened, and panic raced up and down my spine.Oh God. Had one of the kids seen us kiss and mentioned it to their parents? I forced myself to breathe slowly and worked to calm my heart rate.
I texted Ruby.
Wren
Shit! The principal wants to see me!
Ruby
Do you think he knows?
I’d talked to her Saturday, and she knew about my kiss with Beckett along with what went on in the bathroom Sunday. I had begged her not to say anything to Grayson. The fewer people that knew, the better.
Wren
I don’t know. Maybe.
Ruby
Text me when it’s over. I can get out early. Raya’s here this afternoon. Want to drink wine and watch a movie?
Wren
I have the Gemstone Club today and my meeting with Beckett.
Ruby
After that?
Wren
Yes please. We might need two bottles tonight. I should go. It won’t look good if I’m on my phone when I get there.
Ruby
Okay. Good luck. Message me as soon as you’re done.
I shoved my phone into the pocket of my dress. With each step I took toward the office, my palms grew sweaty and spots danced before my eyes. Instead of slowing down, my feet sped up, and the closer I got, the more my stomach churned with nausea.
I needed to find a way to calm myself. Happy thoughts! I immediately pictured adorable puppies, rainbows, my students, and me curled up on my couch, spending all day reading. I repeated these thoughts over and over until I reached the main office, and felt my panic recede the tiniest bit.
“Good morning, Barbara.” I forced a smile to my face.
She sighed. “I don’t know what you did, but he’s not happy this morning,” she warned me.
I shrugged. “I have no idea.” I did though, and my heart’s pounding started its marathon pace again. I forced my feet to walk to his door and knocked on the wooden frame.
He sat there, his fingers steepled before him, his bushy eyebrows lowered. “Have a seat, Ms. Winter.”
I sat without saying a word. I still had no idea what he knew.