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Eli gave her a hard stare before setting her water on the table and straightening her back before leaning over conspiratorially. “All right, let’s talk about that fact that you two are vacationing together.”

“So? Friends do that a lot of the time.”

Eli pursed her lips. “Fine. I’ll give you that one. You two are sharing a room.”

“You didn’t have any other rooms available.”

“Yes, but you didn’t even hesitate.”

Azalea took a long sip of her drink. “I do believe I said if another room were to become available, that I wanted it.”

“Fine.” Eli rocked onto one side then the other. “It’s the way she looks at you.”

“What?” Azalea raised both her eyebrows, the glass perched at her lips before she lowered it. “What are you talking about?”

“Azalea, she looks at you like she longs for you.”

“Jewel does not.” Azalea looked around the room to make sure that Jewel was nowhere nearby. She did not need this conversation to happen within earshot. “We’re best friends, nothing more.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes.” Azalea finished her wine and set the empty glass down. “I’m positive. She just went through a hard break up and needed a break, and I thought it’d be a nice getaway to be here.”

Eli hummed out her disbelief.

“I’m serious.”

“Maybe you are. Maybe you just haven’t thought about it yet.”

“What are you going on about? There is nothing going on between the two of us.”

“Look.” Eli put both her hands out. “I don’t want to pry. You know me. But I have also known you for years, and I have never seen you this invested in someone else before. For five years you have talked about Jewel. Never Ms. West. Jewel. All the other teachers you work with, when you talk to me about them, you talk to me about the with their surnames.”

“I—”

“Don’t talk just yet. I know you have a different relationship with Jewel. You’re here after all, aren’t you? You know I won’t judge you. There’s a significant age gap between the two of you. Hell, I think she’s younger than me.”

“Only by two years,” Azalea murmured.

“Azalea!”

“What?” She turned her nose up at Eli.

“You’re a cradle robber.”

“There is nothing going on.” Azalea remained firm. She would not give in to this line of interrogation. She would not taint Jewel’s name in the community. She would not make it any harder for Jewel to be a teacher there. That was her own burden to shoulder.

Eli laughed. “Oh my God, I’m so right.”

“You are not.”

“Tell me this, Azalea. Do you like her?”

“I love her. She’s my best friend.” Azalea gave her answer without hesitation. She’d told people that before, and yet, there seemed to be a different nuance to it this time. A different emphasis. Azalea breathed out the emotion that was treading so carefully toward something she didn’t want to think about.

Eli gripped her hand, squeezing. “Think about it.”

“Think about what?”