Page 116

Humming, Kamryn bent down and put her lips a breath away from Elia’s. “Do you want me to kiss you now?”

“Yes.” Elia breathed the word.

When Kamryn’s mouth touched hers, Elia melted. She stayed right where she was, giving Kamryn everything that she wantedand more. Elia closed her eyes, holding tightly onto this moment—one where they were understanding each other, where they were going together in hope for what might come next. Pulling away, Elia licked her lips and smiled.

“We do need to talk, though.”

“Talk?” Kamryn raised an eyebrow. “What’s there to talk about?”

“Whether or not I’m staying at Windermere.”

Kamryn’s step faltered. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t you think it’d be better if I started applying at other schools? Especially if you apply for the permanent position?” Elia started walking back toward the house. She was getting chilled to the bone far more quickly than she anticipated. And she wanted to get warm.

“It’s an option, but I thought the way things were going so far was fine. Marshall’s back, and that takes our conflict of interest one step farther away.”

“But it’s still going to be there no matter what we do. There might be work-arounds, but it doesn’t mean that students or other staff and faculty won’t try to play that out when they shouldn’t.” Elia kept her hand locked in Kamryn’s. She wasn’t going to let go. “I just think that maybe I should. It’d be easier for me to find another job than you.”

Kamryn frowned, and she stopped Elia just in front of her mother’s house. She shook her head. “Stay.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“I know that.” Kamryn kissed Elia’s cheek. “But I want you to stay at Windermere. I enjoy getting to see you so often, and I don’t want to give up what little time we have together. Besides, if you go to another school, then we’ll be opponents at Speech. And you’ll know all of our tricks.”

Elia laughed lightly. “As if there are tricks in Speech.”

Kamryn shrugged. “Stay. Please. I want you to.”

“I love you, Kam.” Elia leaned up and kissed her quickly. “You’re so understanding, even when you probably shouldn’t be.”

“When shouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know.” Elia relaxed. “I don’t know if I would have been as calm if I’d found you and Lauren kissing.”

“Lauren and I have a very different history than you and Abagail. You really can’t compare the two. It’d be like Greer and me. And that has never happened, nor will it.” Kamryn wrapped her arm around Elia’s shoulder and pulled her in tightly against her side. “I have a very particular question for you.”

“Okay?” Elia looked up into Kamryn’s dark eyes, even darker when the sun was down. “What’s the question?”

“Is sex off limits when we’re at your mother’s? I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

“You want to have sex?” Elia wrinkled her brow. “Now?”

“No, not now!” Kamryn snorted. “But maybe tonight. I don’t know. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe next time you drag me here.”

“Drag you here? Are you coming for another holiday?”

Kamryn shrugged slightly. “I will if you invite me.”

That was music to Elia’s ears. She loved thinking that they were going to be spending more time together, and more holidays together. It meant that their relationship truly was one that might last. And with all the drama and fear she’d had in the beginning about that, she was glad to see that they were defeating the odds against them.

“Yes, we can have sex.”

“Oh good. Now, just how deaf is your mom?”

“Kam!” Elia playfully hit Kamryn’s arm. “Don’t you dare.”

“Dare what? Make you scream.”