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“You think that’ll be enough to avoid some of the conflicts that come up?”

Elia shook her head. “No, but it’s a start. This school hasn’t had this kind of relationship conflict to navigate in a very long time, and no one was around the last time, it was in the fifties. Things were vastly different then. Kam and Jensen have spoken with a few other schools to get copies of their policies to try and create some for Windermere.” Elia ripped the bag of dried french onion soup and dumped it into the sour cream.

“My HR brain still thinks this is an awful idea, and no one is going to come out the other end of it well.”

Elia agreed. “I know, but I think it can work out.” She had to believe that, because she’d rescinded her resignation and stopped looking for new jobs for the upcoming year. Kamryn still hadn’t told her if she was planning on applying for the permanent Head of School position, but Elia suspected that she would. Windermere was in her blood, and she’d want to stay there since she’d spent so long trying to get back.

Abagail frowned. “Mynewhire, remember her? Ivy?”

“Yeah. Is something wrong again?”

“She can’t keep a nanny to save her life.” Abagail groaned. Maybe if they stuck to talking about work then they could ease back into their friendship. “Actually, I don’t think it’s her who’s the problem. Remember when I said we were hired by her friend’s company?”

“I do.” Elia stirred the dry soup mix into the sour cream with a spoon and spared Abagail a glance.

“They share a nanny, and I think she’s the problem. But would Ivy listen to me? Nope. Apparently since I don’t have kids, I shouldn’t have an opinion.”

Elia pursed her lips. “As her boss, you do get some opinion.”

“Right? That’s what I said. I don’t care who takes care of her kid, but if the nanny constantly doesn’t show up so she can’t come into work, then that’s a boss opinion.” Abagail threw her hands up before she grabbed one bottle of wine and rifled through the drawer for the corkscrew. “And trust me, if it was just once in a blue moon, I wouldn’t care, but we’re talking repeated issues every single month. It’s affecting the office.”

“That’s gotta be hard on you.” Elia finished the chip dip and started to pull out some more food that she’d gotten for the small get-together they were having. She should have started this sooner, but she had been so nervous about seeing Abagail again that she’d avoided it.

Abagail blew out a breath in an exaggerated fashion and rolled her eyes. “It’s awful.”

The front door opened, and Kamryn came in with Greer right behind her. She stopped briefly before plastering on a smile and taking off her jacket. Greer looked a lot worse for wear than the last time Elia had seen her at the wedding. Kamryn hadn’t been lying when she said that she was worried about her best friend.

“Wine?” Abagail asked loudly from the kitchen. “I just opened the bottle.”

“Yes. Please,” Greer said, stepping forward and coming directly toward them.

Kamryn stayed behind a little as she continued to observe the situation. Elia had seen her do that several times throughout the years, and now was no different. Kamryn was trying to size up everything that was happening and everything she didn’t knowabout without asking direct questions. It was adorable, honestly, along with the fact that she was still so protective of Elia even though Elia could definitely handle herself in this situation.

With everyone in the kitchen while Elia worked on the snacks she’d bought for the night, it was crowded. But it felt so good. For so long, Elia had believed that her life was going to remain lonely, that she wouldn’t have friends or family to join her for special events like this or for holidays. But in the last four months that had completely turned upside down. Kamryn had encouraged her to reach out to other staff and faculty and continue to build on the relationships that were already there instead of holding them at arm’s length.

It meant that Simone and Andra were coming over shortly. Andra with her new husband, though Simone said she wasn’t going to bring hers. Elia hadn’t thought twice about it until Kamryn had said she’d found that odd.

Kamryn set a wine glass in front of Elia and trailed her fingers down Elia’s arm before settling her hand on the small of Elia’s back. She leaned in, and Elia turned to press their lips together in a small and welcome kiss. She sighed into it and relaxed, silently letting Kamryn know that everything was okay.

“Andra said they’re on their way,” Kamryn said, her voice quiet. “I brought some card games to keep ourselves entertained if we need them.”

“Good idea,” Elia murmured back, lifting her chin up for a fuller kiss from Kamryn. When their lips parted, Elia really settled into the moment. These were the people that she was creating her family with. And it was amazing just to even have that opportunity now instead of before when she thought it would never happen.

Elia was happy, and it rested on her shoulders so well. She didn’t want to give this up. It didn’t take long for the four of them to finish plating up the food and setting it on the dining roomtable. Elia kept close to Kamryn, needing the physical support from her to stay present in the moment.

She was used to backsliding into the past, and with Abagail’s latest drama added in, Elia was sure to stick with the one person she knew would be safe.

The knock on the door was excited. Kamryn touched Elia’s arm lightly before she went to answer it.

Andra squealed as soon as she stepped inside, wrapping her arms around Kamryn’s shoulders and squeezing her tight. Greer frowned slightly at the move. “Is that not normal?” Elia asked Greer.

“No, not really. She seems…forced. We’ll see.” Greer walked over to join in the fray, hugging her friend. Simone, however, stood a step back, gripping onto her purse strap tightly. This was the first time Elia had invited her over to her house, and it was going to be awkward at first. At least until they could start to figure out who they were outside of the work environment. But she had full confidence that they’d be able to do that.

Elia played hostess, getting everyone drinks and showing them the snacks. When they were settled onto the couches, she couldn’t help but notice the odd behavior between Simone and Andra. Elia wasn’t the only one who noticed it either.

Andra sat close to Greer, with Simone on the other side of her, leaving Garrett to fend for himself in one of the uncomfortable dining room table chairs that they’d dragged over to have the right number of seats. Elia felt bad for the poor guy, being the odd man out.

“Garrett and I moved in with his parents,” Andra said, frowning slightly.