Page 19

“I wasn’t given an interview.” Elia paled, and everything about her posture pulled in on itself, making her seem even smaller than she was.

“What?” Shock registered through Kamryn. “Why wouldn’t they give you an interview? You’re perfect for this position, farmore than me. Especially as only a temporary fill-in until Dr. Waddy returns.”

Elia dragged in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “What happened last night can’t happen again.”

“I know it can’t. I’ll be more careful next time, and I won’t make such stupid mistakes.” Kamryn ran with the change of topic. This was clearly something that made Elia uncomfortable. “Dr. Sharpe, I’m so sorry that you had to handle the situation like you did last night, and I’m so sorry that I put you in such a compromising position. I’m in over my head with this job. I feel like I’m not even treading water, and no one is respecting me—faculty or the board.”

“You need to prove that you’re worthy of their respect.”

“Theirs or yours?” That was a pointed question, and one that Kamryn only somewhat regretted asking in the heat of the moment.

“You have my respect.” Elia stood up and moved toward the kitchen counter. She pulled out bread and a toaster, sliding two slices into it before pressing down the button.

“With all due respect, Dr. Sharpe, I don’t have your respect.”

Elia frowned and bowed her head slightly. “Elia.”

Kamryn shook her head, not understanding.

“Call me Elia, Kamryn. I’m not your teacher anymore. Certainly not after last night.”

Kamryn’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. It wasn’t until that moment that the memory of the kiss came barreling back into her mind, the way they’d wrapped around each other in the chilly night air, under the lights, the sounds and people all around them. But did she dare bring it up?

“I’m so sorry about that.”

Elia waved her hand in the air, brushing off the apology. “And stop doing that.”

“Doing what?”

“Apologizing.”

Kamryn frowned. “I don’t know what else to do.”

“Eat this.” Elia pushed a plate with two pieces of toast in front of her, along with some butter. “It’ll help your stomach.”

“How’d you know…”

“You’re an odd shade of green.” Elia started more toast as Kamryn turned to the plate.

She wasn’t quite sure that she wanted to eat, at least not yet. She scraped the butter onto the toast and let it melt a bit before she took a small bite and chewed it slowly.

“I didn’t think you would wake up so early,” Elia said as she sat down with her own toast.

Kamryn finally glanced at the clock over the stove and sighed. It wasn’t even seven in the morning yet. “I’m not a very good drunk when it comes to sleeping off the hangovers.”

“Fair.” The toast crunched as Elia took a bite. “Do you want to try coffee?”

Kamryn hummed to herself and closed her eyes, testing her stomach and debating whether or not she could handle it. “Not just yet. Maybe in a little bit. Why are you being so nice to me?”

“You’re not the only one who has had crappy break ups.” Elia said nothing more as she took another bite of her toast and stared Kamryn down.

They sat there in silence a while longer, Elia finishing her breakfast and Kamryn nibbling her way through half a piece of toast. Was this all that it was going to take? Getting drunk, kissing her former teacher in a fit of panic and self-deprecation, and then crashing at her house because she was too drunk to walk home on her own? Kamryn winced at that thought. She really had done a number on her already sketchy reputation.

“I’ve worked in admin before, you know.”

“Have you?” Elia asked. “As Head of School?”

“No.” Kamryn’s cheeks heated again. “Assistant for a few years at Henry Kline Prep.”