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“Ah.”

Elia should have known that if she’d read the CV that was sent out when Kamryn was hired. Either she’d been too mad to read it or the board hadn’t actually sent it like they said they did. Kamryn wouldn’t be surprised if either was the case.

“Are you ever going to tell me why they wouldn’t interview you?” Kamryn took a bigger bite of the toast, hoping this would be the last time her stomach recoiled in response.

“No.”

“Fair.” Kamryn held her breath. “I suppose I should head back to my apartment soon.”

Elia took her plate and rinsed it in the sink. “If you want, or you can stay here a bit longer and recover.”

That almost sounded like an invitation. Was it?

“I don’t want to impose,” Kamryn said, knowing that she had to be polite. She was just getting ready to stand up when another wave of nausea hit her, so she sat heavily back down. “But maybe I’ll give it another thirty minutes.”

“Wise decision.” Elia seemed almost amused by that.

“Ugh.” Kamryn groaned. “I have to say it again. I’m so sorry.”

eight

Elia paused as she walked from the main desk in the empty classroom toward the white board. Kamryn stood in the doorway, leaning against it, with a smile playing at her lips and her arms crossed. Elia narrowed her gaze but twisted the top off the marker none the less.

“What?” Elia barked out.

“You haven’t really changed all that much. You know that, right?” Kamryn seemed so pleased with herself as she stepped farther into the room and leaned against the desk while Elia wrote a few words on the whiteboard.

“I’ve changed more than you might think.”

“Hmm.” Kamryn crossed her arms.

Capping the marker, Elia tossed it onto the top of the desk. “We’ve had twenty new students sign up for the team this year. I’ve added them to the roster and will figure out housing arrangements when I get a chance, at least for the first couple of meets.”

“All business today?” Kamryn asked, her voice nearly a gentle tease.

“I’m only ever business.”

“Memory tells me otherwise. But if you want.” Kamryn picked up the piece of paper that Elia had pointed to earlier. “How are we dividing the coaching up?”

“Let’s play it by ear.” Elia’s stomach bubbled, and she realized belatedly that she’d forgotten to grab her snack from her office.

Kamryn’s phone rang. “I’m going to take this, if you don’t mind.”

“By all means.” Elia left the classroom, checking the time on her watch before snagging the small bag of carrots she’d left on her desk and returning to the classroom.

Kamryn was still sitting on the edge of the desk, but her shoulders were rounded, and she looked absolutely dejected. Elia nearly stopped what she was doing, wanting to help her out or ask what was wrong, but she didn’t. It wasn’t her place to do that.

“All right. Yeah, I understand, but I don’t think she’ll be able to make it.” Kamryn’s voice trailed off, and she glanced up at Elia, her cheeks reddening. “I’ll ask. I promise. Talk to you later. Love you. Bye.”

Kamryn dropped her phone onto the desk with a sigh and picked up the paper now, squinting at it as if she was reading it. But Elia knew that move well. She’d used it so many times in her life that she was sure that distraction and refocusing were exactly what Kamryn was attempting to do.

“Since we both specialize in speech, I suppose one of us should volunteer to teach debate.” Kamryn still didn’t look up from the paper.

“I can do that.” Elia popped a carrot between her lips, snapping off a chunk. She didn’t take her eyes from Kamryn. “What was the call about?”

“Nothing.” Kamryn bristled.

“It upset you.”