Page 42 of Promises We Meant to Keep (Love in Massachusetts #1)

forty-two

“I’ve got wine!” Abagail cheered loudly as she stepped into Elia’s front door.

It had taken two weeks after Thanksgiving for Abagail to call Elia, and it had taken another month before they’d agreed to get together. Elia’s stomach was in knots, but they both needed this. Abagail’s kiss, but more her confession of her feelings, couldn’t ruin a friendship that had been so strong for decades. Elia wouldn’t allow it to happen.

“Perfect,” Elia said, leaning in, pressing a kiss to Abagail’s cheek like she always would, and hugged her. But she hesitated, and she could tell that Abagail could tell. She sighed. They’d get better at this with time. At least that’s what Kamryn kept telling her.

“Kamryn just went to get Greer, so they should be here shortly.” Elia took the two wine bottles that Abagail had brought and headed toward the kitchen. She needed a drink to steady her hands already. She had really wanted Kamryn to be back before Abagail got there, but she was out of luck.

“How is everything going with Kam? You haven’t talked about her much lately.”

Elia had specifically avoided that while on the phone with Abagail, due to circumstances. But she couldn’t avoid it forever, and she needed to work on getting over it so that she could work on her relationship with her best friend.

“It’s going well. Marshall is back, so he’s been my direct supervisor for the last month. It’s been an adjustment, but it’ll be better in the long run I think.” Elia pulled out the sour cream from the fridge and started to scoop it into a bowl.

“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 She had to believe that, because she’d rescinded her resignation and stopped looking for new jobs for the upcoming year.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. “My new hire, 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 know about 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 room table. 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.

Elia couldn’t tell if she meant for it to come out so sad or not.

“It’s just temporary, for a few months—we hope. We don’t want to impose.”

“It’s not an imposition,” Simone chimed in. “You’re welcome as long as you need.”

Except that also seemed strained. Elia had known Simone for many years now, and she’d never seen that tight pull on her face, or the squinting look that she just gave. There was definitely more to the story there that she’d have to find out later. But she wasn’t sure that a room full of other people was the place to really dive into it.

“I’m living with Kam for a while,” Greer chimed in. “Life changes rapidly, and sometimes, we just need friends and family who can support us.” Greer threw her arm around Andra’s shoulders and nodded. “Isn’t that right, Kam?”

“Yes, it is.” Kamryn slid onto the arm of the chair that Elia was sitting in. She pressed her hand against Elia’s shoulder and smiled down at her.

“If I could get another job, then I could move out any time.” Greer scrunched her nose up. “I didn’t think it would be this hard to find a long-term nannying position.”

Abagail’s eyes lit up. “I forgot you were a nanny.”

Greer grinned. “Yes, I love it. I’m not sure I could do anything else with my life.”

“I might have just the solution for you.” Abagail raised an eyebrow at Greer.

That could work to the advantage of both of them. Kamryn leaned in and whispered to Elia, “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

“Do you trust Greer to make her own decisions?”

“Most days. Except when there’s gin involved.”

Elia would have to ask about that later. “Let her figure it out then. She needs a job, and Abagail was just bemoaning her newest hire, Ivy, and her problem situation with the lack of a consistent and good nanny.”

“Oh, well then, Greer might be the perfect solution. And it would get her off my couch. Though I do enjoy coming home to a clean apartment and fresh cooked meals every day.” Kamryn chuckled lightly. “I’m not exactly a good housekeeper.”

“Hmm, never would have guessed that one.” Elia’s lips twitched upward in a slight smile. The tease was there, although light, and Kamryn grinned in response, accepting it for what it was. “Let them talk. Will you help me with refilling drinks?”

“Absolutely.” Kamryn stood up first, and then held out her hand for Elia. They walked hand-in-hand to the kitchen.

Elia wasn’t quite ready to let go, so she pulled Kamryn in a bit. “I never thought I’d be the one with the full house for an early Christmas celebration.”

“You just didn’t realize how popular you actually are.” Kamryn winked before leaning in for a kiss. “Or how popular you could be.”

Elia smiled. “I think you have me mistaken for someone else. Five guests is hardly popular.”

“But it’s a start.” Kamryn kissed her again. “I forgot to mention to you that I turned in my application on Friday.”

“For Head of School?”

Kamryn nodded. “I needed to make a decision, finally, and what better time than right before the Christmas break?”

“Are you nervous?”

“Hell yes.” Kamryn curled her hair behind her ear. “I don’t know who else is applying, and I want to know, but at the same time, I don’t want to know at all.”

“Well, I’ll spoil one thing for you.” Elia squeezed Kamryn’s hands. “I didn’t apply this time.”

Laughing, Kamryn shook her head. “Oh no! You were my greatest competition. Now I’ll wipe the floor with the rest of them.”

Elia grinned as she snagged the bottle of wine to start to head back to the living area with the rest of her guests. She didn’t want to neglect them by focusing too much on Kamryn. But Kamryn pulled her back, putting her hand on the wine bottle and setting it onto the counter.

“Not so fast, Dr. Sharpe. I need to know why you didn’t apply for the Head of School position.” Kamryn slid her fingers from Elia’s cheek to her neck to the top of her chest. “Is it perhaps because you want to avoid any more conflicts between you and a certain someone?”

“Maybe.” Elia’s breathing increased. She looked up into Kamryn’s eyes. “Maybe it’s because I know that I won’t get hired.”

“We’re not back to that, are we?” Kamryn frowned, genuine concern filtering through what had been fiery passion and flirtation.

“No. We’re not,” Elia confirmed. “I just realized that I’m happy where I am. I don’t see the need to change a single thing.”

“Not one thing?”

Elia shook her head. “Nothing.”

“What if… and bear with me on this because it’s not something that would happen right away, and I don’t want you to panic your little heart out. But what if I did get the job, and what if I moved into the Head of School house.” Kamryn dropped her gaze to Elia’s lips, and Elia knew that she was debating whether or not to kiss her.

“So you move.” Elia furrowed her brow, not quite following Kamryn’s train of thought. “It’ll be a whole lot nicer than the apartment in the dormitories.”

“It will be,” Kamryn agreed. “Far more…privacy than even your home here.”

“Yes.” They could use that to their advantage, though they’d never seemed to have issues with Elia’s house either. “Kam, I’m not sure I’m following.”

“If I get the job, move in with me.” Kamryn flicked her gaze up to Elia’s. “I’m serious.”

“And if you don’t get the job?” Elia asked.

“Then I’m going to be jobless and homeless and probably crashing on your couch.” Kamryn’s grin was full of cocky flirting.

Elia adored it. She pulled Kamryn in for a quick kiss. “Let’s be honest here. You won’t be sleeping on the couch.”

“Good to know.” Kamryn kissed her again. “And the other thing?”

“We’ll figure that out when it becomes an actual possibility.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, I promise.” Elia kissed her again. “Now, my guests are without wine, and I know how cranky Abagail gets without it. Let’s get back to them, shall we?”

“If you want to.” Kamryn smiled, the move lighting up her entire face. She took Elia’s hand in hers and they walked back to the living room together. It couldn’t have been a more perfect night. It was exactly what Elia had been wanting for years.