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Chapter Five
Looking at the little piece of paper still in her hand, she listened as the clack of Erin’s heels on tile echoed in the distance. That conversation should have been entirely awkward and embarrassing, but it wasn’t. It was easy. Too easy.
Julia could still smell magnolia clinging to the air, but then it was gone. She took a deep breath and leaned on her desk, her face buried in her hands. If they were going to work with each other professionally, she’d have to limit that teasing banter. She’d have to get a hold of herself.
It’d be hard enough to focus around Erin knowing how her lips felt, let alone have to look at that smile. The thought of Erin’s lips curled Julia’s mouth into a smile from ear to ear just as Keegan walked back into the room with an updated meeting schedule flopping in her hands.
Stopping at the doorway, Keegan matched Julia’s upward grin. She closed the door behind her, casting a quick glance in both directions to ensure no one else was approaching, before taking the seat Erin was just in.
“Okay, Julia,” she sighed, plopping the papers on the desk in a heap, “what’s making you smile like that now?”
Julia joked, turning in her chair to face away from Keegan, pretending to file a few papers while she wiped the grin off her face, “obviously these budget reports.”
“How long have we known each other?”
Julia had to consider it for a moment–the years of their friendship mending into an unspeakable bond.
“I think,” she answered finally, “we’re probably coming up on almost 10 years.”
“Exactly. I know everything about you and I know that you don’t go smiling like that over nothing, especially not with being under a microscope of McSellen.”
Of course, she had a point. McSellen was the enemy right now. If anyone else were to look at her, they’d see a professional who always strived for perfection; a published author in many academic journals, a leader in her community, and a friend to all. She’s someone who takes care of each and every student in that school as if they’re her own. She’s the person to everyone, and Keegan knew she wouldn’t be this giddy on a day like today.
“Well?” Keegan’s voice broke through Julia’s thoughts with the force of a hammer.
“No judgment?”
“Listen first, laugh later.” As it should be.
“Do you remember when I said I stayed out too late?” Julia asked, her voice slow and cautious, avoiding eye contact as she glanced back at her planner.
“Yes.” Keegan drew out the word, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
“It was one year yesterday.”
Suddenly, the room felt suffocatingly small. Any hint of teasing enjoyment vanished from Keegan’s brown eyes. She reached out and held Julia’s hand, which unconsciously clenched itself into a fist on the desk.
“I didn’t know.” She shook her head apologetically.
“It’s okay.” Julia gave a plastic smile, one not reaching her eyes. She had to focus to push back the tears. “I, um, I couldn’t go home. I tried and I just couldn’t do it. So, I got in my car and just drove. I stopped at The Tipsy Hatter to clear my head. A woman sat next to me and we talked for nearly an hour–not about anything of consequence. It was almost like we were just both content in the company.” Julia rushed through her words, fearing that if she didn’t blurt it all out at once, she might lose the courage to share any of it.
“I’m happy you had someone.” Keegan spoke quietly, squeezing Julia’s hand softly. “I wish you would’ve called me.”
“You had little Joey’s recital, and by the time I looked at the clock, I’m sure you were long asleep.” She gave a small smile; she felt so small. “I didn’t want to bother you.”
“It is never a bother. I would drop everything for you.” There was a calming moment of silence between them. “So, is that conversation what has been keeping you smiling like a little schoolgirl?”
Julia nodded and then added, “There was a kiss… or two.”
“Kiss!” Keegan shouted too loud, slapping a hand across her face to shut herself up. “Julia Jenner,” she gasped.
“She kissed me!” Julia defended. “And then I kissed her,” she admitted, her hands covering her face in embarrassment. “Oh my God, Keegan. I haven’t had anyone look at me like that in…” She looked up and caught her eyes changing from astonishment to pity in an instant. She hated that look.
“Was there more than a kiss?” Keegan’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, wanting every little detail.
“Almost,” Julia blushed, “but no. I couldn’t. I already felt like a stupid teenager kissing a stranger in a bathroom, of all places!”
“But you know you could, right?”
