Page 13 of The Headmaster’s Rule

Juliana snorts a sardonic laugh. “Sounds about right.”

I cradle my coffee, considering telling her about my little crush. I’m sure she wouldn’t judge me, and it would be fun to talk to someone about it, especially since the fall fundraiser won’t be going anywhere. At least, not with me on board.

“So… Headmaster Wright?” I ask, testing the waters.

Juliana looks amused. “What about him?”

I lift a shoulder, trying to be nonchalant. “He’s really stern and serious, but… he’s kind of hot, don’t you think? In an older man sort of way?”

She spits out her coffee. “Um, gross.”

Heat slaps my cheeks, and I stare into my cup, mortified. What the hell was I thinking, saying that to a colleague? Where are my professional boundaries?

“Yeah, sorry,” I mutter, sipping my coffee to cover my embarrassment. “He’s our boss.”

Juliana gives me a strange look. “No—” she cuts herself off, tilting her head as she examines me for a long moment. “Do you really not know?”

“Know what?”

She lets her breath out slowly, leaning back in her chair as she casts her gaze across the faculty lounge. Teachers sit in groups, sipping coffee and lamenting their classes, and she seems to savor this for a moment, before turning to me with an expression of grim resignation.

“Well, you’ll find out eventually.” She lifts her coffee to her lips. “Headmaster Wright is my father.”

I blink. “What?”

She nods.

“Wait.” I set my cup down, head spinning. “Are you serious?”

A wry smile curls her lips as she watches me process this. “Yes.”

So that’s why Mr. Fells said everyone would remember her. They already knew who she was.

“I went to school here.”

Of course she did. The way she knew where everything was, the ease and confidence in her movements through the school halls. I figured that was just her, but now I understand.

“Dad went to school here too,” she adds. “My grandfather was headmaster before him.”

My jaw falls open. It’s like a family dynasty.

Juliana’s brow pinches. “Are you going to treat me differently now?”

I think of how lovely she’s been since I arrived, and shake my head. “No. But why didn’t you tell me?”

“I figured you knew. Or you’d hear it from someone. And when you didn’t bring it up…” She shrugs. “That was nice. It feels like everyone else here only sees me as his daughter. I’m pretty sure they all think I only got the job because of him.”

I frown. “Really?”

“They’re probably right.”

“I doubt that.”

She gives me a grateful smile. “Thanks.” Her eyes dance as she gazes at me over her mug. “So you think my dad’s hot, huh?”

Oh, God.

I wish I could slide under the table. My cheeks must be scarlet. I consider backtracking, but I’ve already said it aloud. There’s no taking it back now.