Page 55 of The Headmaster’s Rule

My eyebrows lift. “Huh.”

I glance at Paige, who’s suddenly very focused on a spot across the bar.

Juliana shrugs. “People find love in all kinds of places.” Her gaze floats back to me. “It’s not my place to judge.”

I shift my weight as she appraises me for a beat. Does she know? Has her father said something? Or am I that bad at hiding my feelings? But as soon as I’ve had the thought, her gaze slides away, and she motions to the bartender for another round of drinks.

Paige watches her, amused. “I hope this doesn’t offend you, Jules, but you are nothing like I thought you’d be.”

She drains her drink. “How so?”

Paige studies her, swirling the little umbrella in her glass. “I don’t know. The way you dress… and you’re the headmaster’s daughter. Everyone speaks about you with a kind of reverence. I guess I thought you’d be…” She rolls her hand, searching for the word.

“A snob,” I supply helpfully.

Shit, okay, these cocktails are stronger than I realized.

“You’re not,” I hasten to add. “Paige is right. You’re really down to earth.” I motion to the cocktails the bartender sets on the table in front of us. “And fun.”

Juliana laughs, then her pretty face scrunches. “I get sick of being the good girl. Always having to make Daddy proud, keep up appearances, not rock the boat…” She rolls her eyes. “Sometimes I feel like doing something reckless, you know? Something completely unexpected.”

“I get that,” Paige murmurs. “But not at work. Professional boundaries are important.”

Juliana waves a hand, making a “Pshhh” sound. “You just haven’t had a chance to break them yet,” she says with a mischievous gleam in her eye.

“No, but I’ve had plenty of people accuse me of it,” Paige mutters to herself.

Juliana doesn’t seem to hear.

“Not everyone has immunity like you,” Paige adds gently.

Juliana’s brow pinches. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you know.” Paige shifts her weight. “Your father is the headmaster. Your boss. I’m sure he’d forgive you, eventually. I mean… you’re his daughter.” She pauses, considering her words, then adds, “But that probably makes it harder.”

“It does.” Juliana nods, frowning deeply.

I think of Theo in the parking lot, telling me he has “certain expectations” for his daughter, and give her a compassionate smile.

“She’s his only child. I doubt he goes easy on her.”

“Yeah,” Paige concedes. “You’re probably right. I can’t imagine him giving anyone a break.”

Juliana nods. “He’s incredibly hard on me.”

“I think he’s hardest on himself,” I say without thinking, and she slides me a look.

That just popped out. I mean, it’s true, but I probably shouldn’t have said it. But listening to them talk makes me want to jump in and defend him. He’s trying his hardest to keep the school running smoothly, to make everyone around him happy, at the expense of his own happiness. Everyone needs to give the guy a break.

Himself, especially.

There’s a twinge in my heart at the thought, and I lose the battle to sneak a peek at my phone. Disappointment presses against my ribs when I see there’s nothing. I sigh, staring morosely into my cocktail, and Paige stands with a yawn.

“I’d better go. I’ve got an early meeting with some parents tomorrow. But thanks, guys. This was great.”

We wave her off, then Juliana trains her shrewd gaze on me. It reminds me of her father, and I study the menu, even though I won’t be ordering anything else. I still have to drive the few blocks home.

“Now will you tell me?”