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However, until this moment, we’d never spoken to one another, so I wasn’t all that secure in our relationship. That is, until she paired us as a unit—the readers who share books.

“I know,” Zev says. “That’s how Rosie and I became friends, too.” His brows lift as he says the nickname that Carlos accidentally gave me. “She’s going to get me to read a romantic comedy with a small-town hero and a city girl⁠—”

“There was no city girl.” I smirk, warmth flooding my cheeks.

Zev looks at me, his eyes taking me in, almost as if we’ve been friends for ages. “There’s always a city girl.”

Partida covers her mouth with a giggle. It’s a sweet giggle. One that makes me happy. I’m just so glad she’s having a good day.

“What grade will you be in next year?” I ask her.

“Fifth. It’s the best field trip year. We’ll get to go to the aquarium in Reno, and we’ll camp at Lake Tesoro and look at the stars with a telescope.”

“Whoa,” I say—because I wanna do that. “That’s cool. We never did anything like that at my school.” I dart my gaze over to Zev. “You?”

He shakes his head. “Nope.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty cool. And when I get bored, I’ll have a book.”

“I don’t think you’ll get bored at the aquarium. You know what, there’s this book I saw at the bookstore, it’s all about a baby whale’s journey after it gets caught in a trap and has to reunite with its mom. It might be fun to read that before you go.”

“Yeah,” she says with a wide grin. “And then we can read Zevulun’s romance novel before we go look at the stars.” She smothers another giggle.

“Hey,” Zev whines, though it’s far from real. “Am I getting picked on?”

Partida shakes her head, but her grin is too wide to be believable.

We talk for another hour about books and science and even Partida’s latest Disney Channel obsession, with Carlos checking in as he takes care of his tables. Partida is sweet, a little sassy, and so stinking smart. I love her. Just like I knew I would. After one morning together, she might be my new best friend—right after Fran, of course.

When her mother picks her up, I’m truly sad to see her go.

I sigh and lean back in my chair.

“You look happy.” Zev’s watching me.

I breathe out a laugh. “It was a fun morning. I love her.”

“It was. She’s a great kid.”

“She is a great kid.” I sit straighter. “Smart and funny and kind of amazing.”

“You two got along well.”

I laugh. “We all did. She really took to you.”

“Yeah, well, Partida has me thinking…”

“About?”

Zev shrugs, but there’s a knowing glint in his eye. “It’s none of my business. And not for me to decide. But maybe teaching college or upper-level kids isn’t right for you after all.”

“Really? One conversation with a fifth grader and you’ve already decided?”

“Only you can decide that. But you lit up a little differently around that girl.” He lifts his hands as if in defeat. “I can’t deny what I saw, Rosie.”

Twenty-Seven

I know in my other life—the before and after, I like to call it—that I taught elementary school. It was one of the realities I couldn’t avoid. I had to formally take medical leave to get paid. And I’m still planning on quitting—I needed to know where to send my letter of resignation.