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“Tristan also suggested a security system for the house. We had something simple, but I do think I’ll go ahead and upgrade that.”
“Makes sense.” Kayla opened her freezer. “I have ice cream if you want a little dessert?”
“Sure. There’s always room for ice cream.” I turned around and looked at Kayla’s apartment. “You don’t have any cameras or anything, do you?”
“No.” Kayla brought the ice cream tub, bowls, and a scoop over to the counter. “The building’s pretty safe. I’ve never worried about anything, living here.”
Neither had I in my place. Should I push? I didn’t want to make her nervous or have her worried about living in her home. Kayla was a strong, independent woman. It was something I loved about her. “If you ever decide you want a system—or to move—let me know and I’ll help with the cost.”
“I can handle my own finances.” She frowned at me. “I’m not looking for handouts.”
“I know that.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “I’m offering to help, that’s all.”
“Okay. Then I guess I appreciate it. Even if it’s unnecessary.” She put a bowl of ice cream in front of me. “I’m not with you because of your money.”
“I know that.” I looked up and waited until she met my gaze. “I do.”
She nodded once. “Good.”
I scooped a bite of rocky road and let the chocolate and marshmallow soothe. I wanted to tell her that not being with me for my money didn’t mean I couldn’t still spend it on her. But that was unlikely to go over very well right now. So I’d leave it alone. We were in a good place.
Or a good-ish one.
It would be better if we could get back to the place where I was just another anonymous teacher, but that wasn’t super likely. So we’d figure out a way to move forward from here.
Together.
27
KAYLA
“How are you doing?”
I glanced over as Austin fell into step beside me on my way out of the building. It was the end of a long day—school days seemed to be getting longer and longer right now—and I just wanted to go home to my cats. “Okay, I guess. You?”
Austin shook his head. “Just left a meeting with the principal. She told me my contract wouldn’t be renewed after this year. I am, and I quote, too distracting of a presence on school grounds.”
“Oh.” I stopped and closed my eyes, gathering myself a moment, before I turned to look at him. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. I guess it’s not unexpected. Not with how things have been going. But I’m disappointed.” He paused and cleared his throat. “She suggested I take the rest of the week to consider making long-term sub plans and letting someone else finish out the year.”
“Suggested?” Anger stirred in my heart. “Or requested.”
He shrugged. “Same difference, really. It doesn’t feel like me working out the rest of the year is an option actually on the table. So I guess I’ll be putting some long-term sub plans together. I hope they get someone who actually knows math.”
I chuckled. “I’m pretty sure the one lady who was doing the long-term sub thing finally found a full-time drama position.”
“I don’t know why someone would take a math job—even a temp one—if they hated math.”
I nudged him with my elbow. “A lot of people like paying bills and eating.”
“Yeah, all right. But come on. There are other sub options.” He scowled and kicked at a loose rock on the sidewalk. “I don’t want to quit. I love my job.”
I rubbed his arm, hoping to soothe. “You’re going to love the learning center even more. And this leaves you free to be more involved in the day-to-day construction stuff. That’s a good thing, right?”
“You know what’s a good thing? Not leaving my advanced seniors in a lurch at the end of the year. Or maybe staying on top of the freshmen in my algebra class whose parents have convinced them they don’t actually need to know this in real life, so they’re barely skating by. Because I guess it doesn’t matter that it’s a state graduation requirement.” Austin shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m tempted to ask Tristan if I can sue the papers for ruining my career, but I know I can’t.”
“No. You were good enough not to bring up the whole free speech thing to me when I was ranting, so I’ll return the favor.”
