Page 12 of Single Glance

But each day I spent with these kids, the harder it was to think about leaving them behind. Watching them grow and learn new things was intoxicating, making me smile for days on end.

A few of my colleagues bustled through the door, breaking me out of my thoughts. On Friday afternoons, everyone left the school in a rush. In another life, I’d be right there with them, excitedly chattering about all the fun thingswe’d planned.

Not me.

Tonight, I had a date with my Netflix account and my couch.

I’d avoided the main house for most of the week. After that strange moment between Cam and me in the kitchen, I wanted to stay off his radar. I still didn’t know what passed over us. How did we end up so close, closer than we’d ever been before? And why, days later, did I have zero clue how I felt about it?

Okay, the second part was a lie. It was intoxicating, being the sole focus of Cam’s attention, like being trapped in the hurricane’s eye, a calm serenity surrounded by overwhelming forces. But it also made an uncomfortable guilt settle in my stomach, like reaching for something that wasn’t mine to take. No matter how settled Victoria and Adam became, Cam would always be her first love, her daughter’s father. I couldn’t allow myself to forget that, no matter what my stupid hormones wanted me to think.

I walked back inside and headed into my classroom, just in time to wave Brianna off for the weekend. I’d tried to ask her to hang out, and she said something about spending time with her husband before evading the question.

As I prepped my lessons for the following week, my mind kept wandering, wondering what would be next for me. While most people needed to have a plan, I was the opposite. I hated the idea of settling for something so routine. It was probably because of my childhood. What most people don’t tell you about living with chaotic parents? You learn to thrive in the unknown. To resist change only led to heartache. Complacency and comfort made me itch, like wearing a sweater that was too tight. In the past, things going well meant more room for disappointment. Now that I was an adult, I’d always chosenthe road less taken, the more challenging one, but it was worthwhile to me.

I refused to always play it safe.

I wanted the adventure.

“Ms. McKay,” the principal, Mr. Cutler, greeted as he knocked on my classroom door. “Can you stop by my office before you head home?”

My heart instantly beat faster. It didn’t matter how old you were; when you got called to the principal’s office, your pulse raced—especially considering I was only a temporary hire.

My anxiety only rose as I followed him into his office, and he shut the door behind us. “So, Ms. McKay, I’ve gotten numerous phone calls from the parents of your students.”

“Oh?” I asked, trying to make my voice calm.

“Yes, they’re very impressed. I agree with them. You’re doing an excellent job running the classroom.”

“Oh!” I said, ducking to hide the color on my cheeks. Even though this job was only for another couple of months, it felt good he’d noticed my hard work. “Thank you, sir. It’s been a pleasure to work here. I’ve loved getting to know the teachers and students.”

“I’m pleased we’ve made a good impression.” Mr. Cutler smiled at me. Just as I was about to stand, he said, “I spoke to Mrs. Noltings last week. She’s one of our fourth-grade teachers. She’s going to have a baby in September, and we need someone to cover her leave. Before I posted the position, I wanted to ask if you would be interested in joining us next year. You would begin right in September alongside Mrs. Noltings and then take over when she went on maternity leave. And who knows,” he chuckled. “Perhaps we’ll find a permanent position for youwhen this wraps up.”

Oh, shit. This was the last thing I expected when I walked into his office. I loved this school, loved the purpose it gave me. This should have been the dream. But agreeing to this job meant my dream of opening a daycare center was dead. The thought zapped all the breath from my lungs.

As if he read the panic on my face, Mr. Cutler continued, “You have some time to think about it. I’ll post the position, and we’ll hold interviews at the beginning of August. If you decide you’d like the job, please let me know. We’d love to have you.”

“I’ll do that,” I said as I stood, not waiting to be dismissed. As soon as I shut the office door, I leaned against the wall. My heart thumped an erratic beat, unable to handle the weight of the decision now resting on my shoulders.

It should have been a simple answer.No, thanks. I had other dreams, ones I was determined to see through. It would also put a hold on dreams of travelling, determined to see more of the world before I tried to find my place in it.

Then again, this job offered stability, probably something I should have put more stock into. But on the other hand, I knew myself. If I stayed at this school, it would pull me in even more, and then I’d never want to leave. Finding a home was always the goal—a place to grow old with four solid walls and a strong foundation. The call was so strong, a large part of me wanted to grab this opportunity with both hands.

The offer was tempting, much more than I even wanted to admit. I meant every word I said—I loved working at this school. The kids were incredible, and I loved my teaching team. Maybe I’d even get to work with Brianna again.

“No,” I spluttered as I pushed myself off the wall. I had a plan, one I owed to myself. I wasn’t ready to give up on my dreams yet. Teaching and everything else would wait. It wouldn’t be this school, but I’d find a job I loved again.

After stopping in my room to grab my things, I jumped into my car, needing the distance to clear my mind. When I got back, I needed to talk to Tori about what happened. She was always the voice of reason, the calm and collected one between the two of us. While I was impulsive, Tori weighed her choices before she ever leaped. It helped us balance the other out. If anyone could help me dissect the competing thoughts in my mind, it would be her.

Honestly, we needed to sit down and discuss our business plans. We’d both skated around it, neither willing to drive that final nail into the coffin. Maybe I could open the place on my own, but we’d developed based on our strengths. Victoria was the level-headed one while I was the dreamer. I’d need someone else to take on her role, someone who had the financial background to make sense of the books and any other fiscal situations. Not my strong suit. But having someone else come in would be hard, especially finding someone to trust and depend on. If that wasn’t Victoria, I didn’t know where I’d look.

As I pulled into the driveway, my smile fell away, not seeing her car parked in its usual spot. I pulled out my phone to text her, but I saw a message already waiting for me.

VICTORIA

Adam got the part! We’re going out tonight to celebrate. Cole and Alex have Emilia, so enjoy the quiet. I’ll fill you in tomorrow.

Normally, I’d be over the moon for her and Adam. She gave everything and more to Emilia, and Tori deserved some time for herself. I forced a smile as I sent her a message back, telling her to have fun and to pass my congratulations to Adam. Assoon as I hit send, I dropped my head back, trying to keep the tears at bay.

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