Chapter 7

Diana joined the line of teachers forming near the end of the gym. A woman with short black hair, who looked to be about her age, turned and offered a warm smile.

“Hi, I’m Amelia. You must be the new English teacher.”

“Guilty.” Diana smiled back. “Am I the only new hire this year?”

“Yep. And your arrival’s been the talk of the staff room all week.”

They made their way toward a temporary desk at the front of the gym, where portable chairs had been arranged in neat rows. Diana and Amelia each picked up a thick binder and a training manual.

“Want to sit with me?” Amelia asked.

“Definitely. I’d rather not feel like the one random stranger no one talks to.”

“You’ll be fine.” Amelia flipped open her binder. “I hope you slept well, though. These teacher-institute days are long, and painfully boring. But I’m sure you know that from your last job.”

Before Diana could reply, the principal strolled up to the microphone at the front of the gym. He wore a bow tie, old-fashioned tweed slacks, and small round glasses perched at the tip of his nose—like he’d walked straight out of a 1950s textbook.

“Good morning and welcome back!” his voice echoed through the space. “We’ll begin reviewing safety protocol in five minutes. If anyone would like a bagel or coffee, now’s the time.”

Amelia leaned in and subtly pointed toward the back row. “See the gorgeous one with the yoga posture and attitude? That’s Georgina Eastland—the gym teacher. She applied for your position. Let’s just say she wasn’t thrilled when she didn’t get it.”

Diana’s stomach rumbled in protest.

“I think I’d better grab a bagel before I pass out. Want anything?”

Amelia yawned. “Black coffee. No sugar. And maybe a miracle to get through this morning.”

Diana grinned and made her way toward the refreshments at the back. She snagged a bagel and balanced it on a napkin, then moved toward the coffee station. As she poured Amelia’s cup, the principal’s voice crackled over the loudspeaker.

“If everyone could please take your seats, we’ll begin shortly.”

Diana turned, juggling the cup and plate, and collided straight into a broad chest.

Hot coffee splashed across both of them.

“Oh no—” Diana gasped.

Papers fluttered to the floor. Steve let out a sharp yelp and took an instinctive step back. Silence fell over the room as heads turned. A few teachers snickered. Some whispered. Great. So much for low profile.

Diana blinked in rapid panic. “I didn’t know you worked here.”

Steve stared down at his dripping shirt, and then looked up with a crooked smile. “So you dumped coffee on me? That’s your greeting?”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She grabbed a wad of napkins and dabbed uselessly at the mess on his chest.

Steve caught her hand gently. “Hey. I’m kidding. It’s fine. Accidents happen.”

“Still, your shirt is—ugh, it’s completely soaked. Coffee stains are permanent.”

He gave a casual shrug. “Didn’t like this one anyway. Makes me look like a geometry teacher.”

Diana laughed, a nervous little sound, and pulled her hand away. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Scout’s honor,” Steve said. Then, lowering his voice, “But I think if we don’t sit down soon, we’re going to be part of the slideshow next year under ‘Welcome Back Bloopers.’”

Diana glanced at the faces still turned their way and winced. “Would you ... do me a favor?” she whispered. “Don’t mention the other day. To anyone.”

Steve’s eyes softened. “Of course not.”

She gave a small, grateful nod and hurried back to her seat, handing the coffee to Amelia, who raised her eyebrows in amusement but said nothing. Steve stayed near the back wall, looking faintly amused himself.

Principal Livingston cleared his throat and leaned toward the mic.

“Well, I see many of you have already met our newest addition, Miss Diana Snow.” He gestured toward her with a grandfatherly flourish. “She’ll be teaching freshman English and also heading up some of our senior AP courses.”

He looked at her over his glasses. “Miss Snow comes to us from the bustling city of Denver, and I’m confident she’ll be an excellent asset to our school.”

A polite round of applause rippled through the gym. Diana felt her cheeks flame red as dozens of eyes found her again.

Steve watched her from the back, his arms crossed, a smile tugging at his lips. Poor Diana. She’d made a memorable first impression, all right. Well, second impression. And both times not the kind anyone wanted.