Jennie nodded thoughtfully. “That’s actually a great idea. The kids love the spotlight without the pressure.”
We reached the teachers’ lounge, and as we set our things down, she glanced at me with a sly smile. “So... is Austin coming to the Holiday Song?”
I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. “Of course he is.”
Jennie smirked. “He’s got it bad for you.”
“Shut up,” I said, laughing as I grabbed my coffee mug.
The truth was, I loved how much he wanted to be a part of my world. It made everything—this new job, the whirlwind of our relationship—feel more grounded. For the past three months, everything between us just... fit. Like puzzle pieces sliding perfectly into place.
I’d even started attending a few of Austin’s therapy sessions. It wasn’t something I’d ever pictured myself doing, but I wanted to be there for him, to understand his struggles and how I could support him better. His therapist, Ralph, was incredible. Warm but no-nonsense, he had a way of making even the hardest conversations feel manageable. I looked forward to those sessions, not just for what I learned about Austin, but for how they brought us closer.
Most weekends, we found ourselves either at Ravens games to cheer on Dirks, or diving headfirst into my bucket list. The list had started as a solo project, but it quickly became our sharedadventure. We’d recently crossed offstreak in the snow, a wild, exhilarating checkmark that left us laughing and shivering all the way back to the car. I still wouldn’t let him see the whole list, though. It was my little secret, and I loved watching him try to guess what was next.
Truthfully, the best days were the ones we spent in bed. Some mornings, we’d barely make it out of the sheets, tangled in each other’s limbs, our bodies moving together in perfect harmony.
Sometimes we made love—slow, deliberate, every touch and kiss full of emotion. Other times, we fucked—wild, unrestrained, and raw, losing ourselves in the sheer physicality of it.
It was everything. Passionate, sweet, and downright filthy when we wanted it to be. And I loved every second of it.
After we grabbed our drinks and headed toward our classrooms, Jennie sighed. “This year has flown by.”
“Tell me about it,” I said, glancing down the hallway toward my classroom. “It’s hard to believe I made it through half the year. From the first-day jitters to now, I actually feel like I know what I’m doing. Most days, anyway.”
Jennie chuckled. “You’re a natural. Even with the curveballs.”
“Let’s hope so,” I muttered. “Because if this new kid throws a wrench in the Holiday Song, I’ll need every ounce of patience I’ve got.”
Jennie gave me a playful nudge. “You’ve got this. And hey, if Austin’s in the audience, you’ll have your biggest cheerleader right there.”
I smiled, feeling a little surge of confidence. “Yeah,” I said softly. “I think I will.”
Jennie stopped at her door. “See you later.”
Since things had settled down, every Friday had become our ritual. After school, Jennie, Sara, Maura, and I would gather at our favorite bar for happy hour. We’d crowd into a booth, swapstories about the week, vent about the chaos of life, and laugh until our cheeks hurt.
For the first time in years, I felt like I belonged. These women weren’t just coworkers—they were friends. The kind of friends who texted you funny memes during meetings and who always made sure you didn’t walk into the staff meeting alone.
As Jennie turned to leave for her classroom, I grabbed her elbow gently. “I’m really looking forward to our holiday gift exchange with the girls,” I said with a smile.
She grinned. “Me too. It’s going to be a blast.”
I hesitated for a moment, lowering my voice so no one else would hear. “Thank you,” I said softly.
Her brows knitted together. “For what?”
“For being a friend,” I murmured. “I couldn’t have made it through this year without you and the girls. You’ve been my rock.”
Jennie’s expression softened, and she gave my hand a quick squeeze. “We’re in this together,” she said warmly. “And hey, we couldn’t have done it without you either. You’re one of us now.”
One of us.
It was the kind of moment that, if this were the end of a novel, would feel like the perfect ending. Everything falling into place—work, friends, love. The kind of ending where you close the book with a satisfied sigh, knowing the character has found their place in the world.
“See you at the Holiday Song.”
34
