Regan’s eyebrows pinched together. “Was that when we got in trouble because I wouldn’t stop singing Christmas carols in PE?”
Ky chuckled. “You know we’ve made that trip too often when you can’t even remember.”
“Oh, wait, I do remember! The first time was when Mason stuck gum in my hair, and you got suspended for kicking his ass.”
Ky nodded fiercely. “Totally worth it, though.”
Before they could relive another moment from their past, they reached the front office. As usual, it was a hub of activity. Students, teachers, and parents crowded around the counter, and a phone rang somewhere.
Regan waved to the guy behind the desk. “Hi, Julian. Is Mrs. Kallmaker in?”
He looked up from one of his two computer screens. “Yeah. For exactly”—he glanced at his watch—“ten more minutes.”
“That’s all we need, I promise.” Regan led Ky past the counter and knocked on the principal’s door.
A muffled “yes” came from the other side.
Ky ran her fingers through her short hair, tugging her bangs down to cover the scar bisecting her eyebrow, and exchanged a quick gaze with Regan before following her in.
Mrs. Kallmaker’s office looked more or less like all the principals’ offices Ky remembered from her childhood.
A bookshelf was set along one wall, while file cabinets lined the other. Diplomas, awards, and students’ art works covered the remaining space.
Mrs. Kallmaker put down her pen. Her earrings swung back and forth as she leaned back in the office chair behind the big desk. “Regan. Kylie. What can I do for you?”
She had remembered Ky’s name, even though they had interacted only a couple of times. Either Mrs. Kallmaker was great with faces and names, or Ky had left an impression. Was that good or bad? Ky fought the urge to fidget.
“Take a seat.” Mrs. Kallmaker gestured at the two chairs in front of her desk.
Ky and Regan sat down.
The principal slid her stylish glasses higher up on her nose and gave them a worried look. “Please tell me there wasn’t another allergy incident in the lunchroom.”
“No,” Regan said quickly. “Nothing like that. This is about…um…”
“Oh no!” Mrs. Kallmaker widened her eyes. “It’s not the second-worst-case scenario either, is it?”
Regan and Ky looked at each other, then at the principal.
“The cafeteria hasn’t stopped offering the white chocolate cranberry oatmeal cookies, has it?” Mrs. Kallmaker leaned forward as if about to reveal a secret. “They’re my reward for taking over lunchroom duty.”
Ky bit her lip so she wouldn’t burst out laughing. The principal’s sweet tooth wasn’t a secret at all. Fran, the cafeteria manager, had somehow found out Mrs. Kallmaker’s favorite cookie and made sure to always have them on hand.
Regan chuckled. “I’m sure your reward is safe. This is about…”
“Us,” they said together.
“Oh, that.” Mrs. Kallmaker blew out a breath that ruffled her layered, blonde hair. “Yes, I already heard.”
Shit. She had? Had the school gossip mill worked even faster than usual?
Regan leaned forward. “Don’t tell me Mr Gaines called you to voice his concerns.”
“Mr. Gaines? Which one?”
“Brayden’s father.”
“Which one?” Mrs. Kallmaker asked again.
Regan sent Ky a questioning look, to which Ky shook her head. She had no idea what the principal was talking about either.
Mrs. Kallmaker smiled. “He’s got two dads.”
Ky leaned heavily against the back of her chair. She flashed back to their run-in at the bookstore. He had said better half, not wife when he had complained about being sent out for a cookbook. Maybe his grumpiness had nothing to do with her and Regan at all.
“So he didn’t call you,” Regan said.
“No.”
“How did you hear, then?” Ky asked.
Mrs. Kallmaker chuckled. “Since I took over as a principal, I learned that there are three things I can rely on to happen with astonishing regularity: the copier being jammed on the day all the teachers want to use it; my to-do list being too full, and someone spreading rumors about the two of you. Don’t worry. I’ll squash it.”
Oh no. Ky had relaxed for a moment, but now new tension crept up her neck. The principal thought the gossip about them was just a rumor—because that’s all it had been in the past.
Ky cleared her throat. “Um, you don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do.” Mrs. Kallmaker’s eyes flashed with determination. “Neither of you should have to put up with nonsense like that at your workplace.”
