“I’m sorry, honey,” his mother said. Her voice softened. “Karen sounds like a lovely woman. Your father and I can’t wait to meet her.”
“She’s amazing, and I wanted you guys to meet her, but it probably won’t happen,” he said resignedly.
“Damian Anthony Bradshaw, I’ve never known you to shy away from going after what you want. So don’t you dare start now.”
Damian grimaced. He hated when she called him by his full name.
“If you love her as much as you say, go after her.”
“I do love her.”
“Yes! I can’t wait to tell your father. I’m finally going to get some grandchildren,” she sang.
He groaned. “I have to go, Mom.”
“When are you coming home?”
“We leave Saturday afternoon.”
“Okay. Be safe.”
“We will.” He disconnected and tapped the phone against his knee. His mother was right. All his life, Damian had pursued his goals with the tenacity of a dog after a bone. Some things came easy, others required hard work, but he hadn’t failed yet. And he didn’t plan to now.
* * *
Karen dragged herself out of bed the next morning and stumbled to the bathroom. She had no desire to go to work today, even with her new promotion. At least Damian wouldn’t be there. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her throat felt raw and her head hurt, but her eyes weren’t as puffy as they had been the night before, thanks to the cold compresses she had applied.
He had called as soon as she got home yesterday, but she didn’t pick up. Karen had spent the rest of the evening vacillating between hoping he’d call again and wanting to just end things now. She didn’t want to invest any more of her heart, only to have it shattered later. North Carolina was a long way from California, and anything could happen during those weeks, or possibly months, when their schedules prevented them from connecting. She moved her head too quickly, intensifying the pounding, and groaned. Emotionally, she was a wreck.
Forcing herself to get moving, she dressed. Her stomach was still in knots, so she skipped breakfast and made the drive to school. Karen wanted to bury herself under the covers and avoid everyone, but that wasn’t possible. She had a job to do. At school, she received many congratulations—except Nikki, of course—and started the transition from teacher to principal.
She spent the next two days moving into her new office and saying goodbye to her teary-eyed students. She reminded them that she wasn’t leaving the school and would see them on the playground. Karen also invited them to visit her. Although her days were busy, Damian always found his way into her thoughts. Nights were worse. With nothing to occupy her mind, visions of him and the times they spent together plagued her.
Melissa burst into Karen’s office Wednesday afternoon. “Is it true?” she asked excitedly. She had been off campus yesterday and most of today.
Karen waved her hand around the office and nodded. “Yep.”
“I’m so happy for you!” She grabbed Karen in a tight hug. “Look at you. Principal, a fine man who loves you... Girl, you are on a roll.”
A deep pain settled in the middle of Karen’s chest at the mention of Damian, but she pasted a smile on her face. “Seems like it. Hopefully, I can follow in Priscilla’s footsteps and continue to make this a great school.”
“Girl, please. Priscilla is going to be so excited to know you’re leading the school. I’m going to call her this afternoon.” Melissa posed thoughtfully. “Although I wouldn’t be surprised if she already knew.”
“You’re right about that. We never could keep a secret from her.”
Melissa lowered her voice. “Did you know that Nikki went over to the superintendent’s office and bad-mouthed you after the drill?”
“I had no idea, but she did threaten to do it that day before stomping off.”
Melissa chuckled. “Well, it certainly backfired. After the superintendent saw Damian and Kyle’s detailed report, including Nikki not following procedures, he told her she lacked the discipline and leadership needed from a school principal and all but tossed her out.”
“Are you serious? How do you know all this?”
“His secretary and I have been friends for years, and she called to ask if I knew Nikki. Apparently, Nikki was pretty nasty, demanding to see the superintendent and ignoring protocol.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “You didn’t hear this from me, but that little stunt, along with those lies she told regarding DKT behaving inappropriately, just cost Little Miss High-and-Mighty her job.”