Never Too Late by Julie Blair Page B

thought. When their eyes met again, there was only kindness. “I’d like to help.”
    “When can you start?” There, it was done. Jamie looked at her father’s picture, pretending his smile signaled his approval.
    Carla hesitated. “Tomorrow morning?”
    “All right. Betty will show you the ropes.” She held the door open as Carla walked out, leaving a trail of perfume—a rich, sweet, flowery scent. Jamie closed the door. Her legs felt like jelly. Had she really just hired the woman who had—
    Betty burst through the door, her face one big smile. She squeezed Jamie’s shoulders as she kissed her cheek. “She’ll be perfect for you.” Betty wiped at the corners of her eyes as they filled with tears. “I’ll feel better leaving if I know you’re in capable hands.”
    “Tell Frank to plan for your departure.” Another reason she’d done the right thing.
    Rubbing the back of her neck, she sat and dialed Sheryl. “How’s your day, babe?”
    “Terrible. I can’t believe it. Those…those girls? The ones that paraded their relationship around campus last year? They apparently set a precedent because we have two gay couples this year that are demanding the same privilege.”
    “The district doesn’t think it’s a problem,” Jamie said carefully.
    “It’s not that simple. I’m going to get complaints from parents again, including the head of the PTA. He’s conservative and powerful and expects to get his way. Oh, why am I trying to explain this to you? You don’t understand the politics of having to make hard choices to get what you want.”
    “Sheryl—”
    “I’m going to get screwed again.”
    “I’m sorry.” Why were all of their conversations about work problems? “Look, I was calling to tell you I’m not working late tonight. How about if I pick up Chinese and we cuddle up and watch a movie?”
    “I’m meeting another principal for dinner to strategize how I should handle this. I can’t lose out on another promotion.”
    “You can strategize with me. We need to support each other. I hired a new office manager today. She ran a dentist’s office for thirteen years. Betty likes her and she’s a friend of Renee and I—”
    “I don’t need to hear her resume. Is she going to help you get your business problem sorted out?”
    “No. She’ll manage my office while I resolve my business problem.” What was the point of explaining to Sheryl that she’d met her before? All that mattered was having a competent office manager. Jamie rubbed her temple. The headache was spreading.
    “We’re so close to getting it all, Jamie.”
    “We have each other. Isn’t that all we need?”
    “You’re such a romantic.” Sheryl made her sound childish.
    “You won’t be late, will you?”
    “I don’t know. Better not wait up for me.”
    “But…” Jamie heard a woman’s voice in the background. Was it her secretary? She didn’t know any of Sheryl’s staff.
    “Gotta go. Another crisis.”
    “Love you.” Jamie turned on the iPod and “That Voice” filled the room. She ignored the sandwich, her appetite gone. For twenty years she’d done the right things, according to her father’s standards. Why wasn’t she reaping the rewards of all her hard work the way he had? She grabbed the file from the top of the stack and opened it. She’d solved one of her problems by hiring an office manager. Now she had to figure out what Marjorie had done.
    She tried to focus, but her mind kept drifting to Carly. She shook her head, irritated with herself. No, Carla. What were the odds of their paths crossing again? She mouthed the lyrics to one of her favorite songs as the present conceded to the past. So long ago, but she’d never forgotten that weekend—the music festival, the unexpected Melissa concert… Maybe those memories were a good thing, reminding her how far she’d come from that scared new doctor. Ten minutes later a knock on her door brought her back to reality. Time to face an afternoon