Page 100 of Fundamentals of Chemistry

“One hundred percent,” I confirmed.

He picked up the paper and sighed while he regarded it. Then, he set it back down and returned his gaze to me.

“You are a talented educator and an exceptional young person. Few have the courage to do what you did. I’m genuinely sorry to see you leave.”

My lips tipped into a bittersweet smile. “It’s been an honor and a pleasure to work here,” I said. “I hope this isn’t goodbye. I would love to come back…”

The older man returned a kind smile and nodded. “And Newbury would love to have you.”

I stood and extended my hand to him across the desk. Before he could kiss my knuckles, I shook with a firm pump. Then, I walked out of his office with my back straight. As I exited the building, I heard him ask TJ to schedule a meeting with Jack as soon as possible. My heart warmed me against the December chill.

My classes passed in a microsecond, and then I was done for the day. I considered following the herd of students and teachers to the cafeteria for lunch. But my quiet apartment called to me, and my feet turned in that direction.

Ashley was going to be disappointed when I told her what I did, and I didn’t much feel like having any more serious conversations for the rest of the day.

Talking, laughing, and the drumming of hundreds of feet faded away as I meandered back to Brookside. The paths had been cleared of snow, but white coated the skeletal trees and the ground beneath them, shimmering like cut glass in the sunlight. I savored the beauty while I could, knowing that my days were officially numbered.

Though, I had been expecting to leave, even planning for it over the last few weeks since it became apparent that Jack deserved to stay. I had a little network of former classmates and coworkers from my internship. I started putting out feelers for a new job, and I had a couple of strings to pull. None of the prospective roles paid as well as Newbury—and none included housing or meals—but I was confident that I could manage. I had no student loans—no debt of any kind—a privilege that I was grateful for even if I still resented my parents’ entitlement.

A hand grabbed my shoulder, ripping me from my thoughts.

I yelped and turned to see who had touched me, and my breath caught in my chest.

It was Jack.

He stood on the path, cheeks flushed and eyes blown wide. His chest rose and fell in quick succession under his heavy wool coat, and his chestnut hair curled loosely around his face.

“Melanie,” he said. His voice was hoarse, but my name on his lips was like music.

I was torn between running into his arms and running away. Neither seemed like a particularly good idea.

“Jack,” I whispered as my heart clenched.

“Can we talk for a minute?”

My mouth went dry. I wasn’t ready for this. Had Richmond offered Jack the job already? Was Jack still mad at me? He probably wouldn’t chase me down to start an argument—not after ghosting me or brushing me off every time I tried to start a conversation. But then again, what did I know?

“You want to talk now?” I asked.

“Walk with me,” he insisted.

He placed a gentle hand on my elbow, and I let him guide me onto the familiar trail that looped around Cedar Lake. This was the closest we had been in a week. But rather than easing the ache, the proximity hurt my heart ten times worse. A gust of wind swirled around us, and I pulled my coat tighter around myself. I crossed my arms over my chest to keep from reaching for his hand.

“It’s cold out here, Jack. What do you want?”

“I want to know why.” There was a tremor in his voice.

I kept my eyes straight ahead. Of course, that was what he wanted. He was a scientist. At the core of his soul, there lived an innate need to always know the why. The last part of me that hoped he would forgive me crumbled into the crushed limestone under our feet.

“I had to,” I said. “I couldn’t stay. Not like that.”

He grunted. “Not like what?” he asked.

I huffed an irritated breath and stopped walking. Realizing I was no longer beside him, he turned back to face me.

“What else do you want me to say?” I opened my arms wide and then let them drop to my sides. “I should have known I couldn’t do this on my own. That my dad would find a way to take control. It’s what he does; he can’t help it. Ducks quack; Matthew Burke manipulates. I was furious when I found out. I was so stupid to think I could do this on my own. I should have known…”

My eyes itched. Not more tears. Not again. Not now.