Free Tangled Thoughts by Cara Bertrand Page A

work for the senator?”
    â€œChallenging. In a good way.”
    She nodded. “You’ve always needed more challenges than we could provide here. Even if now I have to look at my clock, rather than out my office window, to know when it’s time to begin my day.”
    Well, well. “I knew you’d miss me,” I said, grinning with all my teeth.
    With uncharacteristic softness, she said, “I find I miss them all,” and I gaped at her. “Well, some more than others,” she clarified, straightening her spine.
    â€œThe graduates?”
    â€œLast year’s, yes. They were my first class, or perhaps you don’t recall.” Now that she said it, of course I did. She became headmaster the same year Alexis and Amy started here, in the seventh grade. Technically the same year I started the Academy, in ninth. “I’m glad to see so many of them here. Though a few are missing.” She looked back toward me, and there it was. The trap was sprung.
    I said nothing. I could feel her eyes still watching me, but kept mine on the fire.
    â€œI don’t suppose Miss Young will be joining us this year?” she asked, hopeful, and I shook my head.
    â€œI’m not the right person to ask.”
    â€œI was…surprised,” she said, “to hear about your…parting.”
    Now I did look at her. She said
surprised
but she also meant
sorry
. Not in a taunting way, but genuinely. “So was I.”
    â€œShe was…good for you, in a way.”
    She was good for you, too
, I thought, because by God, Constance Stewart was
trying
. She actually felt sorry for me, a Penrose, something that never would have happened before Elaine Young appeared here and cast her magic on all of us. “She was a challenge,” is what I said.
    The headmaster half smiled. “She was that. But perhaps she needed a different kind of challenge.” She sighed. “Still, I’d have liked to ask her some things.”
    â€œThose are some answers I wouldn’t mind your sharing with me. Now that I know how much you miss me.” I turned my toothful smile on her and she actually chuckled.
    â€œYes, well, perhaps next year we’ll get the chance. Now, go Cart-wright.” She gestured toward the fire. “Attend the bonfire. Think of it as another challenge,” she added, and I smiled for real. “And give my regards to the senator.”
    I nodded and lifted my hand in farewell before wandering forward. I wondered what it meant that the good Dr. Stewart was as doubtful about Lainey’s and my breakup as I’d been. It had my head all in the wrong space and I considered finding Alexis to tell her I was going home.
    But then I heard her, the throaty, unmistakable sound of her laugh drifting over the crackle of the fire and the annoying noise of my own brain. Amy Moretti. I edged through the crowd until I caught sight of her. She looked great. Older. Some of the roundness was gone from her face, making her less sweet and more beautiful. I’d wondered if—hoped?—she’d be here.
    When she turned in my direction, I waved and a huge grin broke across her face. As soon as I was in reaching distance, she threw her arms around me. I held on for a long time.
    â€œI knew I heard your laugh,” I told her.
    â€œI knew I saw your ass,” she said to my chest, and then pinched said ass. Ah, Amy. I missed her. I’d called her at first, when Laineywouldn’t take my calls, but it didn’t help. All our talks amounted to was pity, and I couldn’t stand that, so I stopped calling. She reached up to muss my hair. “It’s so short. I love it. Gawd, you look good, Penrose. Except for
this
.” She touched the shadow still lingering under my eye. “I won’t even ask. But seriously, you’re more handsome, I think. How’s that
possible
?”
    I grinned. “You look good too, Moretti. And it’s good to see