He found his way to campus and parked. Ellen immediately opened her eyes and smiled at him. When their gazes locked, he felt the familiar jolt of desire that had been his constant companion since the trip had started. The difference was now he knew he could do something about it.

He undid his seat belt and angled toward her. “You’re tired.”

She immediately looked guilty. “I am and you must be even more tired.” She glanced toward the back, where the kids were collecting their things for the day, and lowered her voice. “You have to handle all the driving. I shouldn’t have kept you up so late.”

He stretched. “It’s for a good cause.”

She nodded, then turned and dug in her purse. “I have a text. I’ll bet it’s from Unity. Oh, the hotel.” She looked at her phone. “Huh. That’s, ah, weird.”

“What happened?”

“There’s a change in the reservation.” She tucked her phone back in her bag. “They don’t have enough rooms. It looks like I’m going to have to, ah, room with Lissa tonight. That’s too bad. I’m disappointed.”

The words sounded right, but there was something about her tone. “You okay?”

“I am. Just, you know. Sad.”

The students walked to the front of the bus. He opened the door to let them out. When they were all outside, he got up.

“If you’re with Lissa, then we’re not going to be able to...” He glanced out the open door, then back at her.

“I know. I’m sorry.” She brightened. “But you’ll be able to sleep. That’s good. It’s a long drive home.”

Something was off with her, but he had no idea what. She’d been herself when she’d left his bed, early that morning. What had changed?

“Ellen?”

She moved to the edge of her seat. “Keith, I’m fine. I swear. I’m not happy about the sleeping arrangements, but it’s just one night.”

“You’re sure.”

“I am.” She leaned close and whispered, “I’ll miss you. A lot.”

He smiled. “I’ll miss you, too.”

“Hey, Coach,” Andy called. “I have an appointment. You about ready?”

“Duty calls,” Keith said.

“Tell me about it,” Ellen muttered as she stepped off the bus.

twenty-one

Unity stood in the center of her living room with absolutely no idea what to do next. The evening with Thaddeus had been a kind of revelation. Not only had she been reminded what normal life was like—she’d enjoyed herself. She’d liked his friends and having dinner with them and the kissing and all of it. Even this morning, trying to explain her feelings, had been good if a little awkward. But Thaddeus had been kind and understanding, as always.

She’d spent the drive home trying to be clear about what she’d learned about herself and how she was feeling. She’d been forced to acknowledge that she hadn’t once thought about Stuart. Not in the way she usually did. Even when she’d talked about him, he hadn’t been a part of things. She could feel herself letting go, bit by bit. Part of her wanted to continue on the path and part of her wanted to retreat.