Lissa put her hands on her hips. “You’re treating me like a child.”

“Uh-huh. Newsflash. I have zero remorse.”

Ellen expected her roommate for the night to explode or stalk off, but Lissa surprised her by linking arms with her and grinning.

“This will be fun. The desk clerk said there are microwaves in the room. Let’s get some popcorn and then we can watch TV together. Maybe one of those dance reality shows. They’re my favorite. To be honest, I’m kind of tired and could use an early night.”

“Who knew you could be bought for the price of a bag of microwave popcorn,” Ellen said as they headed for the elevator.

“It usually costs more, but I’m feeling guilty about what happened this morning. If you could have seen the look on your face.” Lissa giggled. “You were not happy.”

“No, I wasn’t. And we still have to tell your father.”

Not something she wanted to think about. So far she’d yet to figure out a way to have that particular conversation. No matter how many times she tried to come up with a great opening line, she couldn’t find one that in any way distracted from the fact that Lissa was doing the wild thing with Luka.

“We don’t have to tell him tonight,” Lissa said cheerfully as Ellen let them into the room. “And look!” She waved a small bag of jelly beans. “I got them at the student bookstore. Only the good flavors.”

“It will be a feast,” Ellen teased.

They walked into the hotel room and stared at the two double beds separated by a nightstand.

Lissa sighed. “No offense, but I would much rather be with Luka.”

And I would much rather be with your father, Ellen thought with a sigh.

“At least you don’t have to worry about me leaving the toilet seat up,” she said instead.

Lissa laughed. “You’re right.” The teen surprised her by hugging her tight. “Thanks for not telling my dad until we’re home and thanks for worrying about me. It’s kind of nice.”

Ellen held her close. “I’m glad you think so.” It would all hit the fan later, but for right now, this felt really good.

Keith drove off the freeway off-ramp and headed for the high school. When they’d stopped for gas in North Bend, he’d told all the kids to text their parents to let them know the bus was about seventy minutes out of town.

The drive from Eugene had been quiet. Everyone was tired after their trip. Ellen had kept him company, sitting behind him on and off, talking about the different schools.

He’d appreciated the company as he kept his attention on the road. Like the teens, he was tired, although he would guess some of his reasons were different. Or at least one of them.

Ellen.