Her coveralls were quite a contrast with her daughter’s colorful outfit. A fan of so-called influencers Zoey had never heard of, Hazel had belted a long purple shirt over a black top and leggings. Her bright green ankle boots were tied with lengths of sparkly purple lace. Hazel’s dark hair was loose, with sleek waves that looked natural, but Zoey knew the girl spent a half hour creating that effect.

She had no idea how she’d ever produced this little fashionista with the wisecracking mouth. Well...to be fair, there was no doubt the smart mouth came straight from Zoey. She glanced at her watch.

“Where is this guy, anyway?”

Before Hazel could respond, Principal Ted Sheffield entered, nodding a greeting before taking his seat in the oversize chair behind his oversize desk. He’d clearly read one of those executive books that claimed large furniture made him seem more powerful. That was wasted on her and Hazel. Hartford women weren’t easily intimidated.

“Okay...” Sheffield cleared his throat loudly, speaking to Zoey. “I assume Miss Carson in the front office filled you in on what transpired here this morning?”

Zoey gave him a thin smile. Game on. “Yes, she did. So did my daughter, by the way. I’m assuming she’ll be getting an apology at some point?”

“I’m sorry?” He coughed, his face turning red. “I mean... I’m not sorry...um...who am I apologizing to? And for what?” Mr. Sheffield managed to regroup after a little huffing and puffing. “Mrs. Bennett, your daughter punched another student. We have a zero tolerance policy on violence here...”

“First, I am no longer Mrs. Bennett. I’m Miss Hartford.” She’d dropped her ex’s last name, with Hazel’s blessing. “And secondly, Hazel only punched Micah after he snapped the back of her bra—my daughter’s underwear—repeatedly.”

Hazel groaned. “Please don’t ever say the word underwear out loud again, I beg you.”

“Well...yes.” Sheffield nodded, still looking pained. “But your daughter should know that violence is never the answer.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s violence to harass a female student. Isn’t there a zero tolerance against that, too?” She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. She wasn’t helping Hazel by escalating this. “Mr. Sheffield...oh, hell... Ted...” He’d only been two years ahead of her in high school. “I’ve taught Hazel to never accept nonconsensual touching from anyone. Ever. And I’ve taught her how to respond to it.” She turned to Hazel, counting questions off on her fingers. “Did you use your words?”

“Uh...yeah.” Hazel rolled her honey-colored eyes dramatically. “I told him to knock it off, but he kept doing it.”

“Did you go to someone in authority so they could step in?”