Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27345 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27345 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“I know,” I say in a steady tone. “I appreciate it, and maybe “dropping out” isn’t the right phrase. More accurately, I’m taking a leave of absence and pausing my studies for the moment. But I can still go back to Evergreen in the future and finish my degree.”
“Taking a leave of absence?” my dad echoes with rage in his tone. “Pausing your studies? What the hell does that mean? You were always such a good student. What the fuck happened?”
I blush because this conversation is turning out harder than I anticipated.
“Well, what it means is that I’m going to focus on my store, Redline and Roses. You know I’ve done good business in the past, and I want to see where I can take it. I’m even thinking about opening up a physical location just to see what happens.”
“Just to see what happens?” Rick echoes, disbelief in his tone. “I’m sorry, honey, but jewelry-making is a hobby. You won’t be able to eke out a living selling red-string necklaces to customers. I mean, how many red-string necklaces does one person need? One? Two? Maybe three? It’s not like medicine, where medical care is a life-long need.”
I’m stung by his words because Rick has always preached the importance of being well-rounded and living a balanced life.
“Yes, but you’re the one who’s always complaining that medicine takes too much time. You’re always saying how draining it is, and how you feel like you’ve given your entire life to your career.”
Rick fixes me with a look.
“Yes, but I did it because my career puts food on the table, a roof over our heads, and pays for your college education. Maybe I didn’t love it all the time, but there’s also the flip-side, which is that it allows me to provide for my family. How are you going to provide for yourself with your Etsy shop? I didn’t even know what Etsy was until you started selling there.”
I take a deep breath.
“Well, I’m hoping to open a brick-and-mortar place. You know, a physical location for Redline and Roses, and I was eyeing that empty storefront on Spruce at the corner of Northeast First. You know, where the old Madison’s—”
My dad erupts, slamming one hand down on the table. People turn to look at us, but Rick won’t be stopped.
“You’re thinking of what?” he whispers, eyes bulging. “That’s a nice neighborhood, Emma, and tell me: who’s going to pay for that? Who’s going to put down a deposit for your lease? Who’s going to pay the water and electric, not to mention your permits and business licenses? What the fuck, Emma? I’ve forked over hundreds of thousands for your education already, and this is how you repay me?”
I’m blinking back tears at this point, my insides quivering with shame because Rick has a point. I feel small, ungrateful, and very lost hearing his words. My mind begins to whir, and I speak in a trembling voice.
“Well, maybe I could reconsider—”
But then, a masculine presence fills the air, and immediately, a sense of calm fills my being. It’s like a soothing warmth pouring over my soul, and sure enough, I feel Logan’s big hand on my shoulder.
“Actually, buddy, I’ll be funding your daughter’s foray into brick and mortar,” my boyfriend growls. “Emma won’t need a cent from you.”
My dad’s face goes white with shock, then red and mottled as he takes in Logan’s large hand on my frame. If anything, I’ve moved even closer to the large alpha male so that I’m basically pressed into Logan’s side.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Blackshaw?” Rick spits. “And why the fuck are you touching my daughter?”
Logan and I exchange a look, and this time, the alpha male slings an arm about my narrow shoulders, pulling me close against his large frame.
“I’m touching Emma because actually, we’re dating. I’m in love with your daughter, my friend, and I want what’s best for her. Emma decided that pre-med isn’t what she wants, at least not at this point in her life, and I agreed. I didn’t like seeing her stressed and tired all the time, not to mention on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Emma’s well-being is of paramount importance to me, and as a result, I’ve decided to support her by financing the first location of Redline and Roses.”
Logan’s words are so thoughtful, confident, and sure, that tears prickle at my eyes again, but for a different reason. This is a man who believes in me, and who has my back in every which way. He’s even willing to sacrifice his friendship with my father, if it comes to that.
But Rick’s still shocked, his eyes bulging from their sockets.
“You’ve gotten her pregnant,” he rasps. “You got my little girl pregnant and this is why she’s dropping out of school!”