Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“I suppose it doesn’t matter. I’ll be leaving soon enough,” I say and try not to sigh.
“And where is it you think you’re going?” It doesn’t sound like he’s asking me a question. It sounds like he’s accusing me of breaking the rules.
I shift in my seat as the sensation of being in trouble creeps through me. It’s not fear, though. It’s something else, and I can’t put a name to it.
“Um, college?” I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. Don’t fidget. My stepmother's words push through my mind like an intrusive thought, and I quickly put my hand in my lap.
“Do you want to go to college?”
“I want to move out,” I blurt before I can think of a more poised response. “And you know, get an education and all.”
“Education and all?” He smirks.
“I’ll need to get a job one day.”
“Not necessarily.”
“True, but my stepmother would die if I got a job somewhere like here.” Honestly, I don’t think she ever wants me to have a job. She wants me to marry rich.
Getting married and having a family of my own sounds like a dream, but I don’t want the kind of marriage she and my father have in mind. I don’t want what they have. I want so much more and for my relationship with my husband not to be transactional like theirs.
"She'd die if you got a job?"
"She would be embarrassed if I worked at a coffee shop. For the sake of appearances, it would make her look bad. I wouldn't mind a job." At least it would provide me with something to occupy my time and an excuse to be out of the house. Instead of lingering at the library or sitting here all day.
“What if she didn’t know about it?”
“Like a secret?” I whisper playfully.
“I suppose.”
"It would have to be out of the public eye. Someone could see me.”
“I’m sure that’s possible.” He shrugs one shoulder. “I could hire you.”
“Really? You’d do that?” He said it so casually like it would be easy for him to do.
“It could be our little secret,” he whispers back.
I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. Why does everything he says sound so dirty? My mind must be in the gutter. I know he’s not hitting on me. I’m letting my crush on him cloud things.
“What do you even do?” I laugh. I know nothing about this man, but if he’d let me, I’d learn everything about him. I’m already so familiar with the details of his face that I could draw him perfectly with my eyes closed.
“Finance,” he says, and I snort. I quickly cover my mouth with my hand at the not-so-ladylike sound. “What’s so funny?” He gives me a full smile this time, and somehow he’s even handsomer than before.
“It’s like the TikTok sound. You know the one that’s like, ‘I'm looking for a man in finance. Trust fund, six-five, blue eyes. Finance, trust fund, six-five.’” I sing the song with the same voice as the one I’ve heard a million times.
“Are you looking for a man, princess?” He leans forward, making my breath hitch.
No words leave me, which is unusual because I’m never at a loss for words. In fact, I always have too many. Instead of speaking, I simply nod my head. I didn’t know I was looking for anyone until the day he walked into the coffee shop.
“Well, I don’t have blue eyes or a trust fund.”
“I love your green eyes,” I blurt out, finally speaking. It’s an impulse I’m not good at controlling. I wish I could, but my mouth always gets ahead of me.
“You’re very sweet, Tinsley.” He says that as though it’s a bad thing.
“Too sweet?”
“With the wrong person, I suppose.” He suddenly stands, and panic takes flight inside of me. He’s leaving. “You’ve got yourself one now, princess.”
“What?” Does he mean what I hope he means? That I’ve got myself a man?
“A job.”
Oh, right.
I’ll take it.
Chapter Four
CALLUM
Leaving her is getting harder and harder. Last night I had to watch her get into her car and drive home. Away from me.
Sure, I followed after her and made sure she got there safely, but it wasn’t the same as having her in the car with me. It wasn’t like the night before when I touched her. I forced myself to go home and take a breath. Stalking Tinsley isn’t smart, although giving her a job isn’t exactly the best idea I’ve ever had.
I sent her a text last night with an address and what time to meet me. The time I told her was exactly when school ended, so unless she skips class she won’t be able to make it to her first day of work on time. My grin is wicked as I check my watch and stand in front of the window.