Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
I almost burst into tears. I have to get out of here.
“Please, rethink this. What if I get a job?”
“Alexandrea, your job is school. Do you have any idea what I’m paying for tuition, books, food, rent? All so you can get an excellent education. I’m sorry, sweetheart. You’ll not be getting a job your freshman year. But I’ll tell you what you will be doing. You’ll stop sabotaging your sister’s relationship with her boyfriend. Why would you dump coffee on him?”
“What?” I bolt up. “Wait. What did she tell you?” My face heats again.
“Something about you were staring at her boyfriend, and you dumped coffee on him—”
“Oh my God, that’s not what happened. Not exactly, anyway.” I start to pace. “Please, listen to me. I have really tried this week to be friends with Skylar, but something is wrong with her—”
“Alex. You’re almost nineteen years old. I refuse to play referee between my two grown daughters. Figure this out. Deal with it, and make it right.” There’s a finality to his voice, and I want to throw my phone in frustration. I know my dad. He’s super stubborn, and when he sets his mind on something, there’s no changing it.
“Fine. I understand completely,” I snap. He’s not the only one who’s stubborn. He wants me to deal with things?
Done.
“Hold on one moment, Sara. Please tell them I’ll be right there,” my dad mumbles. “Look, sweetheart.” His voice softens. “I need to go into a meeting. I have all the faith in you. Go take the world by the balls.”
“Absolutely. Don’t you worry about any of this. I’ll take care of everything.” I shake my head. This is it. I’m over trying to be Skylar’s friend. It’s not happening, and I can accept that. My dad wants me to take charge.
Fantastic.
“That’s what I like to hear. And call your mother later on. She’s waiting to hear about your first couple of days.”
I almost start laughing again because I’ve purposely avoided my mom’s phone calls. What am I going to say? I had a life-changing kiss with my professor who happens to be Skylar’s boyfriend? Yeah, no.
“I will. Bye, Dad.” I press End, then instantly start to look up the closest Honda dealership. If I’m not allowed to get a job, then he can fix my car. He wants me to take the world by the balls? Balls it is. Okay, it looks like there’s one on Santa Monica Boulevard, ten minutes away.
Perfect.
An hour later, I’m running through the halls again, wondering if I should just drop this class. I mean, nothing good can come of this. But instead of stopping, I reach for the cool metal handle and open the door. I’m late, but at least my Honda limped its way into the dealership. Unfortunately, I had to wait twenty minutes for a ride from them to the university, but at least that headache is gone.
“That’s an excellent analogy, Lila.” His deep voice instantly makes me flush and my core turn wet. But unlike yesterday, I don’t stumble or hesitate. I just slide right into the same seat and unzip my backpack as if I’m supposed to be showing up the last ten minutes of class.
“Ms. Carter?” His voice is deceptively calm, making me straighten my shoulders and look at him.
And Jesus.
He’s clearly showered and changed out of his wrinkled, coffee-stained dark suit. He looks so hot that for a second I do that gawking thing, until I force myself to focus. It doesn’t matter that his black T-shirt showcases his abs, or that I want to run my fingers through his dark hair. God, is there nothing that can make this man unappealing?
“Sorry.” I smile. “I had some car problems. It won’t happen again.” My voice remains calm and clear, and if my stomach wasn’t doing somersaults and my cheeks weren’t on fire, I’d actually think I was unaffected by him. Dead silence greets me, but at this point, I’m kind of used to it.
“Please see me after class.” His eyes narrow, and now I hear the familiar chuckles from my fellow students as if they think I care. I have nothing to lose at this point. All my self-respect has been shredded away, so they can laugh all they want.
I don’t care.
“Of course.” I smile, but it’s forced. It’s like being back in grade school when you get your school picture. You know, the really bad one that you still cringe at because your mom has it in the family photo album.
“Lila, if you could repeat what you just said before you were rudely interrupted by Ms. Carter?” Dean Powers turns his attention to the girl on my left. I barely listen to anything she says as I try to get ahold of my emotions. To be honest, I’m disappointed and pissed at myself. I let his beautiful face and incredible body distract me. Thinking he was exciting and special, I let him take my breath away with his lips .