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“Are you sure?” Jefferies prodded. “I’m willing to switch you.”
“No, it’s okay. Beckett and I can work together. It’s fine.”
Jefferies studied me for a long moment and then shrugged like he was washing his hands of the whole thing. “Very well, but I expect good work from you, Miss Martino. You have an aptitude for the subject. I don’t want to see you pulled down.”
“You won’t.” I checked my watch as I backed away. “I better go. I’ve got to get to work.”
“Sure, have a good weekend,” Jefferies said, already absorbed in packing his stuff, dismissing me without another glance.
I was sure from his point of view, he’d tried to help the scholarship kid. If she didn’t take that help, it wasn’t his problem. Had I just made a huge mistake?
No.
After last night, I couldn’t turn around and swap partners. I just couldn’t do it. If that made me the biggest sucker in the world, there was nothing I could do about that. I just hoped I wouldn’t regret it.
The day dragged on endlessly as I hurried through a Chickadee shift and then took the bus over to The Dunes. The worst thing about the country club was the long walk from the bus stop if you didn’t have a car. My brother had left his motorcycle at home, but I had no idea how to ride it and no time to learn. I was stuck with the bus.
My feet were already aching at the start of my shift at The Dunes, and I knew they’d be ten times worse by the end, and after the walk back to the bus stop. Worst of all was the fact that I’d promised Isabelle that I’d go with her to the frat party Omega Psi Zeta was throwing. Just the thought made me want to creep home and sleep for a week, but a promise was a promise.
I was halfway through my shift when I went to take a drink order from a couple sitting right at the back of the brasserie.
It was Soren and Colette Anderson. Again.
Soren was talking on the phone and seemed to ignore his wife for the most part. I took the order from her and scuttled away. I was Anderson-ed out. I was done.
I didn’t get far before a bony hand landed on my arm.
“Eve, could we have a word?” Colette had followed me.
I shrugged, unable to refuse. Since I’d found out she’d lied to me about New York, I was warier of her than usual.
We went to a quiet spot, and Colette fixed me with a smile. “I hear you and Beckett have become close at school.”
“No! I mean, we’re normal. Nothing’s changed,” I protested quickly. I could feel my cheeks heating and felt like last night was written all over my face for Colette’s inspection.
Colette shook her head. “I’m sure that’s not true, dear. If you’re in the same classes, it’s only natural.”
I had nothing to say to that so waited for her to continue.
“The thing is, Beckett had some trouble over the summer, separate from the robbery incident. He had some issues with…addiction.” Colette delivered the last statement with maximumdramatic effect. When I failed to respond to her amateur operatic performance, she pushed on. “His father is very worried about him, so much so he’s restructuring his work schedule this year to be closer to home.”
That was unexpectedly thoughtful of the busy billionaire. Colette, however, didn’t look pleased at all.
“That might be nice for him, and all of you,” I ventured.
Colette tossed her head, irritated, smoothing one rogue strand of her blonde hair into submission with impeccable nails. “Soren’s work is his first priority. He shouldn’t be distracted from it by Beckett acting out, and at his age, no less.”
Okay, so someone didn’t want her husband around more, it seemed.
“How can I help you?” I prompted Colette. I needed to get back to work, and this conversation was weird as hell.
“Well, if Beckett is doing okay and not falling face-first into his addiction again, I’m sure Soren could relax. You have no idea what this whole debacle has already cost him. I believe if someone close could keep an eye on him, it would soothe his father’s mind and he’d get back to work.”
“Who – me? You want me to report on Beckett for you?” The question came out abruptly.
Colette narrowed her eyes at me. “Just look at it as another side hustle to add to your roster. Your family have always been reliable workers. And I don’t mean report, just make sure your friend isn’t popping pills again, so his father can relax and get back to his normal life. That’s not much to ask? I’ll pay you for the inconvenience, of course.”
“I don’t know if I feel comfortable about that,” I admitted. What the hell was this? Whatever it was, I wanted no part of it.
