AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Isaiah’s body went rigid, his hand on hers tightening slightly. “Why did she agree to be your guardian only to take it out on you and your brother?”
“Simple—money. She took everything our parents left for us.” The pain of her aunt’s betrayal was a blow she hadn’t expected to recover from.
“Could she do that?” Anger filled Isaiah’s voice.
“That’s what we wondered. I went to a lawyer at the time. It would’ve taken money I didn’t have to sue her in the hopes of getting anything back.”
“I know a lawyer who can help.”
Angela shook her head. She’d survived and thrived. She wanted nothing more to do with her aunt. “No, that was years ago. Finding out my college fund was gone is one of the reasons I became a bartender. The tips helped pay my way through college.”
“You’re out of college now.” His tone implied she didn’t need to work the bar anymore.
“I’m out of undergrad. I’ve worked with the child advocacy office for four years. When I asked my boss what would it take to become a manager, she mentioned the position requires a master’s degree. I’ve got one more semester and then I’m done.”
His eyes brightened with admiration. “That’s pretty big.”
“I know. A part of me can’t wait. The other part of me won’t know what to do with myself. I would have been done sooner, but I opted out of summer school because of Cory.”
He leaned forward on the table and threaded his fingers through hers. The little claim made her feel giddy. The candlelight danced in the dark pools of his eyes. His tailored jacket perfectly fit his strong arms. She wanted those arms around her again.
“Do you mind telling me what happened with your brother?”
She sighed and reached for the champagne flute with her other hand. “I decided to work hard to make the money I needed. His chosen method was to steal it. He worked for the water department, skimmed funds off the top of bills.”
Isaiah’s eyes widened. “That was your brother? I remember seeing that on the news a few months back.”
“Yep, my brother. Shortly after he went to jail, Cory’s mom decided she wasn’t giving up her dream to be a stage star. She left Cory with me and ran to New York.”
“She didn’t have family that could’ve taken him?”
“Her family is a lot like my aunt. I know what it feels like to be unwanted. I won’t let Cory feel that way. I don’t want any kid to feel that way. It’s why I love my job. Why I really hope what happened the other day doesn’t come back and screw me over.”
“That Jerry guy.” Isaiah’s voice hardened on her coworker’s name. “You know him?”
“He works in my office. I had a feeling he’d go back and tell the director about my job, but he didn’t. Which means he’s hoping to spring it at the worst time.”
“Would that be a major problem?”
His thumb ran back and forth over her fingers, sending flutters over her body. “The director is very conservative. My direct supervisor knows I tend bar at Sweethearts and she’s willing to ignore that. If the director found out, he may not be as understanding.”
“But you don’t dance.” He said that as if it was a saving grace. Did he have a problem with her working there?
“Doesn’t matter. He wants all the advocates to be pillars of morality. Working at a strip club won’t exactly meet that requirement.”
Isaiah considered her words. He sat up straight but didn’t let go of her hand. “What would make you quit? If staying there threatens your job with the agency?”
“Winning the lottery.” She teased, then laughed. “I need the money to pay for graduate school. I have no student loan debt so far. I want to keep it that way.”
She couldn’t tell if that answer pleased or bothered him. “What are you going to do about Jerry?”
“Jerry probably didn’t say anything because he doesn’t want to admit being there. I’m going to my boss about what happened instead of waiting to see if he’ll drop the bomb.” The idea of the upcoming confrontation made her stomach ache. Tonight wasn’t the night for worries. “I don’t want to talk about work anymore.”
