Page 32 of Be My Valentine

Kate lowered her eyelids.

“I can’t promise that.”

“At least try! Where did all your passion go, Donovan?”

To my mother’s medical bills.

“I’ll try, Professor.” She knew it was a lie “We’ll let you go now, thanks for your time.”

“Wait!” He stopped her abruptly. He wrote down two names and handed her the paper “Contact them tomorrow. Give me an afternoon to ask if one of them wants to be a guide to a bunch of rich people.”

Kate was about to protest, but Emma was quicker.

“On behalf of the entire foundation, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Our project is very ambitious. Please allow me to invite you to our benefit. Of course, you may bring a companion.”

“If you really want to thank me, bring Kathryn Donovan back here as soon as possible.”

“Will do.” Emma said, shaking his hand.

They walked back to the car in silence even though Kate could almost see the questions popping out of Emma’s head, which she managed to hold back until they were inside the passenger compartment.

“Why didn’t I know about this? Did you really drop out last semester? Why? That man handed you a college career on a silver platter! How could you give up something like that? To do what, photocopying? Oh my God, Kate! What family problems do you need to solve?”

“None of your business, or anyone else’s! I’m going to finish college; you can be sure of that!”

“I can help you!” Emma exclaimed.

“You’re already helping me!” said Kate exasperated “It’s because of you that I have this job!”

“What else do you need?”

Fifty thousand dollars, give or take.

As she thought about it, she realized that for the Arrow family it was nothing, but for her it was an almost impossible amount of money to save up in six short months. June?

She’d be lucky to get back to studying by next January. Who was she kidding?

“Could you not talk to your brother about this?”

“What shouldn’t I talk about?”

“About what happened this morning, about Professor Ross… I mean, what does it matter?”

“If it’s not important, why hide it?” she taunted her “Are you ashamed of being a bright student? I’ve never heard anything more stupid!” Emma was beside herself.

“I’m asking you please.” she implored her “I’m working it out. Believe me.”

Emma huffed.

“Alright, alright!”

Kate hoped she could trust her.

Chapter 14 / Kate

If you look up in the sky and stare at a star,

If you feel chills under your skin,