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Her eyebrows shoot up to her hairline. “Well isn’t that interesting. I suppose your brothers got you the job? Pulled some strings with Jonathan?”
“Professor Barclay didn’t even realize I was applying until after I landed the position,” I say defensively.
She looks utterly taken aback, maybe even amused as she asks, “You call himProfessor? Why?”
I contemplate lying, but what does it matter?
“He was my professor at Dartmouth. It stuck, I guess.”
Her eyes widen. “God. Youareyoung.”
I’m beginning to feel like this conversation has absolutely no purpose except to let Miranda scope me out. Rather than flee, I decide to use the opportunity to my advantage as well.
“Did Professor Barclay invite you here tonight?”
“Jonathan…Emmett…Alexander…it was one of them.” She flicks the ash from her cigarette then takes another long drag. “We’re a close-knit bunch. I’ve known them forever.”
“But you’re dating Professor Barclay, aren’t you?”
A devilish smirk overtakes her red lips. “You keep this close of an eye on all your employers?”
I look down at my feet, hating how easily she takes ownership of the conversation.
“I’d say you should ask him, but I don’t think that’d be an appropriate question to ask yourboss.”
She thinks that word will deter me, but it goes to show how little she understands the situation she’s found herself in.
“I was confused when I saw the photo of the two of you together,” she continues. “At the start of this conversation, I assumed Jonathan knew you through your brothers. Now, I suppose there’s another possibility. Your cheeks are the prettiest shade of pink. I bet that drives Jonathan wild.”
“Emelia.” We both turn to see Alexander standing at the door, looking relieved to have found me. “I thought you left.”
“No need to worry, Alexander. I was looking after her just fine. Isn’t that right, Emelia?”
I merely nod as she stubs out the last of her cigarette and flicks it over the balcony.
“I’ll give you two some privacy, but I do hope we find another opportunity to chat tonight,” she says, giving me a sugary sweet smile before brushing past Alexander.
His brows furrow as he looks between us. “What was that about?”
I shrug. “How should I know? I only met the woman a few minutes ago.”
“Right. Yeah, Miranda can be a lot. Most everyone here can be a lot, in fact…”
“They’re your friends,” I say, trying to convey to him that he’s the company he keeps.
He shakes his head. “Right. They are. I’ve known most of them since I was a child. Every relationship in there is complicated and messy, and though I would meet some of them today and absolutely despise them, we’ve all been through a lot together. Boarding school, breakups, divorces, rehab…the loyalty is what keeps us together. You see?”
I nod, starting to understand. I can’t begin to imagine what Alexander and Emmett’s privileged upbringing entailed, the complicated world they inhabited as adolescents.
“Should we go back in?” I ask.
“No, let’s hang out here for a second. It’s nice. Tell me, how was your week?”
He comes to stand near me.
“Good. We’re underway with the Belle Haven project, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy on most everything.” I mime locking my lips with a key.
He chuckles. “That’s fine. Most of that stuff goes over my head anyway. I won’t bore you with details of my work either.”
