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She nodded, despite the fact he hadn’t said anything. “I was a cheerleader in high school. More interested in the next pep rally than exams. I didn’t mind dropping out to help Anita. But I want more now.” She swallowed. “You and I both know I’m not especially clever. Not like Anita. Not like Jenna. But I think I can do more with my life. I thought I could maybe get into a community college, and do something. Something more than this.” She shrugged. “I know it must seem really self-indulgent….”
He walked across to her and kneeled at her feet. “Self-indulgent?” He demanded.
She shrugged. “I’m twenty three. Most undergraduates are younger than I am.”
He pressed up on his haunches and sat beside her. “Most undergraduates haven’t raised their kid sister.”
She nodded. “I am going to be like a fish out of water. If I even get in anywhere.”
He was quiet for a moment. “You know, in the time I’ve known you, there’s one thing you keep doing that seriously makes me so angry I could throw something.”
She lifted her brows. “What? What is it?”
“You keep fucking putting yourself down. Why do you say you’re not as bright as Anita? Not as bright as Jenna?”
She shook her head, her face astounded. “I’m not. Anita is a genius. Jenna is a teacher. I’m… I have to read newspaper articles twice to get the gist sometimes.”
“Jane, you’re clever in a way I can’t even begin to understand. You operate on a hundred levels at once. Intelligence, heart, soul, empathy, strength. You are… clever.” It was such an insufficient word, he had to shake his head in disgust. “The only problem you have is this strange desire to hide your strengths; to downplay them at every opportunity.”
She chewed her bottom lip. “I guess we’ll know after tomorrow.”
“I know now.” He lifted a hand and cupped her cheek. “The notepad.” It had been bothering him. What had she spent her time writing notes about? Why did she carry it everywhere?
She nodded. “Studying. Thinking. Doing practice tests.”
He stood up. “I see.” For the longest moment, he stared down at her, his eyes glinting in his face.
“Where are you going?” She asked, as he walked slowly towards the door.
“You need a good night’s sleep, and if I had my way, you wouldn’t get it.” His smile was filled with seductive promise. “Come to my apartment tomorrow. I have… a proposition to run by you.”
She fell into step behind him, almost sighing as his woody cologne assailed her deprived senses. “Another proposition?” She arched a brow. “Care to give me a foreshadowing?”
“No.” He kissed her forehead. “I want your mind clear for tomorrow.” He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then shook his head. “I’ll see you then?”
“What time?”
He laughed. “What time do the SATs finish?”
“Midday.”
“So Martins will pick up just after. Press your button. Don’t keep me waiting.” He kissed the tip of her nose, and lowered his voice to a coarse whisper. “Please don’t keep me waiting.”
When she arrived at his apartment the next day, she felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She burst into the door, a huge smile on her face. Any anticipation she might have felt at seeing him again had been removed from the euphoria she felt at having nailed the SATs.
“Hey, college girl. How did you go?” He was gloriously handsome. Her life felt perfect, in that moment.
She shook her head. “Don’t jinx me. I don’t get my results for ages. But… unless I’m totally wrong, it felt sort of easy. I felt good. I mean, I think I did well.”
He nodded. “I know you did.”
She put her handbag down on the bench and walked towards him. “Well, Carter. You have me here. What do you want to speak to me about?”
He smiled. “I have various matters to discuss. But first, champagne.”
“Champagne?” She shook her head. “It’s too early to celebrate.”
“I don’t think so.” He popped the cork and poured two flutes, then fixed his ice-cold stare on her. “Have I ever told you about RedWhite?”
