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I blew out my breath. “I went to the Lollipop mixer with Sophie. It was horrible. She gave me what I thought was aspirin, and I got sick and passed out—”
“What the hell? Where was Sophie?” Isabelle’s eyes narrowed, and her voice raised.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. She left shortly after we got there. A…friend took me to the emergency room and let me crash at his place.”
Isabelle’s face narrowed, and she rubbed her stomach. “Oh, my God. You were left alone while you were sick enough to go to the emergency room? That’s absolutely horrible. I don’t understand why Sophie didn’t take you or try to help you. Luckily, you had a friend. But how did the friend know to go to the dean and move things along so fast?”
“The friend knew the dean?” I offered, my voice going up a few octaves.
Isabelle smirked. “Come on, Nadia. You know about my personal life. I won’t tell anyone if you went home with a Lollipop guy. We all do things we aren’t happy about—”
“No. It definitely wasn’t a man from the mixer. The men were awful there, flipping coins for blow jobs. One tried to hold on to me—”
“Oh, my God,” she said, and then I remembered she was pregnant. I didn’t want to place any stress on her baby.
“Honestly, I’m fine now,” I said, plastering on a smile. “They gave me fluids, and I feel better.”
Isabelle nodded and sat down on the edge of her bed. “Good. I didn’t think Lollipop was a good place for you. Lucky you had a guardian angel. You want to keep him a secret for now, I get that. So I’ll stop asking you about him.”
I dropped my shoulders. “Thanks. Are you back at school?”
“Not exactly. This is my old room. I’m here for just a few more days until my apartment is ready. Dr. Casey vetoed the move toWestchester. She thought it would add too much stress, and I needed extra support. I don’t know how I’d make it without her. Family Solutions Planning cares about us surrogates. Surrogacy would work better for you. How did your interview go?”
Pain gripped my chest as I remembered Dr. Casey’s immediate rejection. “They turned me down.”
Her eyes widened. “What? It has to be a mistake. You’re always kind and always trying to help someone else. You’d make a great surrogate. What are you going to do? I know you were counting on the money.”
“I’ll find something else. It’s okay.”
Her sympathetic expression had me turning my back. I had a few boxes on my bare mattress, but not enough time left before class to unpack. Putting the threadbare sheets and faded duvet back on my bed, I let out a heavy sigh. I had fallen back to the poorhouse, but I didn’t have to stay here. Paul’s offer continued to seduce me.
I settled on a jean jumpsuit and knee-high leggings. Isabelle immediately added one of the push-up navy fitted tank tops she’d created to give it “extra drama,” as she put it. She also showed me a few of her new swimsuits. Then I packed my bag and portfolio for class and was about to open the door when Sophie walked in.
Her eyes widened when she saw me and my belongings. “So this is where you are now? Why did the dean move you out?”
“Because you took her to a party and gave her drugs,” Isabelle snapped. “How could you?”
Sophie’s brows knitted. “I hadn’t realized she wasthatsick, and I didn’t want her to miss out on a chance to find a sponsor. The ‘drug’ was just a tab of oxy. I had no idea she’d vomit all over someone. Hell, I didn’t even know it happened until Trevor told me about it.”
“You left her,” Isabelle hissed, and sat down on the bed. “Parties like that need buddies. You don’t abandon your buddy. I mean, anything could have happened to her. She passed out alone. You’re selfish, Sophie.”
All the blood drained from Sophie’s face as her eyes filled with unshed tears. “I’m sorry, Isabelle. I had so much to deal with there. Trevor was acting like an ass. I was distracted.”
For the first time, I witnessed genuine remorse from Sophie. She truly valued Isabelle’s friendship. She finally turned toward me and said, “I’m sorry about the party. Okay, I’m not perfect. You didn’t need to move out, and thank you for not telling the dean.”
I gave her a curt nod.
Sophie smirked. “I hear it’s not all bad. There is a crazy rumor going around that Paul Crane showed up to pick you up. Is that true?”
Isabelle gasped. “You met Paul Crane? Why didn’t you tell me?”
I put my backpack on my shoulder and averted my eyes. “I called Mr. Crane by accident. He was helping as a friend.”
Isabelle’s eyes widened. “You have Paul Crane’s personal number?”
I glared at Sophie but didn’t answer.
Sophie tutted. “There’s no such thing as billionaires befriending commoners. Your reaction confirms it for me. I’d say well done, but I doubt you’ll hold his attention for a week.”
