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I take a breath, ready to bleed all over again. “They were talking about how he asked them to give me the job, and something about my being financially okay until the end of the school year. He felt sorry for me because I’m not rich. He asked his parents to bail me out. He got me that job. He told them to hire me. I’m horrified.”
Saying the words out loud makes my face heat in shame. I’ve been through a lot of shit in my life, but nothing has ever felt as awful as this.
How could I have believed that those wealthy lawyers really wanted two uni students to plan their event? They could easily have afforded someone already qualified and experienced.
“Fuck,” Imani mutters.
I shove my hands through my hair and groan. “I wonder how much persuading it took.”
“Oh, babe. I’m sure it’s not as bad as you’re thinking. He wouldn’t want to make you feel like this,” Freya says.
“Yeah, I agree. I mean, I understand how you’re feeling—it’s totally valid to feel betrayed—but he’scrazyabout you. Of course, he doesn’t want you to struggle.”
“I’m hardly homeless, Imani. I can take care of myself.”
“Hey, I’m with you. But if you saw someone you really care about struggling, wouldn’t you want to help? I know I would.”
My jaw turns slack. “I can’t believe you’re on his side.”
She raises her palms. “Okay, that’s not fair. I’m always on your side. Always. But I’m not going to slate him for wanting to make your life easier.”
“Freya?” I turn to her.
“I’m on the fence, honestly. It was a dick move to go behind your back and discuss your financial situation with his parents, that’s for sure.”
“But…” I prompt, hardly able to believe what I’m hearing.
“But for the first time since we met him, his heart was in the right place. And I’m talking about before you two got together. He’s a decent person when he’s with you. He loves you, and I don’t think he really knows the best way to handle that.”
“Do you think I’m wrong to be angry?” I ask, more to Imani because she doesn’t seem even the littlest bit annoyed at him.
“Not at all,” Imani replies. “You have every right to tell him to fuck off. I’ll do it for you if you want. No one can tell you how to feel, babe. All I’m saying is don’t write him off because what he did came from a good place. The guy is completely in love with you.”
“I’m not ready to talk to him,” I tell her. “I don’t want him anywhere near me.”
Imani wraps her arm around my shoulders. “Then, we won’t let him in. Take all the time you need, but don’t shut us out. We’re here for you.”
“Whatdoyou need from us?” Freya asks.
I shake my head because I don’t think there’s anything anyone can say or do to make me feel better. Their underreaction to this situation makes me uneasy. I don’t think I’m overreacting.
The idea of not being with him is nauseating. The idea of pretending that I’m fine about this as well as everything else he’s done is impossible.
Casper will now always be the one who tried to rescue me.
I don’t need his money or his pity.
All I wanted was him.
I have no idea what to do now.
“He knew that I wanted to make it on my own. I’ve never asked anyone for anything. I work hard. That’s how I want to be successful. That’s how Iwillbe successful.”
“This doesn’t change that, Ains,” Freya says. “Just because he asked his parents to help you doesn’t mean you can’t still do that. Look at what you and Reggie have achieved.”
“Yeah, think about it. If you were terrible at your job, they would have fired you,” Imani offers.
“That’s not the point, Imani.”
