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A neon light flashed, and I turned my head to the side table, where I was surprised to find my phone. It chimed with messages from Sophie, Xander, and Mom.
My nerves spiked as I played Mom’s message first.
“Call me, honey. It’s urgent.”
I immediately dialed, and she answered on the first ring. “Are you all right? Is Dad okay?”
“I’m sorry, Nadia. I should have told you everything is fine. I just was so excited about the news. A guardian angel has visited us.”
“What do you mean?”
“An anonymous donor paid Dad’s hospital bills. You know we never got much on the charity websites, but we were notified by a law firm that a donation came in and paid off Dad’s medical bills. I mean, he’s still doing dialysis and needs treatments, but someone paid the bill. That’s three hundred thousand dollars!” I clutched my head at her loud voice.
My mouth dropped open. “What? How is that possible?” But then, intuitively, I knew.Paul Crane. Surely not. Why would he dothat?
“I don’t have any idea,” she said. “But now maybe the collection agents won’t threaten to take our home. We’re not out of the woods, but I can send you back some money to help with your schooling. Oh, and because Dad’s paid up, they’ll place him back on the donor list. Oh, wait.” She muffled the phone and returned after a few minutes.
“Unbelievable. Dad just told me he’s got a call from a new specialist, and it seems positive. He’s getting an appointment set up for this week. I don’t know what happened, but God answered my prayers.” Mom’s cry had me tearing up.
“I’m so happy, Mom. Would you mind if I call you a little later? I’m at a friend’s house.”
“You met someone?” I could hear the shock in her voice. “Oh, I can’t wait to hear. I love you, beautiful.”
“I love you, too. I’ll call Dad. Thanks, Mom.” I hung up and dropped my head in my hands. With Mom being the primary source of income, we had a lot going on financially with Dad’s ongoing health issues and the possibility of the bank taking our home. If it was Paul, he took away one of our biggest burdens in the span of a few hours. I was forever in his debt and couldn’t repay him.
I played Xander’s voicemail message next.
“Hey, girl, it’s Xander. Did you try to call me? I’m in Boston this weekend. Got a guy I want to introduce you to. His name is Brannen. He saw the photo I took and is already crazy about you. He has money too, not like sugar daddy big-bucks Crane, but he’ll take you on dates and treat you good. Details later.”
Ah, no. No, thanks.
I listened to Sophie’s message last.
“Trevor said you propositioned him, but I don’t believe him. He also said you vomited on a patron. I tried to help you, and you completely humiliated me. I doubt they’ll let you return.”
A new message came in from Sophie.
“The dean is here with a moving company. He told me they’re moving you to another room and giving me a new roommate. Why? What’s going on, Nadia? I know I was upset, but we’re friends. Call me.”
My mind raced, unable to comprehend all that was happening. First, Mom with the money, and now, Sophie.What does Sophie mean I’m moving?Or perhaps, I should be wondering why she called us friends. Sophie had never treated me like a friend.
What the hell is going on?
Paul walked into the room, and my intense attraction for him ignited. He was dressed in a charcoal suit and blue shirt close to the color of his eyes. They bore into mine, and my breath hitched. My body heated up, and my nipples tightened under the material of my shirt. We were opposites again—he, the polished, sophisticated gentleman, and me in only a nightshirt and no underwear. My ears felt hot as I tugged the end of the nightshirt down and shifted my bare legs.
His smile turned into a wicked grin as his eyes assessed me. “Feeling shy?”
“A little,” I admitted hoarsely.
“You look better, but I suppose you should, after sleeping ten hours.”
My hand flew to my chest, and I gasped.Ten hours?!I’m a stranger who’s been in his home and bed for all that time.“Oh, no. I’m sorry for sleeping here, calling you, the trip to the doctor…everything, really. I’ve been so rude, and I’m embarrassed. I’ll leave.” Then I remembered I didn’t live in my dorm room with Sophie anymore. “I’ve been moved out of my dorm by the dean.” Then it dawned on me.
Who else could possibly influence the dean and movers to show up at my dorm?
“Did you move me out of my room, Mr. Crane?” I raised my brows at him, and he met my accusation with unflinching determination, confirming my thought. I glared at him. “How could you do that?”
His gaze flicked upward, and his jaw tightened. “How? Your roommate is fortunate that I didn’t have her thrown out of the school. Crane Enterprises has a seat on the board of the New York School of Design, so I called in a favor. I can’t in good conscience allow you to return to someone who ignored your illness, drugged you, and took you to a place where men preyed on you. They moved you somewhere safe nearby.”
