Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25727 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25727 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“It was her,” West says, his entire body tensing up.
“What?” I look around, unsure of what the heck he is talking about.
“I can see it on you. It was her that fucking hit you.” Oh crap. I may not know this grown-up version of Weston too well, but I know without a doubt how protective he’s always been when it comes to me. Believe me when I tell you, there is no good coming out of him knowing that Roberta is the one that left a mark on me.
“West, don’t, please,” I beg him, pretty much confirming his suspicions. “Not now, please.” He grits his jaw but nods.
Roberta’s car rolls to a stop. The back window rolls down. “And who do we have here?” Her eyes eat Weston up. I can tell she just came from the spa. She is all dolled up. How can someone so pretty be so vile?
“New neighbor,” I rush to say.
“Oh, my.” A come-hither smile spreads across her face. “You should come in. We’ll be having dinner soon.” I glare at West silently, telling him not to accept. He knows what I’m saying. He reads me like a damn book.
“I’d love to.” He smiles back at her. Roberta’s eyes light up, reading West all wrong. I know that smile. West has his sights locked on Roberta now.
And not in the way that she hopes.
Chapter Ten
WEST
“You don’t seem to be the type of man to buy a school or even run one.”
Ware does not like another man at his table. I get it. The home is the castle etcetera etcetera. I probably would be the same, so I keep my temper in check as he prods me. I turn my hand palm up, rubbing the calluses. “What kind of man do I seem like to you?”
“Not one that would buy a school. They’re not profitable.”
“Can’t a man love learning?” Roberta interrupts in a high-pitched, panicky voice. She’s in a rough place. Her man is glaring at me, the person that she is desperate to make happy.
“Is that what you are, Evers? A man who loves learning?”
“Yes, I’ve always wanted to know more.” I stare at Vasey, who is still a mystery despite all the years I’ve known her.
She presses her lips together and drops her gaze to her plate of lobster and steak.
“I hear the entrance requirements are quite high.” West scrapes his knife across the china.
“Which is good for Gideon. He’s really so perfect for your school,” Roberta trills.
“Is he?” Ware raises an eyebrow. “I haven’t seen an application to know.”
“He’s very bright. It doesn’t always show in tests, but aren’t academics moving away from that outdated form of measuring student abilities?” Roberta fixes a bright smile on her face. “If schools like yours aren’t profitable, they must rely on donations. We give generously to many good causes.”
“I leave all of that up to the administration. Like your husband said, I’m not the type of man to run a school. I bought it as a wedding gift. My bride-to-be was always interested in teaching and taking care of kids. I heard that The Academy was looking for a buyer, and that’s how I came to own it.”
“How…romantic.” Roberta is vaguely puzzled.
Ware eyes me thoughtfully. “When was it that you bought the Sampson place? I didn’t realize it was for sale.”
“Today.”
“Today?” Roberta nearly screeches in shock.
“What is the age requirement at The Academy?” Ware asks.
“Fifteen and up.”
“Jasmine is only twelve.” His gaze shifts to Vasey, who hasn’t said a word yet. I can see him compiling the facts. “Vasey won’t leave her.”
“No. I won’t,” Vasey admits.
I clench my teeth.
“Jasmine? What does she have to do with this?” Roberta turns in her seat. “I’ve already applied for Gideon. When will you send out the acceptances?”
“I don’t know. I don’t have anything to do with the admin aspects of the school.”
“I’m not interested in this fu—” Gideon cuts himself off at a pointed look from Ware, “—school. I’m fine where I am.”
“How come it’s only high school students?” Jasmine pokes her head out from where she had been hiding behind Vasey’s arm.
“That’s a good question, but I don’t know the answer. You should come by and ask the headmistress about it,” I invite.
“She’s too young.” Ware closes the door on that.
Jasmine frowns. I give her a wink. “When Vasey comes to visit me, you can at least tag along and see if you’re interested.”
“Vasey? How do you know our nanny?” Roberta demands.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? The two are lovers.” Ware points toward me with his steak knife. “Evers here bought the Sampson residence to be close to her. You two are serious, then?”
“Yes,” I say.
“No,” Vasey says.
Ware smirks. Roberta stares at the two of us in distress. She knows Gideon is never getting into my school. That disappointment doesn’t make up for hitting Vasey. Roberta’s going to have to pay.