Page 20 of Forbidden Heart

“Roonie,” I say automatically. I glance at the box. There are two slices that were probably meant for Charles but never got eaten. I gesture at them. “Go ahead.”

“Thanks.” She grabs a slice, takes a huge bite, and downs it with coffee. “I’m in fashion. How about you? What’s your major?”

I freeze up in a panic.

Should I tell her I’m not a student? Or lie and hope she doesn’t find out? Stalling for time, I grab the last slice of pizza from the box, even though I’m already stuffed. I take a huge bite, chew, and quickly change the subject. “Good coffee?”

“Nah.” Keri takes a long slurp like it’s a second oxygen. “It sucks. But I’ve been up since four to work a shift before class, and I have a second evening shift to get through tonight.”

“I’ve had days like that.” I nod. Back when I was in high school and Father needed breakfast before school. Then I’d come home and cook dinner, only to stay up late doing homework.

“You got a job?” Keri asks in surprise.

“No.” I stare down at my pizza. I couldn’t get a job, and I didn’t even get into college.

Useless, Father’s voice rings in my head, and I cringe.

“Didn’t think so.” Keri grins, like she can tell I’m a mess just by looking at me. “Practically everyone on campus is like you, you know.”

“Like me?”

“Rich kids.”

“I’m not rich.”

“Can’t fool me. I can spot designer a mile away. And don’t think I didn’t notice those flats. What do they go for? Over a grand? If that’s not rich, I don’t know what is.”

“What?” My eyes fly to my feet and the shoes Charles bought me.

“Fashion student.” Keri shrugs, like that explains everything. “And anyway, there’s that laptop.”

I look at it, and guilt starts gnawing at me. How could Charles spend so much money buying me things on top of letting me stay?

Keri doesn’t say anything else and for a few minutes, we sit and silently chew on our pizza. Pizza that suddenly sticks in my throat and tastes like paper coated in grease.

“So, where do you work?” I finally ask Keri.

“Hal’s in the mornings. Rose’s at night,” she says, then quickly clarifies. “Hal’s is the diner two towns over. Great breakfast, not so good coffee.” She gestures at her cup. “Rose’s is a restaurant on campus, but you already know that. Amazing tips, but the hours are terrible and we’re always short staffed.”

“Does that mean they’re hiring?” I ask as my mind races.

I never once considered looking for jobs on campus. I’d heard of classmates’ parents working here, but after getting rejected from LUV Academy, I guess I didn’t think I was good enough for a job here, either. But if the restaurant is short staffed, maybe I could get a job. Then I could start paying the guys back and finally feel useful.

“You interested?” Keri rolls her eyes, like the idea of me working is absurd, and my heart sinks. “Can’t picture a rich girl like you serving food or cleaning tables, but if you wanna give it a try, all it takes is a resume.”

“Really?”

“Sure thing. Look, I have to go. Have a lot of sewing to do.” Keri makes a gesture that, at first, I think is supposed to look like paper going through a photocopier. I then realize she is miming guiding fabric through a sewing machine. “It was really nice meeting you, Robbie.”

“Roonie.”

“Right. Roonie. See ya!” She calls over her shoulder as she jogs out of the cafeteria.

It’s not the first time someone got my name wrong, so I don’t really take offense. Especially not when Keri just inspired me to get a job. Maybe not at a fancy restaurant like Rose’s, but there are plenty of other choices on campus.

I throw away the pizza box and head back to the dorms. My laptop weighs heavily in my arms, but this time it’s excitement not guilt. I can use it to write up a resume. Once I start work, I’ll be able to start paying the guys back.

Once again, I feel like I’m being watched, but when I look around, no one seems to be paying me any attention. Still, I speed up and I’m practically running until I reach the dorm building.