100% That Witch - Celia Kyle Page 0,39

she needed plenty of rest and self-care to get through this—not just the relationship woes, but her job and school problems as well. She liked working at the magic supply shop, but it was still tiring to juggle school, work, and the normal social life of a young woman.

When her phone rang and penetrated her dream, she almost ignored it. It felt so good to rest that the chime of her cell just didn’t seem important. With a sudden, frantic rush, her conscious mind caught up and blasted her out of her slumber.

The many important people who could be calling ran through her mind in a surge. Work, school, Rhys? She almost panicked when her hand hit the nightstand and the phone wasn’t there. Cursing, she struggled across the bed and reached farther over the tabletop to finally grasp the phone.

She put it straight to her ear without even looking at the screen.

“Hello?”

“Tiffany. Hello.”

Shit.

Her father. Her insides groaned, bone deep. She made sure only the faintest sigh left her lips, not wanting him to catch her exasperation. He was insufferable enough most of the time without her outright insulting him.

“Hi, Dad.”

“You sound a bit rough,” he probed. “I didn’t wake you. Did I?”

“Of course not,” she lied with conviction, keeping her tone light.

“Well, good. I wouldn’t want you to be out partying every night. Not while you’re in such a precarious position.”

“Yes, Dad,” she answered automatically.

“Speaking of, do you have any progress to share? That is the reason for my call, by the way. I expect that by now you would have lifted your grades.” His tone implied he didn’t believe it, let alone expect it.

“I got a tutor,” she said stubbornly. “I’m working really hard, Dad. You’d be proud of me. I got a B on my last test.” She felt her chest swell with pride. Surely, he’d be happy about that. She had made a lot of progress in a very short time.

“You got a B on the test? Are you joking?”

Tiffany winced, not liking his tone. “Yeah. Considering the last one was an F, I—”

Her father scoffed and she imagined the dismissive look on his face. “You know it should be an A, Tiffany. They should all be A’s.”

She sighed, trying not to let her frustration creep into her voice. What he was asking for was impossible. Couldn’t he see that? She was trying her best, and she was doing well. Even though she knew she could never please him and gain the approval she desperately needed, she couldn’t help trying.

“Yes, Dad. I understand. I’ll try harder.”

“Good,” he said grumpily. “Now, tell me. How much is this tutor costing me? He better be a good one. Maybe I should personally ask him why you aren’t making top grades yet.”

Stress twisted in her chest at the idea of her father talking to Nero. She had to compose herself a bit before answering. As well as being a bit freaked out by the idea of her Dad grilling Nero, she was angry that he always made everything about money. If he found out the tutoring was free, he would have the perfect excuse for her not making top grades.

That’s definitely a conversation I don’t want to have.

“You don’t have to worry about that, Dad,” she said firmly. “I got a job.”

There was complete silence on the line for a few seconds. Only the faint hiss of the air on the other end of the line let her know it was still open.

“You got a job?” he asked emphatically.

“Yes,” she answered, trying not to sound smug.

“What are you doing? Washing dishes or something?” His tone was odd, as if he was overjoyed she’d gotten employed but still underestimated her, as if he expected nothing more than a ground-level position.

“No,” she said firmly. “I work at the magic shop, with Kiki.”

“Oh,” he said lightly. He clearly wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, so he was unable to rip her about it. “Do you like it?”

“Yeah, I like it a lot.”

“Do they pay you well?” He was needling her now, trying to get a reaction out of her as well as finding a reason to put her down over her job.

“Quite well,” she answered firmly. No way was she was going to give him exact figures.

“That’s really good, Tiffany,” he said, sounding satisfied. “I’m pleased to hear it. How are things going with that necromancer you were talking about?”

Her heart dropped at the question. She closed her eyes slowly and let her