Pushing Limits (Fighting Love #1) - kali cross Page 0,13
sudden fascination.
“I came by to drop off the keys to the Towne car.” He lightly lifts my chin up so he can see my face. I freeze from the contact, as the heat rushes to my face. He slides his finger across my chin before releasing it. So casual, almost unnoticeable, but I feel a connection lingering after he let’s go.
Man, I need to get laid...and preferably by him. Damn.
The office chick gives us a snotty look and says snidely, “Can I help you?”
“We are here for a three o’clock appointment with Ms. Chadwick. Can you please let her know we are here?” Aunt Patty states, giving her an exaggerated, cold look.
“Well, I’ll let you ladies go. She doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” He smiles wide enough to show his dimples. “Amber, I was serious about showing you around. Here’s my number.” He hands me a slip of paper, and I shove it in my jeans.
“Uh, thanks, Tommy. I’d like that.” I smile shyly, still struggling to make eye contact. I am such a nerd!
“See you later, Lily.” Tommy smiles and waves at the blond ice princess.
“Later, Tommy.” Her lips curve into a sunny smile. Looking back at my aunt and me, all the warmth fades from her eyes as she says, “I’ll show you back to the chancellor’s office.”
As we walk back, Aunt Patty nudges me with her elbow, smiling her encouragement. Sighing, I roll my eyes. But inside? I do a secret little happy dance.
***
The meeting with the chancellor was quick. The meeting consisted of an introduction and getting my schedule. Ms. Chadwick tried to give me a hard time about my low GPA but Aunt Patty stood up for me. That was a shocker.
Lily is waiting for us as we leave the chancellor’s office. As we walk to the foyer, she stops and hands me brochures and reading materials for the school, treating me to one last sneer topped off with an eye roll. She’s mildly polite to my aunt but not overly so. My aunt and I exchange glances and turn to walk out of the office.
As we walk to the exit door, my aunt leans into me saying, “Well, I sure hope most of the girls at this school aren’t bitches like her.” Aunt Patty chuckles.
“Yeah, I hope so, too,” I mutter. We walk to the dorms in silence. As we walk up the stairs to the doors of Collin Hall, I ask, “Did you ever wish you had gone back to school after you left your husband?” I never knew my uncle. He was out of the picture when I was still a toddler.
Pausing as she reaches for the door handle, she says, “I would have like to have gone back to college, but your grandmother was a stubborn woman. When she told me she was cutting me off, she meant it. Even after I left Larry, she stood her ground. I didn’t have the money, and I had to support myself.” Her lips spread into a thin line. “I was the black sheep of the family - such a cliché,” she says, grimacing, pushing the door with unexpected force, “...but that’s what I was. Even though I struggled to find a job, she told me I wasn’t getting one penny from her. Not many people wanted to hire a kid with no skills and no college education. It was her way of punishing me for defying her.”
Her eyes scanned the lobby, not focusing on anything in particular, a bitter scowl crossing her face. “Your grandmother was one callous bitch.”
“I guess Mom learned from the best.”
“You said it.” Her eyes narrow as she straightens her back. “I didn’t let anyone stop me from getting an education. It took a while, but I finished. You were probably too young to remember. I think you were about six or seven when I graduated.”
As we cross the lobby, we both fall strangely silent. Stopping abruptly, she turns to me, “Amber, what are you going to sleep on? You have no linens.” She shakes her head, giving herself a playful slap on the cheek. Heading for the receptionist desk, she asks the attendant, “Is there a mall nearby or do we need to arrange for a car?”
“There’s a mall on the east end of campus. It’s a short walk from here. They have everything…Neiman Marcus, Saks, Macy’s, the whole nine yards. There’s also a Target across the street from the mall. Here’s a map.”