and my radar to pinging all over the place. “Well, I actually work there. I hold the position of assistant director—”
“Do you want to be a teacher?”
I exchanged looks with Tate who rolled his eyes and stepped in. “Mom, she told you already, she’s majoring in international business.”
“Oh, right, right. I guess I’m just trying to figure out why you spend so much time working in a place that’s unrelated to your major.” She held my gaze with her intense blue stare—those same blue eyes that Tate had, like a clear sky on a summer day. Only on her, it looked icy, not warm and inviting like Tate.
“I like to give back to the community where I grew up,” I said slowly, licking my lips and pushing away what was left in my champagne glass. I had very little desire to let my guard down around these people. “I think it’s important.”
She laughed, the tinny noise like a cheese grater on my nerves. Even her chuckle was condescending. “Then why take their money? Why not just volunteer?”
“The money is nominal,” I answered, my words growing more clipped as my fuse shortened. “My paychecks are barely anything, and I work well beyond the hours I get paid for.”
“Then why cash their checks at all?” She wore a berry shade of gloss and worked her thin lips across each other, smoothing the lipstick.
What could I say to that? My financial standing was none of their business, and it had no impact on my relationship with Tate. Before I could answer, Mr. Michaelson cut in with another question. “Tate says you keep pretty busy. Are they demanding over at the tutoring center?”
With another deep breath, I turned my attention to the much friendlier Mr. Michaelson. But I didn’t let that smooth smile and buttery voice gain my trust. The cutest kitten could deliver the deepest scratch.
“I do keep very busy. So does Tate.” I sent him a grin before continuing with what felt like a job interview. “I think it’s a good thing that we both have our own lives.”
“So, the tutoring center is your only job?”
Again, my breath stalled. Tons of students waited tables to pay their way through school. There was no shame in hard work to get where you needed to be.
Tate’s hand on my back was the reassurance I needed. When I looked up, he was glaring at his father. I opened my mouth to answer, but Tate spoke first. “Dad, back off. She works at the tutoring center because she loves it, and that’s the sort of generous person she is. She took me to Shoreburg Park where she grew up—I think I’d know if she had another job.” He blew out a sigh and widened his eyes at me in a sort of silent apology.Wait? Did Tate think I was rich? I flipped back through our history…oh God. Oh, shit. I mean, I guess I never really came right out and said that my bank account was thin, but I didn’t think I alluded to being rich other than a few jokes when we first met. But I was being sarcastic. And had Magnolia’s never come up? I’ve only done a shift or two since the semester started, but even still—it must have come up at least once, right?
“Actually, Tate…I sometimes wai—”
Mr. Michaelson’s phone went off in some sort of alarm. “Oops. We should really get going. Don’t want to be late for the brunch.”
Oh God…Tate’s parents shuffled us out of the penthouse, and I rode the elevator in a total daze. Just how bad did this look?
“Hey,” Tate whispered, giving a gentle tug to a wisp of hair that curled around my jaw. “Everything okay?”
I swallowed, nodding. “Yeah.” I darted a quick glance at Tate’s parents. They were several steps ahead, getting into their SUV. “I just—I think I need to talk to you about something.”
Tate stopped walking, holding my hand and halting my movement as well. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing—I’m fine. We’re fine. I just think I maybe need to clarify some things. I have another—”
“Tate. Shelby. Come on, we’ll be late,” his mom called from the passenger window. We moved slowly toward the car.
“Let’s talk tonight,” he said, rubbing a hand down my arm. “After my parents and I do dinner.”
“I’d rather not wait—”
“Babe, whatever it is, it’ll be fine. As long as what you’re about to tell me isn’t that you’re an axe murderer…”
A smile curved my lips. “I thought you said you’d help bury