Page 19 of Tempt Me

Chapter Nine

One Week Later

Bella

My knee bounces as I wait for class to end. Twenty minutes ago, my cell phone pinged, indicating I received an email, but I’ve not looked. It’s probably a spam message or a list of what my mom needs from the store, but it could be the message I’ve been waiting for.

When I applied for Cosmo school last week, I was fueled by alcohol and irritation with Dominic. I wasn’t even sure I hit send until the next morning and almost had a panic attack. But now that it’s done, I want it to happen.

“Be sure to read chapters four and five for the quiz next class, and your research paper is due next week.” Professor Peterson ignores the round of groans as if they didn’t occur from half the class and smiles. “Have a great day.”

There’s nothing wrong with Professor Peterson. He’s a nice older man but I have zero interest in accounting and even less for typing up a five-page paper on the principles of auditing in accounting.

As the students around me stand, grabbing their gear and chatting about the game on Saturday, I scan my phone. The Glamour Institute. My heart lurches into my throat. Please let this be good news.

My hands shake so hard that my phone slips from my fingers. I snatch it inches from the floor, keeping it fromcrashing onto the tiles. Blood rushes to my ears. This has got to be it.

Dear Ms. Wright,

We’ve received your application for cosmetology school for the spring session. However, if you’re interested, we are immediately available for a full-time position in the fall session. Classes begin on October 15th.

We look forward to having you in class.

The rest of the words are a blur. I got in. Now. I close my eyes as panic swells in my chest. I’ll figure it out. I made it in. My lips curve upward as the panic is replaced by excitement. I did it.

“What’s wrong with you?” A deep voice penetrates my haze of happiness. Shit. His disturbance draws me back to reality.

I reopen my eyes and shrug. “Nothing but thank you for asking.”

It’s Rick, one of the smartest guys in class. He’s tall, good-looking, and preppy in a nerdy kind of way. But he isn’t the typical accountant guy. He’s also a jock. I’ve never been to a college football game, but if what I’ve heard is correct, he’s the backup quarterback for the team.

And he’s talking to me.

“You look weird.”

“Thanks.” I mentally roll my eyes, stuff my notebook and other supplies into my teal backpack, and stand.

“No….” His face flushes with heat. “I didn’t mean it like that. You just looked different.” He shrugs. “Happy, I guess.”

“I am.” For now, at least, until I share the news with my parents that I’m switching to Cosmo.

“Good.” He straightens his bag on his shoulder. “Good luck on the quiz.”

“Um…. Thanks.” I’m not about to spill my guts to a complete stranger, but what’s the point of returning to class if I’m quitting in a few weeks. “See you around.”

The fact that this random stranger notices that I look happy tells me that I’ve not covered my misery as well as I thought. “I’ve got to go.”

I brush past him and out into the hallway when my cell phone rings. My stomach cramps when I don’t recognize the number. “Hello?”

“Where’ve you been? I haven’t heard anything from you in a week.”

Dominic. My mouth dries as my steps falter. I stop in the middle of the hallway to catch my balance when a thud knocks me forward. “Shit.”

“Watch where you’re going.” One of the football players glares at me and keeps walking.

“Sure thing.” I step out of everyone’s way and refocus on the phone. “Sorry about that. The hallway is buzzing today.”

“Are you hurt? Was that him?” The frantic tone in his voice sends a ridiculous thrill up my spine.

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