Page 6 of The Perfect Steal

“Well, I'm sorry. Not everyone has a rich dad like you.” I clamped my mouth shut. Where had that come from? I’d grown up knowing I needed manners, even when people irritated me. Relaxing a bit, I said, “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I just really need to catch a break in this class.”

Studying Nate's face, it didn’t seem like I’d actually wounded him. He was smiling more like I’d made some funny joke.

Whatever. I just needed to keep my words to myself for the sake of this class and project.

Picking up my pen, I said, “Okay, so the first thing we probably want to do is find out how much we can afford.”

“Can't we just look at the classifieds and find something that fits our budget?” Nate asked, sliding down in the seat of his desk. He started tapping his pencil on top of the desk, drawing my eyes to his rather toned arms.

I shook my head and focused back on the paper in front of me. Boys were just one more headache I didn’t need right now. I could pretend I was with a movie star, which I did more often than I probably should. Imaginary meant never getting hurt.

“Your findings, along with pictures and information for the sale or lease, will be due next Monday,” Mrs. Rhodes said loud enough that the rest of the group could hear. “There will be no chances for extra credit on this first assignment, so put in the time to make it work.”

I closed my eyes, willing away a headache starting to form. Maybe I’d need a couple of ibuprofen too. “What’s your phone number?” I pulled out my phone, ready to type in a new contact.

“I’m already dating someone,” he said, giving me that sly smile. I’d felt sorry for him a few minutes ago, why?

I stared at him, any slight attraction to him fading fast. “Dude, I’m not asking you out on a date. I need your phone number so we can coordinate going to these places.” I was usually so mild-mannered, but it seemed he was already getting under my skin.

“Gotcha,” he said, laughing.

“Seriously, Nate. I need this class to be an A. If you’re not on board with accomplishing that, please go talk to Mrs. Rhodes.”

He held up his hands in surrender. “Easy. I’ll help. I was just teasing.” He rattled off the number, and the bell rang.

I had never been more grateful for that sound in my life. Now I just needed to find a way to work with Nate and not lose my sanity.

3

Nate

Call me crazy, but I was actually excited about this assignment. The idea of taking school and putting it into real life was something I figured would be useful.

And getting assigned to work with Brynn would be more fun than I’d thought at first.

She’d always been quiet, looking like she had a lot more to say under the surface but kept quiet whenever our groups of friends hung out. But I’d never forget the look of disgust when I said I had a girlfriend. And she hadn’t hesitated before coming back at me with a direct comment.

I didn’t get that much, being the mayor’s son. Most people sucked up to my family to claim they were our friends and to get perks, even if they were few.

My headache had subsided a bit, but my body was ready for a break.

“Nate, how’s it going?” Lacey Young said, coming up by my side. The way she said it was flirtatious and teasing, the tone most girls used when talking with me. But instead of playing along with it, Brynn’s face popped into my mind again.

“I’m alive, a little sick,” I said, stepping away from her arm as she’d wrapped it around my waist. “Sorry, I just don’t want you to catch anything.”

Mostly true, but it had the desired effect. Lacey scrunched her nose and frowned. “I’m so sorry. You better get home and rest, then. We’ll have to hang out a different time.”

She walked down the hall, giving me a coy grin as she wiggled her fingers.

“You must be sick,” Colt said, coming up behind me. “I’ve never seen you turn down a hug from a girl.”

I shrugged, not sure how to answer that. “It’s not like I’ve hugged every girl in the school, and maybe I’m just not up for flirting right now. I’ve got more to worry about than that.”

Colt raised an eyebrow. “You? Worried? I’ve got to hear this.”

We headed down the stairs and over to the commons where the guys usually met up for a few minutes before heading home. “Surviving the last week before reelection. I’m certain that my life will be just as crazy whether or not my father wins.”

“At least he’s not breathing down your throat about college.”

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