Page 65 of My UnTrue Love
“You have a rare gift. Very, very few people are born with that little dollop ofka-pow!in their blood. It gives you a natural advantage in music. But it takes more than just innate ability to be a classical violinist. You need professional training.”
“I looked up pictures of that Westlands Academy place you were talkin’ about.”
She wasn’t the least bit surprised, but she pretended to be. “Oh, did you?”
“They have swanky white columns and shit at that school. Even if they let me in, I don’t have the money for tuition. I don’t even know why you brought it up.”
“Because you’re more talented than most of the students at Westlands Performing Arts Academy and you deserve the best instruction possible. There are scholarships you can apply for.”
The kid didn’t look convinced.
“I know a lot of people in this town.” Clem persisted. “I’ll help you get recommendation letters and convince the academy that you’re worth a shot.”
For just a second, hope lit his expression. …Then, it faded. “Except I’m not worth a shot.”
“Luke, youare.”
“Whatever. I gotta go…”
Harry came over, cutting off his exit. “Here you are!”
Luke’s body tensed, like he expected to be kicked out of the club. Or maybe just kicked. He watched the sasquatch with palpable distrust.
Harry barely noticed him, caught up in his act. “On the house.” He announced grandly and placed a huge pepperoni pizza on the table, executing an actual bow.
Luke was too distracted by the sight of food to notice the sasquatch’s terribly stilted delivery. The kid’s lips parted in something approaching awe, as he studied the pizza. “They’re just --like--givingthis to you?”
“Oh, sure.” Clementine wasn’t a gifted liar, but she was pleased with that blasé delivery. She covered her uncomfortable blush by picking up the smallest slice of pizza. “They’re always giving away food this early in the evening. It helps to bring people through the door. If you ever need a free dinner, just come on by and Harry will hook you up.”
Harry sent her a pointed look.
She gave him an almost imperceptible nod, assuring him again that she’d pay for anything Luke ate. Finding the money might be hard, but she’d do it somehow. She couldn’t let the poor kid starve.
Harry patted her shoulder in a “you’re an idiot, but I like you” kind of way and left.
Luke’s brows drew together. “He’s not supposed to touch you. It’s a real Bad idea.”
“You’re kind of obsessed with touching.”
“I’m trying to look out for you. Hell if I knowwhy, because you’re really fucking bossy.”
“Ambitious.” Clementine corrected, around a bite of pizza. She preferred the fried onion appetizer at The Kitchen, but it wasn’t bad. “‘Bossy’ sounds better when you pronounce it ‘ambitious’.”
“I just don’t think you understand enough about coyotes. Women who get mixed up with usalwaysregret it.”
“I’m sure there are plenty of very happy coyote relationships.”
“I’m certain there’snot. We don’t have True Loves.”
“That just means coyotes can choose anyone they want. Making your own choices is always best.”
“Except the girls we choose don’t choose us back. Not for long. Look, I’m not sure how that guitar-player convinced a lady like you to live with him…”
“Oh, it was my idea, not Bill’s.”
Luke sighed as if he pitied her and kept talking. “…But you’re making a big mistake. Coyotes are possessive of the women they steal. They can be dangerous. And he’snotgoing to like how friendly that sasquatch is with you.”
She frowned, because Luke’s anti-coyote sentiments hinted at self-esteem issues. “First of all, Bill didn’t ‘steal’ me. Secondly, Harry is dating a large, gorgeous cowboy. And thirdand most important to this conversation: Bill isn’t dangerous. Not to anyone andcertainlynot to me.”
