Page 57 of Nerdelicious
Grace’s words at dinner come to mind. I recognize her badgering of Granny for what it is: a test. She presses Granny to the breaking point to see how she’ll respond. With discipline? With banishment? Or worse, with nothing at all? But Granny cares. She won’t kick Grace out. Granny won’t be sending Grace away no matter how badly she behaves—fake threats of violence notwithstanding.
My childhood was like growing up in Themyscira compared to hers. I am the luckiest person, with every opportunity, every privilege thrust at me like it’s mana raining from the sky. Parents who are always there, an education I didn’t have to work too hard for, food always on the table, and a roof over my head whenever I need it.
And yet here I am, moping about my lack of job prospects and life problems. The reality is hard to stomach, but necessary. The only thing that’s ever really held me back is my own dumb decisions.
This revelation is still slopping shame all over me when the window below opens and there’s a gentle tap on my foot.
I sit up, wrapping my arms around my legs. Over the edge of the roof, Beast’s head appears.
Not like a disembodied head or anything. His head is followed by his shoulders and the rest of his large form, hauling himself up onto the roof in one smooth movement. He sits next to me, taking up most of the small space.
“What are you doing?”
He pulls his phone out of his back pocket and types into it before showing me the screen.Checking on you.
A laugh huffs out of me. Of course. “Who checks on you?”
He freezes.
“Never mind. I’m stargazing while I can, because once I go back...” I trail off on a shrug.
We sit side by side in silence for long minutes. Despite last night, it’s not uncomfortable like I might have expected, even though we’re basically in the same position as we were when things went haywire. Sexy haywire.
He taps something out on his phone and shows it to me.
Did you tell your parents about the job interview today?
My head snaps up. “Did Grace blab? I’m gonna put toothpaste in her shampoo bottle.”
I swear his mouth turns up, but it’s hard to see for sure in the moonlight.
“I didn’t tell them. It was too embarrassing.” And if Grace is going to spill my secrets, I don’t feel so bad about spilling what she revealed. “Grace told me you applied to a culinary school in Dallas.”
He’s still again. Then he types,I didn’t get in.
“You could apply again. You know, there’s a really good one in New York. The Culinary Institute of America, the CIA. Wouldn’t it be pretty badass to tell people you go there?”
Can’t leave Grace and Jude. They’re my only family. You have your parents, I have them.
“I get it.” Though I don’t like it. Why can’t they move for him if he would stay for them?
Blue Falls might not be the best, but it’s something. Maybe I’ll open a restaurant someday or maybe I’ll take over your job at Bodean’s when you leave.
“Usurper,” I accuse. Then I nudge him with my elbow. “It’s an assistant type job, but Lucas is talented. And you would be good at it.”
Maybe.
“Why wouldn’t you be?”
He huffs out a breath. Points at his mouth.
“That’s not an impediment. Most people talk too much, and then they don’t shut up and ramble out nonsense.”
I’m not sure I’ve met anyone that meets that description.
“Hardy har har.”
I can’t see his face in the dim light, just the edge of his profile limned in moonlight. I wish I could make him understand his own potential. I can’t let him make the same mistakes I made.
