Page 73 of The Assist
Clark shrugs off, his displeasure at being called down clear on his face.
“I think you should probably take a walk too.”
“Don’t get in my way, Mario,” I warn. “I just want to talk to Blair.”
He doesn’t move, but I see his resolve crumble. “Just trying to look out for her. I’ll move when she says it’s okay, but not before.”
He glances over at Vanessa, who looks at him like he’s her hero.
“It’s fine, you two,” Blair says, hopping down from her chair and placing a hand on Mario’s arm. “Can you give us a few minutes?”
Vanessa side-eyes me as Mario leads her away.
“You want to sit?” Blair reclaims her spot at the bar.
I don’t know what I expected after I crossed the bar, got in some guys face for touching her, and then treated another guy that I’ve been cool with for years like shit, but it isn’t civility from her.
“Sorry about that,” I say as I sit. I’m not sorry in the least, but there’s a laundry list of shit I’ve done in the past few weeks that needs apologizing for, so it feels like a good move to start groveling right off the bat.
“When did you get back?” A seemingly simple question made treacherous by her tone.
“Today. I was going—”
She holds up a hand. “Save it.”
“You look good.” At least that’s the truth. She’s wearing a silver dress that shows off her toned shoulders, and her hair is pulled up and away from her face in the way I like. I don’t know if the effort was for me, but it doesn’t go unappreciated. She looks all shiny and new, and I feel all tarnished.
“Thank you.” She lets out a breath as if she’s preparing for battle. “How is it being back?”
For some reason, I don’t give her my rehearsed line. Maybe it’s the way she asks like she cares or understands. Maybe I just want to be real with someone. Maybe it’s just her.
“Tough, but it’s better than watching my mom walk around with a Kleenex in her hand, wiping her eyes like I died or something.”
“Blair, we’re gonna head out.” V hovers off to the side.
She stands and pulls her purse strap to her shoulder. “Well, I should get going. I have work tomorrow.”
“The café is open over break?”
She shakes her head. “No, I quit my job at the café. I got a job with the campus career center. I’m going in tomorrow to get things set up.”
Joel appears at my side and pulls Blair into a hug. He’s drunk and completely oblivious to the moment he just barged in on.
“Blair, it’s so good to see you. You coming back to the house? We’re having some people over for a little after party.”
I grind my teeth. “We are?”
“No, sorry. I was just telling Wes I got a new job teaching workshops on goal setting and choosing a career path.”
“That’s a thing?” Joel asks with a confused expression on his face.
“It is. It’s an optional workshop taught once a month by an upper classman. I’ll also be occupying a table at the tutor center for one-on-one sessions and tips on setting and achieving goals.”
“Who would go to something like that?”
I elbow him in the ribs. “Sounds”—I search for the words, any words but the ones that are coming to mind—“interesting.”
“Yeah, well, let’s hope others think so.”
