Page 80 of Risks

“Hey, you,” he answers happily. “Ijust got in from work. All done at the club?”

“Yeah.” I pause by a tree. “Um, Ihave some news.”

“It’s a match, huh.” He chuckles.“He’s really your dad.”

“He is.” I hum in delight, stillthrilled about that. “Jesiah really is my father. But there’s more.” I pick atmy jeans, turning anxious. “Remember that paid internship I told you about?”

“Mmhm. The one with the publishingcompany in New York.”

“Well, they got back to me. I landeda spot.”

“Awesome!” He laughs. “Congratulations,babe. That’s so cool. When do you start?”

My throat goes rigid, and I take adeep swallow to speak. “Um, the sixth of June…until September first.”

Silence fills the line.

“I would ask to change the dates,but I feel like that’d be unprofessional.”

“Huh,” is all he says.

My pulse spikes from hisdisappointment burning through the phone. “I know you really want us to go toScotland, but maybe we could wait until Christmas.”

“It’ll be cold,” he points out. “AndI’m sure you want to spend the holiday with Jesiah.” He sounds frustrated. “Can’tyou just ask?”

“Varen, I don’t think I should. It’snot an emergency or anything.”

“It’s still important,” he mutters,blowing a sharp breath.

I frown. “Scotland will always bethere. This opportunity might not come again. Courtney, the head of my club,says it’s competitive. I really want the internship. Aren’t you happy for me?”

“Of course I am. It’s just…”

“What?” I urge, shifting from oneleg to the other in my confusion that he doesn’t see the importance of theinternship over a leisure trip.

“It’s…” Another heavy sigh fills theline. “Nevermind. You’re right. Scotland will always be there.”

The tension leaves my shoulders.“I’m glad you understand.”

“Oh hey, Latoya! You want to gocelebrate?”

I pivot and spot Jasper standing afew feet away.

“Who’s that?” Varen questions,sounding like he’s on the verge of flipping.

“A guy from the club.” I hold myfinger up for Jasper to give me a minute, then finish telling Varen, “He gotthe internship, too.”

“Huh. Just the two of you?”

I scowl. “Yeah. Is something wrong?”

He’s quiet for a beat. “So you’respending the entire summer in New York with a guy?”

I roll my eyes even though he can’tsee me. “We’ll be working, Varen. That’s all it is. I’m not entertaining otherguys.”

“I never said that.” He rumblesunder his breath. “I’m sorry.”

“I feel like something’s troublingyou. What is it?”

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