Page 56 of The Prom King & The Ice Queen

Somehow I’m guessing the half-answer I gave Leo’s mother isn’t going to suffice. I take a deep breath, but Leo cuts in.

“Grandmother,” he says quietly. “Must we interrogate Savannah?”

“No one’s interrogating, dear,” his grandmother responds with a laugh. But her gaze is razor sharp when it comes back to me.

But when Leo’s hand comes to rest on my low back, I feel a surge of strength. I glance up and he’s smiling at me, and that smile says so much. It says ‘show ‘em what you got.’

It says he’s not embarrassed.

And neither am I.

“I’d like to go to community college,” I say. “If I can get a scholarship to cover the expense.”

There’s a silence, and I wait for it. Some sign of judgment.

But after another assessing look, Mrs. Barons nods. “That’s very prudent. It’s a shame how expensive colleges and universities have become. So many young people are taking on loans they can’t even begin to comprehend.”

I nod, and Mr. Barons asks. “What about your family? Can’t they help?”

“Grandpa,” Leo says in a warning tone.

“No, Leo, it’s okay,” I say, straightening away from him slightly. I don’t need his help, though I appreciate it more than I want to admit.

But honestly, I’m feeling freer than I’ve felt in a long time now. It’s not because of Leo, but…but I’m glad I stayed. This conversation is pretty much everything I’ve tried to avoid my entire life. It was the big bad boogie man that terrified me. But now, it’s like someone threw on the lights.

“My father is not in the picture,” I say simply. “And my mother hasn’t had much luck holding down a steady job.”

I take a deep breath as they stare at me wide-eyed.

I feel the most ridiculous urge to laugh. I said it. I just…blurted it out.

And the world did not end.

“Well, that’s…unfortunate,” Mrs. Barons says. She exchanges a look with Leo that I don’t quite catch. And then she gives me a small smile. “And that makes all you’ve accomplished even more admirable.”

I blink in surprise at that.

Mr. Barons nods his agreement. “If there’s anything we can do to help—”

Leo’s shaking his head, but I smile. “Thank you.”

And I don’t mean for the offer. When they walk away, I turn to find Leo watching me closely.

“Well,” I say. “That was…a first.”

He smiles and tugs me into his arms. “That was amazing.”

“They were nicer than I thought they’d be.”

He nods. “I think they’re trying. If Vince’s arrival has taught them anything it’s that they are not perfect and neither is anyone else. They’re in no position to judge.”

I nod, but now that the rush of adrenaline has passed, I’m feeling shaky.

“Want to get some air?” he asks.

I nod again and when he takes my hand, I catch my breath at the electric current that seems to flow between us. He takes me out through the back to a veranda that’s lit with Christmas lights. It’s cold, but he shrugs out of his suit jacket and settles it around my shoulders.

“Who knew Leo Barons was such a gentleman?” I tease.

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