Page 29 of A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime

“The penthouse in Manhattan that showcases all of the art—you grew up there?”

I try to ignore the alarm rushing through my veins at his words. At his familiarity with my life. A life I don’t really feel a part of anymore, since I’ve been at Lancaster Prep for most of the last three years, going on four.

Sitting up straighter, I push all thoughts of poor pitiful me out of my mind and smile politely at Crew.

“We moved to that apartment when I was thirteen,” I confirm.

“And you’re an only child.”

My smile fades. “How do you know all of this?”

Crew ignores my question. “No other brothers or sisters, right?”

I am my father’s pride and joy, and my mother’s worst nightmare. She told me exactly that last summer, when we were on vacation on the Italian Riviera and my father bought an extravagantly priced piece of art by an up-and-coming artist he just discovered.

Wejust discovered. My father purchased the piece because I liked it, completely ignoring her opinion. Mother hated it. She prefers more modern pieces while this artist had works that harken back to the Impressionist period.

She was so angry with me when Daddy bought that painting and paid an enormous amount of money to have it shipped home. She said he didn’t listen to her anymore, only to me, which wasn’t true.

Harvey Beaumont doesn’t listen to anyone but himself.

“No siblings,” I finally admit. “I’m an only child.”

“That’s why he’s so overprotective of you, right? His precious daughter, promised to him thanks to a—weirdpurity ceremony.”

His gaze lands on the diamond ring on my left hand, and I immediately drop it into my lap. “You all just love to make fun of me for that.”

“Who’s ‘you all’?”

“Everyone in my class, at this entire school. It’s not like I was alone at that ball. There were other girls there—some even currently attend this school. The ceremony wasn’t creepy. It was special.” I close my notebook and bend down, reaching for my backpack. I shove everything inside and zip it closed before I stand, slinging the backpack over my shoulder.

“Where are you going?” he asks incredulously.

“I don’t have to tolerate your questioning any longer. I’m leaving.” I turn away from Crew and head for the doorway, ignoring Ms. Skov calling my name as I exit her classroom.

I’ve never left class early before, but at this moment, I feel powerful.

And I didn’t even apologize.

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