Page 73 of Cross My Heart

I place the order, reminding myself that it’s a small price to pay not to live in a war zone for the rest of the semester. “Keep the tab open!” Jia trills, as I hand over my card. “We’re just getting started.”

They down their shots—and then order another round, and slam them back too. I blink. I guess they really are going hard tonight. “So, how’s everyone’s day?” I ask, determined to keep things upbeat.

“Ugh, don’t ask.” Jia sighs. “I was late turning in my thesis prep notes to my supervisor, and she was awful about it. I tried explaining that I’m working extra shifts at the bookstore to cover tuition, but she didn’t want to listen.”

“Bitch,” Kris agrees.

“I didn’t know you were working a job here, too,” I say, taking a sip of my cocktail. It’s strong, but the others are gulping theirs back like it’s seltzer. “When did you start that?”

Jia pauses. “Well, I haven’t actually started, I just picked up an application. But she doesn’t know that! It’s typical,” she continues, glancing around. “This whole place is set up for people who can just snap their fingers and have daddy pay for tuition, they can’t even imagine we might need some extra time, because we have to work for a living, too.”

I bite my tongue. Jia might have more time to study if she didn’t hit the bars with Kris every other night, but I’m not about to point that out right now. “That’s too bad,” I say instead, murmuring sympathetically.

“If the bookstore doesn’t work out, I heard they’re hiring at the college bar,” Kris offers, but Jia shakes her head.

“Are you kidding? Serving all the rich bastards like I’m some lowly paid member of staff? No way. I’ve seen the way they look down on everyone.”

It sounds like Jia looks down enough on the staff herself, but again, I don’t say anything, I just sip my drink.

“You have that scholarship covering all your fees, don’t you?” Kris looks over at me.

I nod. “But it’s still taking up all my savings, too,” I add. “Although… I do have this job offer,” I admit, thinking of Hugh’s insistence. He emailed me an official offer, with all kinds of perks and benefits. “At the Ambrose Foundation? It’s a part-time gig in their fundraising department, and I don’t know how I’ll manage to juggle it with my studies but… I think I’m going to take it.”

I feel a buzz of excitement, saying the words out loud. I don’t think I decided up until this moment, but now I feel it in my gut, it’s an opportunity I want to take.

“That’s awesome,” Kris says, raising his glass in a toast. “Congrats!”

“Thanks,” I beam, but Jia isn’t smiling.

“Wait, when did this happen?” she frowns.

“Um, just yesterday,” I reply. “That’s why I was in London. Hugh asked me to come take a look around.”

“HughAmbrose?” Jia’s lips thin.

“Um, yes. We met at the Lancaster party the other week and got to talking. Why?” I ask, confused by her sudden icy reaction. “What’s the problem?”

“Oh, no problem,” she says sarcastically. “Only that my friend Lucy was on her third round of interviews for that position, and you just swept in and took it.”

I gulp.

“She has her master’s in public administration, andyearsof experience,” Jia adds, glaring. “But I guess the old boys network strikes again. I bet Saint put in a good word to his pal, didn’t he?” she says meanly. “I guess those extracurricular sessions are paying off for you, after all.”

“Hey!” I protest sharply. “I didn’t fuck my way into this job. I’m sorry about your friend,” I add. “Really. But maybe she just wasn’t a good fit for the position.”

“And maybe she’s not hanging out at the right VIP parties, sucking up to rich assholes to get a break.”

I don’t reply. I understand it’s not fair that Hugh called me in and basically offered me the job on a silver platter, and I’m not naïve enough to think that dating Saint isn’t a huge part of why, but still, I’m not going to grovel and apologize. I’ve been on the other side of a hundred missed opportunities, passed over for someone’s niece or cousin, or friend from school. If the scales have finally tipped in my favor, I’m going to make the most of it.

I’d be a fool not to.

Silence falls. Kris looks back and forth between us. “Another round!” he declares.

Jia smirks at me. “Let’s make it champagne. To celebrate youramazingnew job.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say, before she can get the bartender’s attention.

“Why not?”

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