“I hope Violet warned you about me.” She grins.
“She did.” I return her grin.
“Good. So what’s got you up?”
“I have to quit the museum. I know I do, but I’m terrified of what that means. I have no idea what I’m going to do next.”
“Quit?” She frowns.
“Even if we can come up with the money, if I stay and Drew and his father go through with their threats… It’ll ruin the museum’s reputation for a long time. They already have enough on their plate as it is—even with the votes and money, they have attendance issues and staff cuts they need to make. They don’t need more problems—ones needlessly created by drama that has nothing to do with them. If I take myself out of the picture, there’s no reason to go after them.”
Her lips crumple and she nods her understanding. “Yeah, I suppose that’s true.”
“So I’m going to quit today.” I frown, taking a sip of my lemonade.
“And then you’re going to come work with me.”
“What?” I look up at her abruptly.
“You’d be the perfect partner for the non-profit I’m starting. Then I wouldn’t have to rely so heavily on Violet, and you have a lot of the same connections—especially when it comes to your museum.”
“Oh…um. Wow. Yeah, I guess that it could make sense.”
“I know we don’t know each other that well but I think we’d make good partners. You remind me of Violet. Sensible and down to earth. It’ll balance out my chaos.” She grins. “Plus Colton seems to like you, so if he says no to me, I bet he won’t say no to you. And since he’s the key to this little book we’ve got planned…” Her lips curl in a knowing smirk.
“Colton won’t say no to you. I saw the way he looked at you yesterday.” I don’t mention what he said because I feel like I owe him some confidence.
“Well, still. You’ll back me up, right?”
“Right.”
“All right. Then we’re partners.” She holds her hand out, and I take it.
“Partners.” I grin.
FIFTY-ONE
Alex
That dayas I’m packing up after practice, I get a message from my father letting me know that he’s been able to neutralize any bad press Drew has dreamed up. He’ll fill me in on the details later, but I don’t need to worry anymore. I’ve never been so happy in my life, and I immediately pull out my phone to text Saint.
My father says we’re good.
SAINT
Oh my god. What a relief! He might be my hero, at least in this one case.
Let’s not get carried away. I’m finishing up practice now. Then I’m going to Drew’s office to fire him.
Be careful. You know he’s going to react. Can someone go with you so you’re not alone in case he tries something?
She has a good point. I look over at Tobias’s locker as he packs up.
“Hey, Tobias!” I call to him, and he turns to look at me as he puts his shirt on. “Could you go with me to Drew’s office?”
“Now?” His brow furrows.
“Yeah. I got the all-clear and I want to fire him. I’ve already lined up with your agent to take over. Saint pointed out I probably shouldn’t go alone.”
