Anger bubbles beneath my skin.
“Right.” I sigh, folding my arms over my chest.
“I need to get something from my office; then I’m heading out.”
“Oh, I’ve been working in there. I can move my laptop?—”
“Working? On what?”
“Just playing on my computer.” I shrug. If he knows I want to get a job, he can easily squash my chances of employment before I even get started on the hunt.
He stares at me a solid beat, like his glare alone will get me to expand on what I’ve told him. Being the youngest and the only girl has taught me many things. One of which is that a look can’t kill, but telling the truth might just lead there.
“Here.” He thrusts his arm out. “You’re going to need this.”
It’s my coat. The one I left at Lush.
“How’d you get this?”
“The coat check slip was on the couch after you left that night. I had someone pick it up for you.” He moves his gaze to Mrs. Popova. “Sergei will drive you home when you’re ready.”
She nods. “Yes, he mentioned. Thank you. My car will be ready soon.”
“It will be ready tomorrow.” He says it with such confidence, I’m sure he had something to do with the timing.
“Thank you.” She nods again, focusing on her chopping.
When he turns to leave, he hesitates like he’s wanting to say something else, but he stalks off without another word.
I find him standing at the desk, staring down at my laptop that I left open. When he realizes I’ve followed him, he lifts his gaze to me.
“You’re looking for a job?” He points to the screen.
“You know I’m a teacher.” I lift my chin, ready to battle him if need be.
I’d been able to work without interference back home, because it kept me out of everyone’s hair. So long as I kept busy, I didn’t get in their way. It was easier for everyone to forget I even existed.
The same can be true here.
“You don’t need to have a job.” He closes the laptop, pressing his fingertips into the device. “You’ll have an allowance, and if there’s anything you need that it doesn’t cover you’ll ask me.”
“An allowance?” I laugh, folding my arms over my chest. “I’m not a child, Kaz. I won’t be asking you for anything.”
He raises an eyebrow, tilting his head.
“Is that right?”
“Yes.” I nod sharply. “I enjoy my work. Once I take the state test to have my license transferred over, I’ll be looking for a permanent position. In the meantime, I plan to substitute teach.”
“And you don’t think I have a say in any of that?”
“No. I don’t.” I roll my shoulders back and straighten my spine. An attack is coming, and I need to be ready for it.
He stalks to me, his eyes blazing. If I look closely, I’m sure I can see actual fire flames reflecting in his eyes.
“You don’t think you need to ask me?”
“For permission to work? No. For money, also no. I can take care of myself.” In a brief moment of weakness, I retreat a step. My back hits the door behind me.
