Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air.“Emmett!There you are.”
My heart plummeted as Meghan strutted up beside Emmett, looping her arm through his.Of course.Of-fucking-course, this pretty-boy douche was related to the most obnoxious girl on campus.
Meghan’s nose crinkled as she glanced between us.“Why are you talking to her?Let’s go.”
I opened my mouth to let loose a scathing retort, but Emmett beat me to it.
“Jesus, Meghan.Do you have to be such a bitch all the time?”He shook his head and gave me an apologetic grimace.“Sorry about my sister.Sometimes she forgets her manners.”
My surprise must have shown on my face because Emmett chuckled again.
Then hewinkedat me.Actually fucking winked.My cheeks were on fire.
Meghan rolled her eyes and exited the lobby, leaving Emmett standing in front of me.“I’ll see you around, beautiful.”
With a parting smirk, he turned and followed his sister.I watched him fall into step beside the harpy, their bodies a stark contrast: him—tall, dark, and charming—and her—petite, blonde, and bitchy with an infuriating aura of entitlement.
In a foggy daze, I pushed through the lobby doors and into the brisk evening air.The walk to the neighboring building did little to settle my thoughts.My mind was full of Emmett’s handsome face and confident smirk.
I scoffed under my breath, berating myself.Getting caught up with a rich prick like him would only lead to disaster.I refused to end up like my mother—nothing more than a pampered trophy wife.
By the time I collected my package, I was in a foul mood.I needed to refocus, to ground myself.
I pushed open the door to my room.I’d lucked out and got a single.The lucky feeling faded when I got my first whiff of the weird eggy smell seeping in from the hallway.But it was my own space.I was in control and beholden to no one.I tossed my keys onto the cheap pressboard desk and tore into the package.
It contained an array of expensive skincare products and high-end make-up, all curated to my mother’s exacting taste.I sighed.Even after all this time, she didn’t understand me.
I flipped open a sleek compact, revealing an elegant, pressed powder.My eyes widened at the astronomical price tag.Was this shit made of crushed diamonds?
I snapped it shut and pursed my lips.Part of me relished the luxury, but I couldn’t let myself get seduced by superficial things.
I pushed the box aside and retrieved my tattered planner from my backpack.Flipping through the crammed pages, I re-centered myself on my goals.This was what mattered—my future career, my independence, my impact on the world.Not pretty makeup compacts or roguish smiles from rich frat bros.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Mom’s number, preparing for an avalanche of criticism and probing questions.
“Hi sweetie, did you get it?”she gushed, not giving me a chance to speak.
“Yes, thanks, Mom.It was...very thoughtful.”
“Well, I wanted to make sure my baby has everything she needs to look her best.First impressions are so important, especially at a school like that.You never know who you might meet!”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.She saw this as an opportunity to marry me off to someone “suitable.”For “suitable,” read “rich.”
“I’m here to study, not snag a sugar daddy.”
“Callie!Don’t be so crass—I simply want you to keep your options open.”
As I ended the call, I felt that familiar aching divide between us.She would never understand my need to find a purpose beyond social status and material success.
Still, that was her problem.My path was my own.
I turned back to my planner.This was my life.I wouldn’t let anyone, not even my mother, dictate how I should live it.
CHAPTER ONE
CALLIE
“Order up, Cal!”
