“Yeah, for rich assholes, Dad.”
He looked to me to confirm, and I nodded. “That about sums it up, yeah.”
Coughing again, he added a scoff and gave me a stern look. “Well, what Grace said stands. No putting yourself at risk when we could easily give you what you need.” He grumbled, “Even if the amount is obscene for college students.”
Even though Gia’s parents came from old family money and Mr. V was a successful land developer, I responded the same way I always did with Gia. “You know I could never let you do that, but thank you.”
He shook his head. “And your dad, God rest him, would never forgive me if I didn’t. Same way I’d feel if the tables were turned. So, you just remember that.”
Tears pricked my eyes, and I dropped my gaze from the screen and nodded. “Okay.”
If it was just about the money, I almost thought I’d take him up on it. But I’d accepted the three other reasons I wanted to stay.
“Good.” Grace steered the conversation away quickly. “Now, since the rest has to wait, what was this betrothal you mentioned?”
“It’s just rich people drama.” I blew raspberries as I settled my chin in my hand. “One of my gentleman callers has to take a wife by his twenty-fourth birthday, that’s all.”
Grace’s eyes widened.
But it was Mr. V who spoke up. “You know, I may be out of touch with what you kids get into these days, but I don’t think that’s a normal trend in dating.”
“Not in our world,” I muttered. “This place is like being on another planet.”
“Are you having fun, though? You seem happy, despite all the drama and secrets.” Grace’s shrewd but gentle gaze held mine. “Are you being safe?”
“Yes, frustratingly so,” I griped.
Mr. V blew out a loud breath and took that as his cue to leave the room. He said goodbye, plopped a kiss on the top of Gia’s head, and smiled at Grace. “I’ll go get the car started.”
Once he left the apartment, Gia and her mom squeezed into the frame to talk to me together.
“I should go meet him down there in just a minute, but if you need anything, Quinn, we’re only a call away. Gia said they might have…” She glanced at Gia for help, and Gia waved her on. “If you want us to come for the Alumni event when all the parents are there, we’d love to be there for you.”
Caught off guard, my eyes burned.
I loved Gia’s parents, and was close to them, but it hit me that Camelot Court’s Alumni Weekend would be the first big event that I wouldn’t have either of my parents with me. That they’d thought about it, and offered to come out to support me, touched my heart as much as it made me suddenly sad.
“Thanks, Grace. That’s not until the next challenge, I think. But if I’m still here by then, I’d love for you guys to come.”
“Okay, sweetie. Well, we’ll see you there.” She kissed Gia’s cheek before winking at me. “You make sure that diamond doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, alright?”
“I might not have a choice. These girls are ruthless when it comes to The Quest. The one bringing all the drama up seemed nice before she turned out to be frenemy number one. Not to mention my biggest rival, who will probably throw a wrench into things for me at some point. It’s kind of a mess.”
Grace looked about as lost as I’d felt initially, but she smiled at me. “Well, it’s a good thing you’re clever enough to outsmart these frenemies. Or hey, work with the others to solve the problem. Either way, you’ll figure out what you need to do.”
“Thank you.”
With one last smile, Grace left the apartment, and Gia gave me a sympathetic smile once the door shut. “You okay?”
I thought about it, especially the part where Gia’s parents offered to stand in for mine. My chest felt a bit tight. My palms still had a hint of sweat on them.
But, overall, I was okay.
“Yeah. Surprisingly okay. That was…sweet of them.”
“Mom wants to make them matching T-shirts that sayQuinn for America’s Next Top Maiden.”
I sputtered a laugh. “Okay, that makes it even better. Yes. I approve.”
