“Come on, get up.” She rubbed my back. “It’s Sunday, and you can’t afford to waste it sleeping.”
“I’m not ‘wasting’ anything,” I muttered. “I’m recovering.”
“You have one day off a week, and you committed to using it to study,” she said. “This is me holding you accountable.”
“I’ll study later.” I adjusted my pillow. “I promise.”
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
I shot upright at the sound of my phone and grabbed it off the coffee table.
Mr. Cross
You need to come into the office as soon as you can today. There are some meetings I need you to attend with me.
Let me know when you’re on your way so I can have an ETA.
I held back a sigh.
“What is it?” Everly asked.
I handed her my cell phone, and her eyes narrowed as she read his message.
“Screw him,” she said. “Don’t you dare go in today.”
“None of the other jobs have responded to me yet.” I winced as my sore muscles begged me to lie back down. “I don’t have a choice.”
“If the shoe was on the other foot, what would you tell me to do right now?”
I took my phone from her and responded to Mr. Cross.
I’ll be on my way to assist with meetings TOMORROW. The day I’m actually required to work.
I’m off on Sundays.
I changed clothes and brushed my teeth before grabbing my book bag.
“I’ll be at a cafe studying,” I said to them at the door. “Save me some of whatever you get for dinner.”
THIRTEEN
ANDREA
My favorite Sweet Seasons café sat just across the Brooklyn Bridge, its panoramic windows offering a dreamy view of the Manhattan skyline. Going there always felt a little like hovering at the edge of a ferry, taking in the world.
When I walked through the doors, its familiar cinnamon scent lured me to a dark leather chair in the corner.
Getting comfortable, I pulled out my book and picked up where I last left off in my textbook.
I was halfway through an equation when a shadow moved over me.
What the…I looked up to see a cute guy in all blue smiling at me.
“Hey.” I took out my earbuds. “Am I in your usual spot or something?”
“Not at all.” He placed a latte on my table. “I’m assuming you’re Andrea and that this belongs to you since your name keeps scrolling across the counter’s screen.”
“Oh, yeah. Thank you.”
