Page 9

She blinked at the professor in confusion, the sensations she felt before dissipating as reality hit. Blaire had been given this information and she hadn’t even had a chance to read anything about it. Did they expect her to enroll in a university with no knowledge of her course of study, or anything at all?

“Think about it?” The professor tilted her head, studying Blaire as if she had spoken a foreign language. “Why on Earth would you want to do that? This is an amazing offer, and from my understanding, you have been looking to move from Rosebrook for something new.” She gave Blaire a knowing look.

How did she know that? How much research had the woman done?

“Well, yes… but—”

“Miss Wilcox, to put it not so delicately, the offer stands until I walk out that door, and then you remain as a waitress in this diner until you’re married to… whomever.” She paused, stressing the word “whomever,” as if she knew to whom. “And then what’s next? Bearing children to a man you resent and growing old as you serve apple pie to Blackthorn Academy students year after year, envying what you might have been able to achieve?”

Blaire shut her eyes as angry tears built behind her eyelids, her breathing quickening on the verge of an anxiety attack. The memories of Caleb crawling over her last night surfaced. Would that be her life forever?

A loud sound on the other side of the diner broke through her panic and she looked up to see the guy from yesterday pass through the exit, his friends staring in her direction.

The professor sighed. “I should go. You need to get back to work selling apple pies, and it seems one of my students may need me.” She stood from her chair and dusted nonexistent dirt from her lap before straightening her blouse. “You have a good day, Miss Wilcox.”

Blaire’s eyes shot up to meet the professor’s russet brown eyes. This might be her only chance at freedom; if she didn’t take it, she could be stuck here forever.

“Wait!” she called out as the professor stepped away.

The professor paused before turning back to look at her, eyebrows raised.

Blaire swallowed the lump in her throat as she glanced around, licking her lips as she looked toward the window to the kitchen.

“Will I…” She lowered her voice to barely a whisper. “Will I be safe from the Wilcox family there?”

If the woman had done her research, Blaire wouldn’t need to elaborate. Her hands bunched in her apron on her lap as she waited for the professor’s response.

With a soft sigh, the professor bent forward and set the envelope in front of Blaire once again, before moving around the table and sitting down. “We’re familiar with the Wilcox name and their influence in Rosebrook, as well as across Georgia. That being said, I can assure you if you do not wish to continue your association with them, you won’t have to. You will find protection from their reach within Blackthorn’s walls.”

Blaire exhaled, tension leaving her body as she slumped in her seat. The risk that Caleb and his grandparents could still reach her lingered. She didn’t know if this woman just told her what she wanted to hear, but something deep within her urged her to act.

She sat up, steeling her resolve, and met the professor’s eyes with a determined gaze. “I accept.”

“Yes, I knew you would see reason.” Professor Velastra reached across the table and placed her hand on the envelope with a smirk. “Inside, you will find all the admission contracts you need to sign. We would like you to start immediately, if possible.”

Blaire pulled the stack of papers from the large envelope and looked them over. The pages were filled with legal terms and phrases she didn’t understand. She probably should have a lawyer look at them. She glanced up as the professor slid a pen across the table to her.

She didn’t have lawyer money, so she took the pen and placed it on the paper, hoping she made the right decision.

“Immediately? How immediate are we talking? I still have work scheduled, and I don’t know what I’m going to do about my current home situation.” She looked back down at the papers as she added her initials to another form.

Crossing her legs, the professor sat up tall and gestured toward Ricky, who had come out of the kitchen to look at them, getting impatient and nosy. “I will handle the sticky details regarding your departure from your employment. I’m sure I can speak in a language your frugal boss can understand.” The professor breathed sharply through her nose and looked as if the entire situation had left an unpleasant taste in her mouth. “As far as your home life is concerned… Do you have someone you need to inform of this situation, or shall we be… discreet?”

Blaire snapped her gaze up to meet the professor’s eyes, pausing in her signing of the documents. The professor gave her that same knowing look with a casual smirk, as if she already knew everything about Blaire.

“I… discretion, please.” She looked down and quickly finished signing the final document, sliding the papers back into the envelope, and passing it over the table.

The professor stood from her chair and tucked the envelope under her arm. “Yes, I figured as much. I’d like you and your redheaded friend there”—she pointed to Charlotte, who’d been watching from the staff room door—“to figure out the details of getting your belongings here, and I’ll meet you in the morning—outside. Only once you’re safely within the walls of Blackthorn will I deal with your boss, as I have a feeling there will be opposition should he become aware of your newfound opportunity.”

“In the morning? Already?” She looked up at the professor in surprise. This was all happening too fast.

“Yes, Miss Wilcox. When I said immediately, I meant immediately.” She gently touched Blaire’s shoulder before gracefully walking away.

Blaire sat in stunned silence until Ricky yelled at her to get back to work. She gathered her things and hurried to the staff room to let Charlotte know what happened as the group at the table got up and exited the same side door the man went through.

This was really happening.

4