A flush of red crept up Jake’s pasty white face. “You need to leave or I’ll call campus security.”
“No problem. We can talk out here while waiting for them.”
Jake swore and shoved the door open. He slammed it behind me.
“What’s Mara after now? She ruined my marriage and almost cost me my job.”
I got comfy on a beat-up couch and tried not to think about the bodily fluids that stained it. “That’s what I’d like to discuss. Why did it cost her the degree but you’re still here working?”
“I was young and stupid and they understood that. I lost my wife.”
“I’ll let you in on a little secret. Wives don’t like it when you fuck other women. It wasn’t Mara’s fault.”
Jake sputtered.
“I have a task for you.” I continued like I was telling Franklin what I wanted to get done for the week. “What you’re going to do is approach the administration. You’re going to tell them that you sabotaged Mara’s grade because you knew how desperate she was. Then you’ll tell them how you abused your position to take advantage of her. And here’s what I expect. A diploma awarding her the business degree she rightfully earned.”
“It’s not going to happen.”
I sat forward so abruptly, Jake jumped back. “It is and here’s why. Otherwise, I will arrange for a personal audit to comb through your career, every student you’ve been responsible for, and I can guarantee they’ll find patterns. Girls whose grades were too low to pass suddenly pulling through. Then we’re going to find those girls and we’re going to offer them the chance to press charges. I’ll pay for their representation.”
Jake clenched his teeth and balled his fists. “You’re bluffing.”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard of me, but my name is Wesley Robson.” I paused and watched the color drain from Jake’s already pale face. Jake might not have heard of me, but he knew the last name. “Since we’re sitting in Robson Hall, the building funded by my dad’s generous contributions to furthering the business education of students, I’m going to guess you know that I’m not bluffing. I want this done today.”
Jake almost looked relieved. “Not possible.”
“Because it’s Friday afternoon? It’s very much possible. I’ve arranged it and they’re waiting for you. I’ll walk you there.” I grinned.
Chapter 23
Mara
It’d been two weeks since Wes had tried to call me.
I didn’t get out of my car. My head rested on the steering wheel. I killed the engine but stayed in the car.
No job offers. The damn cream-colored suit I wore was on its third dry-cleaning. Maybe it was my unlucky charm.
I was only three weeks out of work with several interviews, but maybe I was rushing the process. Maybe the process didn’t like a girl with nothing beyond a high school diploma. Hindsight, donkey’s ass. I should’ve transferred to an online college and finished my degree.
Or maybe it was what I needed to email Chris. His proposal was solid and I’d need to come up with some capital, but not nearly as much as going into the venture on my own.
I could partner with Chris. I wasn’t going to let men like Jake and Wes tarnish my view for the rest of my life. Wasn’t going to lose myself in this stupid job search, where I was trading everything I was passionate about for dry-clean only and rush hour.
I’d constructed my reply. Digging out my phone, I pulled up the draft in my email app and sent it.
Boom. Done. Time to get out of the car and face my new world.
Freezing rain pelted the window. Snow was forecasted. Good thing I’d gotten groceries. No interviews the next day and I had Netflix. I was ready to get snowed in while everyone forgot how to drive on slick streets for a few days.
Someone tapped on my window. I yelped and flung back in the seat.
I registered my door opening and my mind reeled through how to react. Start the engine and drive away. Yank the door shut and punch the locks. Lash out.
“I’m freezing my ass off out here.”
That voice. I squeezed my eyes shut.
“What are you doing here?”
“Since I don’t think your phone’s broken, I thought it’d work better than calling.”
“No. Greedy whores don’t always answer their phone.”
“Come on, Mara. Look at me.”
I opened one eye and glared at him through it.
Contrite Wes was not who I was expecting. Sleet peppered his face, but he didn’t flinch.
“Fine.” I gathered my things and got out. He closed the door behind me and ripped his J.Crew coat off to hold over me as a makeshift umbrella.
Why’d he have to go do something sweet?
I got us inside and took his coat. It didn’t get hung up with my coat. I draped it over the end table next to the front door.
Right eye twitch. I counted it as a win.
He went to the couch we’d had some amazing sex on and settled in. A briefcase I hadn’t noticed before rested at his feet.
I stayed standing and ordered my muscles not to fidget under his scrutiny.
“You look good. Where are you working?”
“I’m not.”
“I’m sorry.”
I shrugged and crossed my arms. “It is what it is.”
“No, I’m sorry for the way I treated you.”
“When?”
He winced. “Everything. No, I don’t regret our time together, but I’m sorry for how it began. For the lies, for the insults to your character.”
This conversation was going to destroy me later, but I’d hold it in until he left. Wes in my house scrambled my good sense. How right it felt shorted my you should know better wiring.
“Okay. You can go now.”
“A few more things, please.”
“Wes, I—”
He lifted the bag and grabbed some papers.
“I hate that bag,” I blurted.
“I don’t blame you.” He held them out to me.
“No offense, but this scenario didn’t go so well last time.”
He set them next to him on the couch. “It’s the same contract you were going to sign with Sam. I halted the demolition and the mall is
