“I never got to tell you congratulations, Joseph,” I said, changing the subject. Mom beamed, happy to be discussing how fucking wonderful her husband was. I was starting to get a Stepford wives vibe from her, and I was not liking it.
He preened. “Well, thank you. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I’m very excited for this new role. I hope I can do it justice. Also, good luck with school next week. I looked at your schedule. I had some of the same professors as you. Be sure to sit in the front row of Doctor Bhavsar’s class and she’ll love you forever.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” Why the fuck had he been looking at my schedule? It wasn’t really his business, was it?
“Also, I used to work at the library. I can put in a good word for you. Dad mentioned you didn’t like the internship opportunity,” he continued. I pinned my lips shut, thankful that Jack didn’t tell Joseph about our argument. “It’s a great job to have. I basically got paid to study. You wouldn’t imagine the things I saw on the night shift.”
I nodded and swallowed. “That would actually be great. I’d like to work for some spending money. I appreciate the apartment and everything else, but I still want to work.”
“I knew I liked you,” Joseph said with a grin. “You’re definitely a Beauregard. You could easily have everything handed to you, and yet you want to work. It’s admirable. This country was built by men and women like us.”
His words made me feel icky. I couldn’t put a finger on it. Maybe I just didn’t like politicians.
I knew that I needed to make more of an effort with Joseph. I still had a lot of questions and concerns, but it was important that I try. I took a step forward, my arms stretched open for a congratulatory hug, but Joseph held his hand up. “Hold that thought, can you hug me over there by the flag so we can have a photo taken? It’ll look great for the press release.”
“Oh. Um. Sure,” I whispered before swallowing anxiously. This was the problem with Joseph; his life was a stage, and everyone had a role to play. Something told me that Hamilton was cast as the villain to make Joseph look better. I just couldn’t prove it—yet.
12
I smoothed my skirt and twisted my long hair into a bun. Little Mama was snoring and snoozing in her brand new, plush dog bed in the corner of my bedroom. She liked her beauty sleep early in the morning; otherwise, I would have made her go on a jog with me to work off the anxious energy in my veins. I didn’t even like running, but I had all this anxiety with nowhere to go.
Today was the first day of school.
Babysitting Little Mama was good for dulling my nerves. Hamilton ended up catching an earlier flight to work, so Jess brought her by and gave me the rundown on all Little Mama’s quirks and needs. I probably took the poor dog on five walks yesterday just so I could get the buzz out of my bones.
I couldn’t quite figure out the source of my turmoil. Was it from my mistake with Hamilton in the storage closet, or was it from the fear of not fitting in at my new university?
Something told me it was both.
Everything about Greenwich University contradicted my vision for college. It felt like a fancy prep school with elite expectations.
My morning class was Philosophy, and I kept anxiously checking my messenger bag to make sure I had all the right textbooks for the day. I loved the feel of a fresh start. I loved the idea of being somewhere new and exciting, but this was tainted with the Beauregard legacy. Joseph jokingly reminded me that everyone who was worth knowing was well-informed that a Beauregard was now attending Greenwich. He made it sound like he expected me to wear the privilege like a fine fur coat. I wanted to blend, not be held to standards I didn’t understand yet. I was still Vera Garner—not Vera Beauregard. And I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to carry the burden of his name.
I laced up my combat boots and tugged at my black skinny jeans. My white shirt was simple and crisp. I tucked it into my jeans and finished off the outfit with a Gucci belt. I tied my hair up in a bun and swiped some mascara and blush on before deciding that it didn’t matter how I looked today.
My phone pinged.
Hamilton: Testing. Am I still blocked?
Me: No. I unblocked you this morning.
Hamilton: How is my favorite girl doing?
I blushed and hovered my fingers over the keys.
Me: I’m fine. Nervous about the first day of school.
Hamilton’s response was immediate.
Hamilton: I was asking about Little Mama…
I giggled to myself and rolled my eyes as another text came through.
Hamilton: You’re going to be amazing.
Hamilton: What are you wearing?
I chewed on the inside of my cheek for a moment while staring at his message. I knew he was just taunting me—distracting me for his own selfish benefit. I turned on the camera and took a quick mirror selfie before sending it to him.
My phone started ringing as soon as my message said delivered.
“You’re way too beautiful, you know that?” he said the moment I answered.
“You’re way too obnoxious, you know that?” I replied. I was finding it hard not to smile.
“Have you ever genuinely accepted a compliment, Vera?” Hamilton whispered. “I mean really basked in the fact that someone truly found you to be painfully beautiful and wonderful and fucking perfect?”
I thought over his question. “No,” I admitted. “I’m not good at compliments.”
“Let’s practice then, hmm? Vera Garner, you are the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen. You have the most kissable lips,
