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I couldn’t help but smile in return. It’d been the first time he’d joked with me and it added fuel to the fire keeping my crush alive.

“Once you have your coffee, I was hoping we could sit and talk. I’ve been thinking about what to do and I have a plan. Just need to know if you’re interested.”

“Of course.”

“Good. Meet me in the living room when you’re ready.”

I willed the machine to make my coffee faster and even forewent the cream and sugar just to get to the room faster. I immediately regretted my decision when I sat and took a sip, cringing at how bitter it tasted.

Erik didn’t comment, just raised his brow at the black liquid in the cup.

“So, what’s up?” I asked.

“Okay.” He set his cup down on the coffee table and rested his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped between them. “I’d like you to stay and work for me. During that time you can save up money to find your own place. The ten thousand at the end of the month should help with that.” My eyebrows rose, my heart thumping harder with each word from his lips. “If business is still your interest for college, then you can submit for our internship program. We pay for any schooling that you can’t cover from scholarships and grants. But you would need to begin applying for scholarships immediately. As well as get your college applications in.”

“Are you serious?” I barely breathed the words, scared that he would begin laughing and say just kidding. It all seemed too good to be true.

“As a heart attack. The only catch is that once you complete your degree you have to work for Bergamo and Brandt for two years before applying at any other jobs.”

“That doesn’t seem like a catch. That sounds like a guaranteed job.”

“We like to at least try to keep our investments. Take some time think it o—”

“Yes,” I interrupted. I didn’t even need half a second to consider this. “Are you kidding me? I’d be a fool not to take an opportunity and I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“Good. I’ll help you get all the applications you’ll need.”

“Of course. God, Erik.” I looked down, embarrassed by the tears burning my eyes. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

He grabbed his mug and stood, ignoring my emotional display. Taking a deep breath, I got myself under control and had to tip my head back to meet his eyes.

“You’re welcome. Now get dressed and we can run out to get you some clothes. Unfortunately, until we get those clothes, you’ll have to wear what you wore yesterday.”

Blood flooded my cheeks. “Um, I-I don’t have money for new clothes. I can just run back to my home and grab some things.”

“I already said no. And I’m buying. I highly doubt you have office wear either.”

I didn’t, but this felt like a charity case.

“Like you said, Alexandra, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

9

Erik

The fluorescent lights shined down on her wide eyes. She walked into the store like she’d never seen a Target before. According to Hanna, it was one of the greatest places on earth, but I didn’t get it.

“I’ve never let myself go in these places before because I couldn’t afford them.” The words were soft like she was saying them to herself. But then she turned her full attention on me with a wry smile. “Leah liked to come here, though. But only because she stole the things she couldn’t afford.”

“Sounds amazing.”

She shrugged, one side of her mouth quirking up ruefully. We stood at the threshold of the sections and I waited for her to lead the way.

“Are you going to go look around?”

“No,” I answered dryly. This store wasn’t my top pick for my wardrobe. “I’m good on clothes.”

“So, you’re going to walk with me?” she asked slowly, one brow cocked.

“Is that a problem?”

“No. Not at all. I’ll be quick and just grab a few things.”

I stayed a few paces behind her watching her. I became lost in watching her smile when her fingers grazed a certain top. She would hold it up to herself and look at herself in the mirror, biting her bottom lip like she didn’t want to let too much happiness show. Then she’d shake her head and put it back, instead grabbing a white button up and other simple clothes.

I began plucking the discarded clothes off the rack and holding them to buy later. She ran her hands down a stack of cotton shirts and admired each color, but settled on a white one.

“What’s your favorite color?”

She blinked like she was coming out of a trance, having forgotten I was there behind her. “What?”

“What’s your favorite color?”

“Umm…green.”

I stepped by her side and grabbed a green shirt, adding a blue one for good measure. It would look good with her eyes.