Chapter 23

Audrey & Edwin

Audrey's POV

"Thank you again for dinner." I said softly as Edwin pulled up to the front of the dorm buildings. "That was really nice of you."

Edwin cut the engine and turned his head to regard me. "How many times do I have to tell you that it's nothing" he asked with a shrug of one broad shoulder. "Although if you don't mind me asking... are you und My eyes widened ever so slightly at his rather blunt question. How had he known?

"Well, L." I hesitated, chewing my lip as I debated how much to divulge. "My family doesn't have a lot of money, if I'm being honest."

It was true; ever since my first adoptive mother, Maria, had passed away when I was fourteen, I had been adopted by her sister and her sister's husband, Francine and Gary. They had three kids of their own an at-home mother and Gary being a high school science teacher, they weren't exactly loaded.

Edwin remamed silent, his dark eyes trained on me. I couldn't quite read his expression.

"They can't help you out at

out at all?" he suddenly asked,

My face reddened. "No, I. I mean, they would love to, but..

Now that was a lie. They didn't have much of an interest in helping me financially, or helping me

out at all, really, to them, I was the burdensome human in the family. The black sheep, so to speak. The only reason why they took me in as a teen was because Francine didn't want to face scrutiny from the res

There was a long silence after that. Edwin seemed to eye me almost suspiciously for a moment, a knowing look flickering through his gaze.

"Very well. I'll look into securing you some additional funding," he stated matter-of-factly. "Perhaps another scholarship or grant program you qualify for."

"Oh, no!" I protested, shaking my head vehemently. "You don't have to do that, really. I'm making it work. I was actually thinking of getting a part-time job, and—"

can't have one of my students working themselves to the bone with a part time job on top

let myself believe that his concern extended past the standard student- teacher relationship. But of course

to my

cool night air wash over

features once more. With a quiet "Goodnight, I swung the door shut and hurried up. the steps into my

pulled out my notebook and pencils, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Frowning. I

jeans rather than his waiter's uniform, with a backpack slung over one shoulder. He flashed me a warm smile. "Hey," he said. "It's

bright smile of my own. "Thad no idea you were a student here too.

almost nervously? "I just transferred here this

glanced to my left, which was where Tina normally sat; but she was sick today. With a shake of my head, I gestured to

the vacated seat, depositing his backpack on the floor with a dull thud. I chewed

again for what you did the other night." I

Chapter 28

with a dismissive wave of his hand. "It was nothing, really. That uniform needed to be replaced

frank words, fiddling with the end

rueful grin rugged at one corner of Gavin's mouth as he gave a small shrug. “All I

saucers. "Sorry, what?" I breathed,

shot me a concerned look. "You didn't

my head, trying in vain to recall some sort of note on

"No, I

have sworn his smile kicked up a notch. "I wrote down number for you. Left you a note

crimson, and I pulled my phone out with trembling fingers.

my

felt an excited swoop in my stomach as I

text came in.

"Now you

nervous smile as I entered his contact

Edwin's POV

hall a few minutes early, bracing myself for another

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