Free Tale of Life (Essence Series #2) by E. L. Todd

what she was implying—that he should by a new suit?
    “We’ll look so cute,” she said happily. Her face lit up when she spoke about the dance and Calloway knew how excited she was for the evening.
    When he went to the winter formal with Weston they didn’t match. Weston didn’t seem concerned about wearing coordinated outfits and their appearance made no difference to Calloway. She could have worn a dinosaur costume and he wouldn’t have cared. Actually, he probably would have liked her even more. And if he dressed up as a stuffed hippopotamus she would have laughed hysterically, amused by the sight. Calloway dismissed the idea, knowing he shouldn’t compare the two women. “Do I need to buy a suit?”
    “You don’t own one already?” she asked incredulously.
    “No,” he said. “I rented a suit for the formal.”
    “We’ll go shopping and I’ll pick one out for you.”
    Calloway felt confused. “Can I just rent a suit again?”
    “You shouldn’t rent a suit—it’s tacky,” Beatrice said.
    “How would anyone know?” Easton snapped. “It’s not like people are going to ask him if owns the suit he’s wearing.”
    Calloway glared at Easton and raised his hand. “I can handle this.” He turned back to Beatrice. “I just prefer not to buy a suit because I can’t afford it.”
    “But you have a job,” she said harshly.
    “Yes, but I wanted to save the money for college—not spend it on a suit I’m never going to wear again.” The light in her eyes ignited in flames and he knew he made her angry. “I want this night to be perfect for you but I think a rented suit is just as good—I’ll show you.” Her eyes were still shinning in unspent rage. “I’m looking forward to seeing you in your dress—I’m sure you’ll look beautiful.”
    Her eyes dimmed at his words and she returned to calm. Calloway didn’t realize being in a relationship was going to be so difficult and stressful. He just wanted to be happy—not argue about money. He squeezed her hand under the table and felt her fingers brush over his skin. The lunch bell rang and ended the free period, severing the connection between their joined hands.
    Calloway walked Beatrice to her next class and saw Hawk standing outside the doorway. He was leaning against the wall right outside her classroom, watching them closely. There was no mistaking his intent—he was waiting for Beatrice. Calloway opened the door for her and chauffeured her inside to safety then turned away from the classroom and walked to his classroom on the other side of the building. He glared at Hawk as he passed him, giving him a stare of pure loathing and hatred, and Hawk gave him the same look. Calloway knew Hawk was wasting his time trying to talk to Beatrice—she wanted nothing to do with him.
    When he arrived at his photography class a few hours later, he still felt the tension from the previous fight he had with Beatrice. Even though she didn’t say it, he knew she was disappointed that he refused to buy a new suit for the prom. And even though he couldn’t afford it, she still seemed annoyed that he wouldn’t do as she asked.
    When Calloway walked outside with his camera, he saw Beatrice kneeling in front of a blue flower in the planter box. It was the only one that survived the winter chill and it stood tall, stretching toward the sun in defiance. It battled the freezing temperature of the season. Spring was approaching and the flower would find adequate warmth soon, allowing it to prosper and grow to full vitality. Calloway grabbed his camera and took a few pictures of Beatrice as she studied the flower. Her eyes were focused on capturing the natural beauty of the scene and Calloway was mesmerized by the sight. The dim light broke through the clouds in the sky and made her look more beautiful than he ever remembered. Sometimes he didn’t understand why she had any interest in him; he felt hideous compared to her. Not only was she beautiful, but she was