Free The Escape Collection: (The Escape Collection) by Elena Aitken Page B

It’s your house.”
    I looked down at the table top and picked at the tines of the fork. “That’s the thing,” I said. “It’s not my house. It still belongs to Grams. William, I would if I could, but I can’t tell him to leave. Besides, I really could use the extra money. I now it’s not an ideal situation but—”
    “No, not at all. Especially with you at Glenmore Academy.”  
    I swallowed a mouthful of wine. “I know you said the faculty was held to a higher standard and—”
    “A much higher standard.”
    “Yes, a much higher standard,” I repeated. “But I’m just a substitute. I didn’t think the rules would apply to me. It’s not like I’m actually on staff.”  
    William spun the stem of his glass between his fingers. A small smile moved across his face. “Well, I was going to tell you the good news tonight,” he said. “But I might as well tell you now. Glenmore Academy is considering you for that contract position I was telling you about.”
    I almost knocked my chair over when I jumped up. “William. That’s amazing. Really? When did you find out? Why haven’t I heard anything yet?”
    “Settle down.” He smiled and waved me back to my seat, but I couldn’t sit. Subbing was good and all, but to get a contract position at a school like Glenmore Academy would be amazing. Not to mention the paycheck.  
    “It’s not official yet,” William said. “And with your new living situation,” he waved his hand in the direction of the kitchen, “I don’t think the board will like it,” he finished.
    I sank into my seat. “The board?”
    “Since it’s a private school, and a very prestigious one.” William paused the way he always did on the word prestigious. I tried not to roll my eyes as he continued. “All the hiring decisions are made by the board of directors,” he said, and took a slow sip of his wine. “And they’re a very conservative group. The school has a certain reputation to uphold and the faculty has a responsibility to the students to set only the finest example.”
    “Surely they wouldn’t deny my application because I have a roommate.” A shiver ran down my spine and I shook my head. “No,” I said. “That doesn’t make sense. It’s not like I’m living with you and we’re an unmarried couple. I just have a roommate.”
    “A male roommate,” William said with a scowl.  
    “But it’s innocent.” I planted both hands on the table in front of me. “I’m with you. Everyone at the school knows that.”
    William leaned back in his chair, ignoring my distress. “Exactly,” he said. “Think of how it will look. Everyone knows we’re dating, and yet here you are, living with another man.”
    Right on cue, Reid came around the corner into the dining room, carrying two steaming plates. “Here you go,” he said and set the delicious smelling meal in front of us. “For the happy couple.”
    I mumbled a thank-you to Reid and looked across the table to William, who was staring at me with an expression on his face that made it clear we were anything but happy. Reid looked between us. His gaze landed on mine with a question in his eyes.  
    “I guess I’ll be going,” he said after a moment. “I don’t want to intrude.”
    “No,” I said a little too emphatically. William dropped his fork on the plate with a clatter and glared at me. I ignored him and kept talking. “What I meant was, you don’t have to rush off, Reid. Did you want to stay for dinner, too? There should be enough.”
    I don’t know what force was compelling the words to come out of my mouth, but I couldn’t seem to stop them. I didn’t need to look to know that William’s face was red from anger and if he’d been actually chewing any food, he probably would have choked on it. But I couldn’t help it. The thought of spending what was supposed to be a romantic dinner with him so angry and grouchy felt like torture. Especially when I wanted to be happy about being up for a