Free What a Fool Believes by Carmen Green Page B

sucked a little too hard on the can and scratched the inside of his upper lip. He waited a few seconds for the pain to subside. “It’s a well-kept secret.”
    â€œYou’d appear more friendly if you let it out sometimes.”
    He ignored the criticism. “You’re welcome.”
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œCourt.”
    She inserted four quarters and pressed the button for her soda. “Thanks. I hope you didn’t expect me to fall at your feet.” When he didn’t respond, Tia chuckled. “You’re hilarious.”
    The laughter stung more than the insult. “It was a gift.”
    â€œThen you need to start over in the first grade and learn what a gift really is.”
    Frustration worked through his nervous system. She was the reason he was here in the first place. “I shouldn’t have expected gratitude from you. You fled custody. The judge should have thrown the book at you.”
    â€œWho threw the book at you, Byron? What kept you from seeing me behind bars for six months?” Her chocolate brown eyes held him hostage. “You’re in trouble because of me, aren’t you?”
    â€œNo.”
    Her smile said she didn’t believe him. “You’d have testified against me if you’d made it in time. But you’re here. Coincidence? I don’t think so. We aren’t so different.”
    He harrumphed his disagreement.
    â€œI wasn’t angry until that night changed my life. Now I can’t seem to shake it. So that means I have to go wherever it takes me. We’re here for similar reasons. I’m almost sure of that.” She assessed him through eyes that smiled for her. “This class just got interesting.”
    â€œIf you have any ideas of retaliation against your ex, I’ll get you, and I’ll make it stick.”
    Challenge sparkled in her eyes. “I’ll keep checking my tail to see if you’re on to me. See you around, Officer.”
    Tia headed back to the tables and hunched down in the circle of women.
    When they all turned to look at him, he left the commons area and prayed he hadn’t just activated the female version of an atomic bomb.

Chapter Eleven
    Tia slid into her chair at work with two minutes to spare, angry that she hadn’t awakened earlier, as she’d planned.
    â€œCutting it close, aren’t you?”
    Chance’s voice hissed against her neck, and Tia forced herself not to react. That was how Chance got her kicks.
    â€œI’m here. On time. That’s all that matters.”
    â€œThat mouth is going to be your downfall.”
    Tia used a technique she’d learned while reading her homework chapter and didn’t respond.
    â€œNothing to say?”
    â€œIf you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to prepare for the broadcast.”
    Chance’s smile bloomed. “Reassignment. Alison is sitting in as backup anchor for Ben.”
    The ever-present simmer in Tia’s stomach began to boil. “What? Why?”
    â€œWe need an experienced, mature person in line, should anything happen to Ben.”
    â€œShe’s an intern! Alison can’t even pronounce cumulus. She says cunnilingus. How inappropriate is that? Doesn’t that concern you?”
    â€œWhat an exaggerator you are.” Chance laughed, looking cool and pasty. “But at this point, you’d say anything to get your butt out of trouble. As for Alison, this is Georgia. If she ever gets on the air, it’s highly unlikely she’ll ever have to use the word. You’re reassigned. You’re proofreading copy for the Web site.”
    That’s what Alison does, Tia wanted to say but didn’t.
    Interns did the grunt work. That was a universal rule of life. But this was Chance’s opportunity to try to force her to quit so her friend’s niece could take her job. Tia hated it, but her twelve-hundred-dollar mortgage kept her from ripping Chance’s head off,