Free Entangled: Sequel to Awakened by Lacey Roberts Page B

and I put the television on.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Xavier had been at some gala event tonight with Janet South, who’s the only child of a multi-billionaire. I remember reading about her father a few weeks ago. He is probably one of the most powerful men in the country. The headline was splashed across the screen that he’d been kissing her.” Aline broke down in tears.
    Callie pulled her friend into her arms. “Oh hun, don’t let him upset you. The bastard isn’t worth it.”
    “I want to go home.”
    “You can’t go home yet. What about your degree?”
    “I’ll finish in Dalton, by correspondence, at community college. Hell, at this point, I don’t care.”
    “Please don’t. If you do that you won’t be eligible for any awards from here. Those awards can make a huge difference to the positions you’ll be offered. You’ve earned, them. You’re entitled to them. Please, don’t throw your whole future away.”
    “I can’t stay, Callie. I couldn’t bear to see him in class knowing he’s with her. He would also be a constant reminder of how I lost my dream job.”
    Callie held Aline away and wiped her tear stained face with a tissue. “You were falling for him.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous, of course I wasn’t. It upsets me that he’s taken away the job and the opportunity for me to graduate here.”
    “He hasn’t taken that, you’re giving it to him. Stand up to him. Finish the course. Tell him you’re not interested in the job offer and he can fuck off.”
    “I couldn’t stand to be reminded of what I’ve lost. I can’t do it.”
    “Hun, you’re one of the strongest people I know. You can do it. I know you can. How about a hot chocolate and I’ll help you into bed?”
    Aline nodded. “How did your date go? You’re home early?”
    “It sucked. I’ll tell you about it over lunch tomorrow.”
    ***
    Xavier strode into the foyer of Aline’s dorm. He was excited about seeing her after almost four days away. He had missed her far more than he had expected.
    Callie stomped from the shadows toward him. He glanced around for Aline but she was nowhere to be seen. Was she sick? Hurt?
    “Callie, where’s Aline? Is she okay?” Panic was evident in his voice.
    Callie stood before him, hands on her hips. “Is she okay? No she fuckin’ isn’t. What the hell were you thinking? Did you think she wouldn’t see it? Thanks to you, she’s speaking with the Dean tomorrow to tell him she’s leaving. I can’t talk her out of it. You’re a first class bastard. Not only did you dangle her dream job in front of her and demand she succumb to you for it but, now, you have denied her the awards she would have obtained by finishing her degree here. Those awards would have guaranteed her a prized position elsewhere.”
    “Whoa. What the fuck are you talking about? Aline’s leaving? Why? We had an agreement. That’s why I’m here to take her out on a date.”
    “You really believe Aline will date you at the same time you are screwing some rich tart back in Dalton? She has far too much pride to allow you to belittle her like that.”
    “Callie, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I have no intention of being with anyone else. It’s Aline I want.”
    “Janet South. Gala. Kiss. Headline – Is she the one?”
    “Fuck. Aline saw the news report?”
    “Finally the penny drops. I didn’t figure you for being stupid enough to think you could run around town with someone else, especially such a high profile woman, and Aline wouldn’t find out.”
    Xavier crossed to the lift and jammed his hand on the button. The doors opened.
    Callie raced toward him. “Where do you think you’re going? You can’t go up there.”
    “Like hell I can’t. I’m going to talk to her and explain. It’s not what she thinks. Room number, Callie.”
    “You can’t…”
    “I’ll bang on every door to find her if I have to.”
    “Second floor. Room twelve.”
    “Thank you.”
    The lift doors closed