The door swung open, spilling light across the floor of my room. “Why is it so dark in here?” Tess asked, dropping onto the bed beside me. “Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for work?”

Rolling onto my stomach, I pressed my face into the pillow. “I have time.”

My shift at the bar didn’t start for two hours. If I played my cards right, I could laze in a tub with cucumbers over my eyes to reduce the swelling before I had to put on my makeup. It was embarrassing enough, crying over a guy I’d known for three days. I didn’t need anyone else to witness my stupidity.

Rubbing my back, Tess rested her chin on my shoulder. “I take it that your fling with Cameron is over?”

Fling…

Was that all it was? It felt like more. Like we’d known each other for years. Like I’d miss him when he was gone.

“Yep.” I flopped onto my back, throwing my arm over my face. “He had a thing tonight in Deep Ellum.”

She snorted. “He could’ve at least invited you. It’s not like he’s going to be seeing you after…”

Her words pierced me like a sharp blade, seeking out the tiny bubble of hope in my chest. And poof, it was gone. Because she was right. I’d never see Cameron again. And instead of spending every second with him, I’d mortgaged our final moments for the jar full of tips I’d earn standing behind the bar, serving overpriced drinks to fat-cat businessmen.

“He did invite me.”

Since Tess would probably turn over the registration to her car to spend an hour with Logan, I wasn’t surprised by her silence. When she found her voice, she croaked, “Say what?”

I blew out a heavy breath. “You know I can’t afford to miss work.”

It was true. I had less than three months before the bill for my tuition came due. Twenty five thousand dollars, give or take. And then I’d have to swallow my pride, make an appointment with my father’s secretary, and beg for his help. Or I wouldn’t graduate.

It was my own fault. I’d never bothered to apply for a student loan. Because in my heart, I’d always believed that my parents would come around. They would, in order to save face. But I had my own pride to contend with now, and I wouldn’t borrow a penny more than I needed. The Mansion offered ten thousand dollars in tuition assistance, and if I was really frugal, I could put a small dent in the other fifteen thousand before the balance came due.

“I’m not buying it,” Tess said, and when I opened my eyes, I found her scowling at me. “What are we talking—a hundred bucks? Two?”

Her gaze slid across the room, to the unused canvases and unopened sketch pads, all bundled neatly on the floor. Then she glanced at my easel, and the expensive paints and brushes.

I propped up on my elbows. “I n-need those things.”

For a split second the judgement in Tess’s brown eyes resembled my mother’s. And I understood. Tess was a business major. Cut from the same cloth I’d ripped my way out of when I’d decided that I couldn’t sit behind a desk all day. She’d never understand that I needed art like she needed air. Painting and sculpting and drawing were necessary. And if I had to go without lunch a couple of days a week to afford my supplies, well, I’d do it.

She covered her hand with mine. “I know you do, sweetie. But obviously you’re missing some other things in your life or you wouldn’t be sitting here in the dark, crying. Why don’t you tell me about Cameron.”

I opened my mouth, a big “hell no” on the tip of my tongue. But then the story unfolded like I’d been waiting for her to ask. It didn’t take long. Because what did I really know about Cameron? Nothing.

“So besides the sex, what makes him so special?” Tess asked when I’d finished.

A flush spread from my chest, settling in my cheeks. “He t-thinks my stutter is cute. And he thinks I’m smart. And f-funny.”

My tone was so soft, when Tess’s brows drew together, I thought maybe she hadn’t heard me. “You are. All those things. Geez, Lily, don’t you know that? Everyone at the bar—”

“Wants to fuck me.” My declaration stunned her into silence, and I sighed. “That’s not what I meant, exactly. It’s j-just…they notice me for my looks first. They overlook the stutter because of t-these.” I pointed to my breasts.

“Well, they are kind of nice.” Rolling my eyes, I batted her hand away when she tried to squeeze my boob. “So Cameron didn’t notice your tits, then?”

“Of course he did. But he said I was s-special.” I pursed my lips when she arched a brow. “Before he slept with me.”

“Okay… so… given all that. Why didn’t you go out with him tonight?”

How could I explain the pull I felt for Cameron? The butterflies in my stomach. My sweaty palms. And the pain that lanced through me when I thought about him leaving. I couldn’t. So I scooted to the end of the bed and climbed to my feet like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. “I’ve got to get ready for work.”

Tess shook her head. “You’re going to regret this,” she singsonged on her way out of the room.

And despite all the valid reasons I had for declining Cameron’s offer, I knew she was right.