Peter straightened, his demeanor instantly morphing into a more relaxed version of the man he’d just been. “Mrs. Lawson, I was just telling Kirby how disrespectful I thought it was that she got a job at Mode down the street.”

My mother looked up at Peter and then at me. I’d always loved her dark blue eyes. They were always so commanding, but my eyes were different and attracted attention. I’d been called Devil’s Spawn, Witch Girl, and much worse from the time I started school for the color of my eyes. Granted, they were unusual, but people unconsciously stared longer than they should, and the entire time all I could hear were the childish chants of my youth.

“You went and got a job. Why? I thought we talked about this, and you wouldn’t get a job while you were here?” My mother held her brown leather briefcase in front of her.

“I wanted to have some spending money, and you were right the other day. I have to ask you or Dad for money all the time for the simplest of things, and I don’t like that. Mode is close by, they are willing to work around my classes, and it gives me my own money to spend on things like clothes. Before you ask, I’m not quitting Quantico. I intend on finishing my classes,” I said, hoping my reasoning would resonate with my mother.

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with your grades. If they begin to slip, you’ll have to quit, but otherwise, I think it’s a very reasonable decision,” my mother said, and my mouth fell open. She never agreed with me about anything, and I had the sudden urge to run out and buy a lottery ticket.

“But, Mrs. Lawson, it’s a café….” Peter was aghast.

“It is, but she is not slinging garbage, and if this helps Kirby focus on school enough to finish her classes and teaches her responsibility, then it is better for everyone. You wouldn’t want her begging for money all of your life together, would you?”

The two talked as if I wasn’t in the room. They didn’t even look at me. Worse, they spoke to each other as if they’d already planned the wedding and the rest of my life without consulting me. I was pretty fucking positive I’d never marry this ass. Livid, I spun around and marched down its now empty hall toward the exit of the school.

“Where are you going,” Peter called out.

“Work, it’s my first shift, and I can’t be late,” I yelled, not bothering to look over my shoulder.