Beyond the Ivory Tower by Jill Blake Read Free Book Online Page A

heading home.” What the hell. She tossed the condoms in her suitcase. “Besides, we have nothing in common. And he refused to release Klara from the Fellowship.”
    “Anna, sweetie, sorry for pointing out the obvious, but most people view the Talbot Fellowship as something prestigious.”
    “It’s not a degree, Bec. It’s not even a certificate.”
    “Maybe not, but it’ll still look good on Klara’s CV.”
    Anna ducked into the bathroom for her toiletry bag.
    Becca’s voice followed her. “You know Klara will do what she wants, regardless of what you say. Which means you’ve got two choices: prolong the battle and risk alienating her completely, or accept what she’s doing and move on.”
    Anna returned to the bedroom. “What’s option C?”
    “It wouldn’t kill you to be a little more flexible. Klara’s the only family you have. Shame to lose her over something that’s going to be over in two years.”
    Anna sighed. “Bec, the problem is, we’re not just talking two years. We’re talking her entire future.”
    “Does the word hyperbole mean anything to you?”
    Anna ignored her attempt at humor. “If Klara doesn’t finish her education, she’ll end up regretting it. Maybe not now, but someday.” She glanced around to see if there was anything left to pack.
    “She can always go back to school,” Becca said. “There are plenty of returning students of all ages.”
    “I guess.”
    “And look on the bright side. Now that Klara’s moved out, you have the whole place to yourself. You can finally have a social life.”
    “Is that supposed to cheer me up?” Anna said, zipping the suitcase.
    “It’s all in the attitude. Now tell me more about Ethan Talbot.”
    “Nothing more to tell.”
    “Come on, you have to do better than that.”
    “Seriously, Bec. I’m lucky if the guy doesn’t turn around and walk the other way the moment he sees me.”
    “I’m sure you’re exaggerating.”
    “I’m not.”
    “Okay, so what did you do?”
    “I threw myself at him.”
    “You what?”
    Anna winced and lowered the cell phone volume. “I may have had a little too much to drink.” She waited for Becca’s laughter to taper off. “It’s not that funny.”
    “Sorry. I’m just trying to picture it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drunk.”
    “Yeah, well don’t hold your breath.” Anna lifted the suitcase off the bed. “I have to go check out.”
    “Wait—that’s it?”
    Anna sighed. “It’s a long drive, Bec. I’ll talk to you when I get home.”
    Two hours later, her phone buzzed. She ignored it. Another hour passed before she pulled into a rest stop to use the facilities and check messages.
    She read Ethan’s text while standing in line for coffee.
    How are you feeling?
    Oh, boy. Mortified would just about cover it. Hung over would work too. And determined to put the entire unfortunate interlude with Ethan behind her.
    “Next.”
    She dropped the phone back in her bag and stepped up to the counter.
    Two and a half hours later, as she unlocked the front door of her Santa Monica apartment, another text came through:
    You OK?
    Clearly, the man wasn’t going to let it go until she responded.
    She dumped her belongings in the living room and typed:
    All good. Back in LA.
    His response was immediate:
    Didn’t get chance to say goodbye.
    She sank down on the couch.
    Sorry , she wrote. Goodbye.
    And that should have been the end of it. Except for some reason, Ethan seemed determined to go off script.
    When are you back in SF?
    Was he asking because he wanted to see her again, or because he wanted advance notice so he could avoid running into her? She wouldn’t blame him if it was the latter. She’d never made such a fool of herself before. The only thing that would have been worse was if he’d taken her up on her offer, and then she’d vomited all over him. Or passed out in the middle of things. Or woken up naked and alone and not remembering a damn thing about how she got that