Stepping Up To Love (Lakeside Porches 1) by Katie O'Boyle Read Free Book Online Page A

she didn’t quite trust.
    “It didn’t go well for me. I don’t want to be in that position again.”
    She saw a muscle twitch in his jaw.
    “Ever. I know three months’ room and board is—”
    “Covered. Most colleges have a fund for students in good standing who are confronted with a financial emergency that threatens their ability to continue their studies.”
    Manda stayed quiet. Why hadn’t he told her that when she brought it up yesterday?
    Joel went on, “The college makes an investment so the student can get on his or her feet and finish the degree.”
    What he said sounded plausible to Manda, but she still felt uneasy. She knew if she asked further he would deflect her questions, no matter how she phrased them. She looked him in the eye, opened her mouth, and closed it again.
    Joel’s next words made her think he was on her side, if not exactly on her level. “Manda, no one wants a repeat of what happened. I’ll just speak for me. I want you to graduate in May and have a great life. No delays, no more—” he shook his head, “no more worrying about where you’re sleeping or how you’re going to pay for a meal or replace a laptop.”
    Manda felt herself tear up. She felt about ten years old. Maybe, like the substance abuse counselor told her, she was just going through emotional withdrawal. Or—what was it?—post-trauma something.
    Joel asked her, “What are you planning after you graduate?”
    He was smiling now, and his eyes were warm and interested. Manda rallied a smile for him. She didn’t trust her voice yet.
    “Grad school? Marriage?”
    She rolled her eyes. She was definitely off men for life, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. “I have some applications in for—”
    A knock interrupted.
    “Come in, Tina,” Joel welcomed the caterer who quickly set up breakfast. Eggs and a basket of croissants, butter, and jam for Manda, an egg-white omelet and dry toast for Joel, a carafe of fresh-squeezed orange juice, and a large pot of coffee. No cream, no sugar, no white linen napkins.
    “Will there be anything else, Mr. Cushman?”
    Manda covered her smile, glad Tina was focused on Joel. Joel’s eyes sparkled, and she bet he was thinking the same thing. “I believe we have everything, Tina. You can shut the door on your way out. Thank you.”
    “Thank you for breakfast.” Manda picked up her paper napkin, slowly, with two fingers.
    Joel teased, “We have you to thank for no linen napkins.”
    “I’m cool with that.” She shook open the oversized napkin and made a show of spreading it on her lap.
    Joel laughed out loud at the performance.
    Manda poured orange juice for both of them.
    “Tell me what you know about the Manse rumor mill,” Joel directed.
    “It’s humming this morning. So far I’ve heard (A) you and I are hot and heavy, (B) you pulverized Kristof, (C) I’m pregnant—lots of speculation about whose baby— and (D) Remy is on probation. You’re feeding me again, which is feeding the rumor mill. What’s up with that?”
    “What’s up is that I need to keep close tabs on you, and you need to eat.” He waved his fork playfully. “Don’t think breakfast is part of the deal after today.”
    They ate in silence for a few minutes. As Manda relaxed, she realized how tense Joel was. She wished he’d ask her a question. Halfway through her eggs, she caved. “What do you need to know?”
    “Counselor first. What did she say?”
    “Well, between the counselor and the doctor, I understand that I have the disease of alcoholism, but they decided I don’t require detox or rehab.”
    “And how do they know that?” Joel asked casually.
    “The way I heard it is they use two criteria. First, I totally get that I can’t drink again without hideous consequences, like losing myself and being totally humiliated, which is exactly what happened. And I know from experience that, for the last year or more, once I pick up a drink I don’t stop, even on a good day, until I