The Freshman (College Years 1)

Just what I thought. “Then how do you know he’s no good? Making assumptions about people you don’t know isn’t fair,” I tell him.

Anger makes the color rise in his cheeks. And my father is usually such a cool customer. Nothing rattles him—with the exception of my mother. And sometimes me. “His father is a complete asshole.”

“Maybe he’s nothing like his father.”

“The apple never falls far from the tree,” Dad points out, and I laugh.

“I’m nothing like you.”

“You’re more like me than you’d ever want to admit.” He grins, his hand tightening around mine. Talking about himself always seems to please him. “Just—leave that kid alone. I didn’t even know Sorrento had a son, let alone one that’s about your age.”

“Then how do you know who I was talking to?” My tone is innocent, but I’m trying to dig. I want to know exactly why my father feels this way toward the Sorrento family.

“I saw you speaking with him earlier and I asked who he was.” Dad sends me a stern look. “Stay away from him.”

Silly man. This makes me only want to talk to Tony more. Don’t parents realize that? If the one you’re interested in suddenly becomes forbidden, all you want is what you can’t have.

My gaze starts scanning the room as I continue to dance with my father, but I don’t spot Tony anywhere. It’s also kind of dark since they dimmed the lights once the music started, so it’s difficult to see.

“May I cut in?” asks a smooth, male voice.

I glance up to find it’s the plastic surgeon’s son, Joseph. My father gets a huge smile on his face as he releases my hand, steering me toward him.

“Please do.” Dad winks at me before he quickly exits the dance floor, leaving me with Joseph and no other choice but to dance with him.

He pulls me into his arms, holding me at a respectable distance before we start to move. He’s smooth, I’ll give him that. Wonder if he had cotillion lessons—I did. I was supposed to be a debutante, but I convinced my parents it wasn’t for me. Both of them pushed hard, though. All that money spent on cotillion lessons for nothing? They were pissed. I’m sure they’ll do the same to Palmer.

“I’m glad we finally get to meet,” Joseph says after a few seconds of silently dancing.

“Me too,” I say, a weak smile curving my lips.

“Your stepmom has told me a lot about you,” he continues.

“She’s not my stepmom,” I correct.

“Oh. Well, your dad’s girlfriend then. She’s really sweet.”

“Sure. Yes. She’s okay, I suppose.” I send him a curious look, not wanting to discuss Lauri with him. “Why aren’t you at school right now?”

“Oh. I came home for the weekend. It’s my father’s birthday tomorrow.” His hand shifts on my back, dropping lower. If he keeps going, it’ll eventually be on my butt, and I won’t stand for that. I barely know this dude.

“How nice. Is there a party?”

“Yes, tomorrow afternoon at our house.” His face brightens. “You should come. Lauri and your father are both invited.”

“Maybe I will, though I have to head back home tomorrow.”

“Where do you live?”

“Fresno.”

He makes a face. Everyone is so snobbish about Fresno. “Why?”

“I go to Fresno State.”

“What’s your major?”

“Liberal arts.” He frowns at my response. “I want to be a teacher,” I explain.