Say Nothing... (The Speak Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

week. I'll be up to my eyeballs in work for the next couple of days."
    "Well, now that I'm done with school, maybe we can meet up for lunch."
    "Sounds good. I wanted to take you to get a mani-pedi for your graduation. My nails are trashed. I'll know what my schedule is when I get in today."
    "Yay. Sounds good. It's a date so keep me posted."
    "Will do. Okay, I'm getting close, and I don't want to miss my exit. I'll text you later."
    "Sure thing. Talk to you later."

I HEAD OUT ABOUT AN hour after Ari leaves for work. I drive toward campus with graduation on the brain. It's a week away. I only have a few things to wrap up before I'm a free man. At least from school, anyway. I took the internship in L.A. with my dad's old firm. You're looking at the new office bitch of The Law Offices of Loya, Rudd, and Rummel. My mother wasn't too happy I passed on the London opportunity. She was even more pissed when I added I was also staying at USC for law school. She blames Ari. God, that woman will never change.
    Her ears must be ringing because my phone vibrates in my pocket the minute I park the car. I say a silent prayer that it's Ari. My thumb hovers over the screen as soon as I see her name. If I send her to voicemail, she'll just call me until I answer. I hit accept and face the music.
    "Mother." I try to keep my tone pleasant, but I'm fooling no one.
    "Do you always have to sound so bothered when I call you?" Here we go. I release a breath.
    "You just caught me at a bad time, Mom. Sorry." The truth is it never is a good time. The woman exasperates me.
    "I'm sorry, but it never seems to be a good time," she says, relaying my thoughts.
    "I just got to campus. Can I call you when I'm done here?"
    "Oh. Well, I'll be quick. I just wanted to see if you were free after your graduation. Andrew and I would like to take you out to dinner if you don't already have plans."
    The question hangs between us. If I say no, she'll start the waterworks. I roll my eyes and hold in the frustrated sigh I'm dying to release.
    "Ari is welcome to join us," she adds.
    "That should be fine. Her work schedule is all over the place this week, so we haven't made any definite plans."
    "Perfect. Well, then it's settled. I will make the reservations."
    You can hear the excitement in her tone. I've pleased her because, for once, I didn't put up a fight. I just don't have the energy this week.
    "Okay. I'm walking up to my advisor's office. I will give you a call tonight."
    "Okay, sweetheart. Have a good day. I'll talk to you tonight."

    It takes about an hour for me to finish up on campus. I had forgot to fill out a few forms, and with everything that happened with my grandmother, I completely forgot to pick up my cap and gown. I slide into the driver's seat and head back to the apartment. I dial Eli's number before taking off, and he answers after the first ring.
    "What's up, bro?"
    "Do you ever answer like a normal person?" I ask.
    "Not when I see your ugly mug on the screen," he says chuckling.
    "Shit just got real. I just picked up my cap and gown."
    "Same here. I can't believe we're finally done. I've been packing up my apartment. I leave for New York in three weeks."
    "That's nuts. So are you staying at your parents’ place out there?"
    Eli's parents are stupid rich. They have a huge penthouse in New York. Let's not forget their properties in Paris, London, Italy, and the one they just got in Hawaii. His father is in publishing. He runs one of the largest publishing houses in Los Angeles; the larger one is in New York. He was groomed to be his father's successor from the time he learned to read.
    "Yeah." He sounds distracted. Talking about his family, his dad, in particular, always seems to be a sore subject.
    "Hey, I don't want to keep you. I was just calling because my mom wants to make reservations for dinner after my graduation ceremony. You're still coming, right?"
    "Umm . . .” He pauses briefly. "I planned on it."
    "Why do I feel a