“Actually Candace,” he lowers his voice. “I was wondering if you could do me a huge favor.”
She perks up. “If I can, you know I’d do anything for a Cove Knight. What do you need?”
“I’m helping Bex find a place in town, but you know how hard it is to find accommodation in Star Cove once the fall semester begins. Our dorm isn’t ideal. No girl would want to live with four undomesticated bachelors.”
Candace giggles, slapping Luke’s forearm. “Oh, come on, Luke. You aren’t a bachelor. As for the others, I could think of worse potential roommates than Connor, Jamie, and Keene.”
Her eyes shine with something akin to envy as she looks at me with renewed interest. Luke did say that she’s a puck bunny, so living with four hockey players must be her dream come true.
If those hockey players hadn’t made it crystal clear that they don’t want you.
I take the last sip of my drink in the hope the cocktail will help me silence the obnoxious voice in my head.
“Like I said,” Luke squeezes me closer to his side, bringing my attention back to the conversation with the Zeta president. “Our living situation isn’t ideal for a girl.”
Candace looks at us from over the rim of her martini glass, as she finishes her own cocktail. “And how could I be of help to you?”
My brother goes in for the kill. “I was hoping you might have some room here, at the Zeta house. It would be just temporary until we can find something in town.”
I know Luke’s hopes are about to be crushed when Candace’s smile turns into a flat line.
“Bex,” she asks me, ignoring Luke for the first time since she welcomed us to the party. “Were you a Zeta in Bridgeport?”
I know where this is going. “No. I briefly thought about rushing, but I got sucked into the whirlwind of classes and I never got around to it.”
Her expression turns from unsure to apologetic. “Then I don’t think we can. You don’t go to school here and you don’t belong to a different chapter…”
Luke intervenes again. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I was hoping you could do me a solid and let Bex stay for a month or two.”
Candace shakes her head. “A month or two? Luke, I could probably swing a couple of nights, but that’s highly irregular.”
Luke sighs. “I know. I’m sorry. Forget I asked. We’ll find another way.”
The Zeta president’s expression softens. “It would be different if Bex worked for our sorority. That could justify offering her a room in the house.”
“Yes,” Luke beams. “Bex is looking for a job, too. Do you have any position open?”
Candace sighs. “Not quite. Look, this is a long shot, but we’re opening a new independent art center for the students who want to express their creativity. You know, as a way to relieve the stress of busy and demanding course loads. It would be open to all students, but it would cater especially to those who don’t have creative majors. We’re going to need a few people to manage the place, assist users, keep art supplies stocked up and the different spaces organized. Stuff like that.”
Luke nods. “I’m sure Bex could do all that, right, sis?”
“I—I guess I could.” I stutter.
The truth is that I’ve never really had a job. My dad provided for me and demanded I keep my focus on academics and dance, especially after he foundedPure Shine.
Candace ignores my uncertainty. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The center won’t be solely sponsored by Zeta Theta Beta. It’s a Greek Council project. Each participating house can put forward one name to work at the center, so I can’t be the only one making this decision. I’ll have to have my sisters’ backing.”
Luke’s smile doesn’t falter. “Is Gamma Delta Tau involved? Maybe Bex could get two endorsements.”
The Zeta president giggles again. “Unfortunately not. You guys don’t seem very interested in sponsoring the arts. But your boyfriend is the Gamma treasurer. You should know you’re doing a Big Brother project to get kids involved in sports.”
Luke blushes, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry, I didn’t know. You know I didn’t run for any government seat. Being team captain can be a full-time job and Coach Harrison expects full commitment and a strong leadership. If one of the guys even looks like he’s thinking about stepping out of line, he wants me to know and to step in.”
Candace nods. “Yeah, Coach Harrison is a tough guy. The previous coach wasn’t that strict. He would let us visit the locker room after practice to bring treats and boost the team’s morale. Harrison runs a tight ship.”
“Yeah,” Luke agrees. “And after the problems he had with some of his players in the past couple of years, he watches us like a hawk. And I’m his eyes and ears in the locker room and in the Gamma house.”
The last statement comes out like a groan, but the Zeta president looks amused.
