Working For It

By Cass Alexander

College senior Jen Dixon wants one thing out of life. To get the hell out of the Midwest. She has big plans for her future and nothing will get in her way. Not her crazy mother, not her ex, not even the sexy object of her desires, Scott Kalite. She’s not interested in being tied down in any way other than in the literal sense.

Scott’s been waiting three years to make his move. In his mind, Jen’s already his and always has been. Now he just has to convince her that he’s right.

Working For It is Book 2 of The Persimmon Series, but it can be read as a standalone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cass Alexander
• Release date: Feb 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370877638

Cass Alexander

Cass Alexander is the pen name of a Southern born and bred public school teacher. Her brother, who insists she address him as, The Prince of Darkness, gave her the nom de plume after warning her that her book’s content may scar her sons for life. She’s a connoisseur of fine humor, hilarious insults, and all things chocolate, preferably dark (like her humor). Oh, and wine. Let’s not forget the wine. Cass also enjoys running. It’s become crucial to her survival, due to her consumption of wine and chocolate. Cass’s mission in life is to spread the love and the laughter, goodness knows it’s needed. It’s why she wrote The Persimmon Series. She and her family now reside in the Midwest, where hardly anyone other than Cass says the words, y’all and holler. That is all. For now.

Book preview

Chapter 2

Jen

Scott takes me to eat at Denny’s since it’s the only place open. Surprisingly, there are a couple of other students in the eatery. I’m guessing they haven’t gone to bed yet.

We sit in a booth and Scott orders coffee for both of us. How very presumptive of him. It makes me want to aggravate him. And since I always do what I want …

And what if I didn’t want coffee?

You always want coffee. You carried it with you to every morning class you had last year.

That was not the reaction I expected. I cross my arms and frown.

And how could you possibly know that?

I had class in the same building. I walked behind you almost every day. And we had one class together first semester.

Creeper, I tease, trying to hide my surprise that he paid such close attention to my coffee habit. My tummy flutters at the thought of being a point of interest to Scott Kalite.

Scott chuckles and so do I. I like teasing him because he’s usually quite serious. He gets all philosophical and insightful and it makes me nuts.

How can someone stay so collected and rational all the freaking time? Even I get a case of the cray-crays here and there. And I’m the most collected person I know. And perhaps the most egotistical.

Scott’s like a living representation of Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet, bestowing wisdom everywhere he goes. He’s so good and honest and genuine. And when I’m around him, I feel like I’m deficient. It annoys the ever-living hell out of me.

I think that’s why I’m always on my guard with him. That and he seems to be able to access my triggers so easily. Hmmm. That sounds a little naughty. I’m relatively sure I’d let him touch my trigger, were he so inclined.

I don’t want him to think any less of me, which is asinine. I’m a good person. Mostly. Scott’s like this wise, old soul that everyone listens to. He even speaks like an old man.

I can’t recall him using slang in my presence. I suddenly realize that I very badly want his approval, which is unlike me. I almost feel like a child in his presence. It’s bizarre and I don’t like it.

Past experience with him has taught me that he has no qualms calling me out. I can usually handle the opposite sex pretty easily. So why do I become a totally defiant spaz every time I see him? Is it because I feel like I’m disappointing him and I don’t want to disappoint him?

Something is seriously wrong with me. I must be developing a split personality, one for the general male population, and one for Scott Kalite.

We look over the menu and place our orders with the waitress. Scott orders oatmeal and some sort of healthy egg white omelet. Typical.

I’m suddenly starving, so I get eggs, bacon, toast, and hash browns. I almost ordered pancakes, but there’s no need to display my gluttonous side in front of Mr. Perfect.

So what happened last night? I’m a little worried about Rebecca.

Scott raises his gaze to meet mine and I know I’m under his microscope. I’m afraid he’s going to divert this conversation back to me and what I did last night. So not going to let that happen.

With Rebecca and Evan? I prompt. Am I going to have to pull it out of him?

I understood the question, Jennifer.

Then why didn’t you answer?

His eyes narrow and he leans forward on his elbows. It’s poor manners to put your elbows on the table. Ha! Silent victory is mine!

Why are you goading me?

Because it’s easy.

Oops. That one just flew past the filter. Didn’t even hesitate.

Scott smiles and it does things to me. Damnit. This is not what I need today. I do not need Scott Kalite doing things to me today. Yes, you do, girl. Again, my mind turns naughty. I need to get a handle on my Scott-a-philia.

Well, then. Perhaps I should try harder to make you work for it.

My mouth opens then closes. It opens again and nothing comes out. If he were the type to flirt, I might think he meant the double entendre. But Scott’s never flirted with me. Ever.

Work for what? I practically croak.

A reaction, of course.

We stare at each other for a moment. I try to come up with something to say but I draw a blank. Again. Thankfully, the waitress returns and tops off our coffees, interrupting the awkward moment.

I add a little sugar and creamer and take a sip. I close my eyes and relish the flavor. I seriously love coffee.

Mmmm, I groan.

When I open my eyes Scott’s are on my mouth. I lick my lips, assuming I have something on them. A corner of his mouth quirks up and my face heats.

I put my mug down on the saucer and cross my arms on the table. I almost pull them off, then decide not to. Yeah, yeah, Miss Manners, I know I’m a hypocrite.

He still hasn’t answered my question. Apparently, Scott needs me to remind him that he promised some information before I agreed to come here.

So, back to Rebecca and Evan. Is everything okay? Or do I need to kick someone’s ass?

Oh, I believe the ass in question was already kicked. Hard.

I frown and wait for him to say more.

Quite a few former graduates came to campus last night. We had a last-minute arrangement to meet here.

Yes, I saw all the extra cars parked in front of the house.

RJ Feldman was here.

I almost don’t need him to continue. RJ is a douchebag. He must have done something idiotic last night. How he got into that frat, I’ll never know.

Rebecca and Evan were making their way down the hall to Brock’s room. They passed Feldman and he reached out and grabbed her ass. He didn’t let go.

Dumbass, I say, shaking my head.

"Indeed. Evan was right behind Rebecca. He didn’t take it well, to say the least. Our calm, cool, and collected boy may have some berserker in his blood. It took three brothers to restrain