"Rayne..." Miranda said, head tilting in curiosity, "can Mommy see what you've made?" I hesitated, suddenly getting nervous. Then I nodded and stood aside. She leaned in slightly, her gaze moving slowly across the page. She didn't speak right away, and every second of silence made my stomach twist tighter. I waited for corrections. For critique. For neutrality. Instead, she straightened. "This," Miranda said calmly, "is excellent." I blinked. "It is?" "Yes." This is a spin-off to my first story Little Maid :) (Photo from pinterest/@emilynoellephoto)

"Relax," I murmured softly. My voice dropped without me even thinking about it, lower now, closer. "Is this okay?" Charlotte hesitated. I felt it in the way her shoulders shifted beneath the tension, the tiny pause before she answered. Her fingers tightened once more around the armrests. Then loosened slightly. "...Yes." The word came out quieter than before. Careful. Neither of us spoke. Then, after holding there for just a second too long, I leaned forward. Slowly-so slowly it almost felt deliberate enough to give her time to stop me, if she wanted to. The distance between us shrank inch by careful inch, my gaze flickering briefly to her lips before lifting again to her body posture, searching for any sign that I should pull back. But I didn't. And when the last trace of space between us finally disappeared, I kissed her. --- Audrey DuPont is used to the party life, smoking and drinking until the sun comes up, and throwing money without a second thought. But what happens when money can't save her? Charlotte Brown is the polar opposite of the head cheer captain. She's stoic, quiet, smart, and most of all, she isn't a trust fund kid like the rest. The only thing on her mind is graduating and making money. They both want something from each other, but as the thin line blurs between academics and attraction, they'll have to wonder: Is it really worth it?