“I wish. Back then, I saved money and came on vacation. My godmother has a friend with an apartment in Paris, so I didn’t have to pay for lodging. Then I went back to the States and planned my permanent move to study here, but honestly? I’m pretty discouraged. I’ve learned nothing in college so far and I’m getting poorer by the minute.”
“As I said, I’m not a professional, but I love jewelry, and I think you have more than enough talent.”
“Thank you. I really needed to hear that. Now . . .how about we enjoy the party a little?”
“I was about to leave. The girl I planned to meet ditched me. My first university party, and I feel like a fish out of water.”
“How about we walk around and check it out? If we don’t like it, we leave right after.”
“All right.”
Chapter 11
After an hour inside the party, despite the insanely loud music and all the cigarette smoke, I’m actually having fun.
Josephine is funny in a unique, effortless way, and honestly, I think it was pure luck that Linda ditched me. If I’m being completely honest, we have absolutely nothing in common, and feeling lonely was what pushed me to accept her invitation in the first place.
“So? What do you think?” Josephine asks.
“It’s nice.”
“When you’ve got nothing else to do, it can be fun, as long as you don’t go up to the second floor.”
“Why not?”
“Let’s just say most people here don’t give much importance to privacy when it comes to having sex. So if you don’t want to risk bumping into naked bodies, stay on the first floor. Depending on the fraternity, not even the first floor is safe.”
“My guardian warned me about that.”
She’s about to drink her soda, but after what I say, she chokes, spraying it everywhere.
“Wow, that was not elegant, girl,” I tease.
“I actually choked. Guardian? How old are you?”
“Twenty-one. And he’s not a legal guardian. Or rather, he’s not a guardian in the legal system, but he was designated by my brother which, in my country, basically means the law.”
“Sheik Kaled assigned you a guardian? Why?”
“He’s afraid I’ll be alone in London and end up doing something stupid.”
“And would he be right?”
We’re in a quieter part of the house, where the music isn’t as deafening and we can talk.
I set my soda bottle on the small table behind me while I think about her question.
I sigh before answering. “When I planned to study in the UK, I thought it would be paradise, but honestly? I’ve been feeling really lonely. I haven’t told anyone, not even my best friend, because she’d worry. But reality is so different from the dream I had.”
“Are you regretting coming?”
“No. I love London. The city is so beautiful and full of life! The problem is that it hasn’t been as fun as I imagined. So yes, I get why my brother fears I’ll end up doing something stupid. I’m afraid of that, too.”
“This man who’s your guardian—is he at least a decent guy?”
“Man?” I ask, thinking of Rodrick’s rugged face and intense blue eyes. “He’s not a man; he’s a . . .breathtaking man. He’s one of my brother’s friends.”
“One ofthose guys?” she says, as if trying to recall something. “What’s his name?”