«I worked several jobs,» I said quietly, «whatever was needed.»
«How charming,» she said, and turned back to Veronica to discuss some restaurant I’d never heard of.
I stood there for another twenty minutes, invisible in my discount dress while Brandon talked and laughed with people who belonged to a world I couldn’t enter. Finally, I touched his arm again.
«Brandon, I’m going to head home. I have a shift at the diner tonight.»
He frowned. «Tonight? It’s my graduation day.»
«I know, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t get anyone to cover and we need the money.»
«We need the money,» he repeated, but his tone was strange. «Grace, I’m about to start making six figures. Do you really need to keep waitressing?»
I stared at him. Six years of three jobs, six years of four hours of sleep, six years of sacrificing everything. And he was asking if I really needed to work.
«Yes,» I said, keeping my voice steady. «Until your first paycheck clears and we know we’re stable, yes, I need to work.»
He sighed like I was being difficult. «Fine, I’ll probably be out late anyway. Veronica invited a bunch of us to some celebration dinner.»
«Veronica invited you?»