He shrugged. “It’s okay. I take extra English classes, and I’m never without my camera. I get my fix, and I’ll have a good career when I’m done.”
“And you’ll be miserable every day of your life. How is that okay?” Even with my problems, I was trying my best to push past them and make myself happy somehow.
“Look at you all ferocious and shit. You’re like a wild beast. I like it.” He growled into my neck, sending goose bumps across my flesh.
I shied away from him. “Don’t make jokes. And I’m the only one who gets to growl. Grrr.” I poked him in the side.
He flinched and covered his ribs. “I’m not making jokes. I’m seriously scared you might bite me.”
“I don’t bite. Only on Tuesdays,” I teased, finally making light of the situation.
“Damn it!” He threw his hands down. “I missed it by one day!”
I could tell he was trying to brush off the topic, and I didn’t want to push him, so I dropped it . . . for now. “We’re not done with this conversation. Not by a long shot. But this place is too relaxing to talk about something so frustrating.”
“Good. Thank you.” He took my hand and kissed my knuckles before lacing our fingers and placing them on his outstretched legs. My body unconsciously rested its head on his shoulder and leaned into him. I felt his head fall on top of my own and, like pieces of a puzzle, we sat in silence for a few minutes. The only movement was the tiny circles he was drawing on the back of my hand with his thumb.
What’s happening? Look at yourself, lying under a tree with this guy cozying it up. Seriously?
What was I doing?
I pulled my hand away, scrambling to my feet, causing his body to fall into the spot I’d just vacated. He looked as if I’d just thrown a bucket of cold water over him.
“I should get back. Jace’ll worry if he comes to my apartment and I’m not there.”
“Wait.” He was righting himself, but I had already turned and was rushing away. I heard him get to his feet and start after me. “Angel, please!”
I stopped in my tracks. My head dropped and my shoulders sagged forward. I turned to face him, but I didn’t look him in the eye. I couldn’t.
“Have dinner with me.”
No, Eva. NO!
“I can’t, I have plans.” My feet worked on their own, backing up, making a futile attempt to escape.
Walk away from the model!
Shhhh.
I’m fucking answering myself now. Awesome.
“Lunch, then? Please?” He sounded desperate.
“I, um . . .”
He took advantage of my hesitation and closed the gap between us in one large step. Electricity bolted through me at his touch, forcing my eyes to meet his, instantly clouding me in the depths of his stare.
My legs stopped the pretense of trying to flee.
“Please.” His eyes were imploring. It was as if he was staring straight into my soul, trying to will me to do what he wanted.
Well, hell.
“Okay,” I murmured.
His mouth slowly turned into the biggest Cheshire cat grin I’d ever seen. “Come on.” He held onto my hand like it was his lifeline and he was scared I would evaporate.
“How do you keep talking me into these things?” I asked, still stunned at the turn of events.
He shrugged. “Because, you love me. You just don’t know it yet.” And there was that dimple again.
Fuck.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
“It’s me. Open the door.”
At the sound of the familiar, albeit angry, voice, I pulled back the door. Jace stood in my entryway, foot tapping, arms crossed over his chest, and a scowl on his face.
“Come in before you scare the neighbors, psycho.” I stepped aside as he stomped past, nose high in the air. He turned on his heel, and I had to stop short to avoid crashing into him.
“What’s up your ass?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“What the hell is going on, Angel?” He made the word sound filthy. “You want to explain to me what that episode was all about today? How do you expect me to protect you if you hide things from me? And while we’re on the topic, why are you hiding things from me?”
This degree of mad had never been directed at me before. “Calm down. I wasn’t hiding anything.” Not really. “There was nothing to tell. He’s the guy who helped me that day at the frat party, remember?” The super hot, model sexy one. “I saw him again yesterday in the cafeteria, and he’s in my English class. That’s it.” And suddenly we’re BFFs, and my world has turned topsy turvy. No big.
“That’s it?” he asked suspiciously.
“That’s it.” I crossed my arms over my chest and nodded.
He narrowed his eyes at me. “You’re fucking lying. It’s all over your face. Did you forget who you’re talking to? Hello, Mcfly.” He knocked on my head. “You’re talking to me.” He pointed a finger at himself. “Jace. You might as well be trying to fool your own self. Not possible, sweetheart. Now spill it before I physically beat it out of you. I saw the way you looked at that boy.”
I threw my hands down in frustration. “Okay, okay. Just chill out. Geez, you’re like an animal right now. What’s gotten into you?”