monster. “How could you think Bryce would hurt me?”
Girls generally didn’t want to cozy up with scary guys, so there went any hope of getting her to warm up to me any time soon. Again, I told myself it was for the best. “I didn’t think anything. It was reflex. I only knew that if I didn’t act quickly, anything could happen.”
“Well, thanks for looking out for me.” Tessa glanced away, gnawing her lower lip nervously. Then she moved closer and whispered, “Everyone’s staring.”
A scan of the corridor revealed a gawking crowd. Students. Teachers. Even the janitor.
“We’d better get to class.” At that, she walked away. I followed, maintaining my distance, so I didn’t spook her again.
* * * *
After last class, she darted into the hallway before I had a chance to gather my books. By the time I caught up, Brad had cornered her. “What are you doing Saturday night?” he asked.
“Why?” She stepped back, baffled.
“Yeah, why do you want to know?” I moved next to Tessa and eyed Brad.
“Thinking she and I could go out.” He grinned and that pissed me off a little. I stared back and his smile faltered.
“Actually, I have to work that night. But apparently, my presence is required at Christina’s party tomorrow.” She glared at me. “I guess I’ll see you both there.”
Tessa planned to go. My immense relief at that news alarmed me. If I were smart, I’d skip the party and not put myself at her mercy. But I knew I’d go. She’d become an obsession and the more time I had with her, the more I wanted.
“We should get started. I’m scheduled for work tonight and, as it is, we have to quit early so I can get there on time.” Tessa spun around and headed toward the library.
“Sure.” I scowled at Brad, then caught up with Tessa. “Where do you work?”
“Delia’s Deli. But it’s not only deli stuff. They have other things too, like cappuccinos, espressos. I mostly do those. Flavio makes the food. Not sure why I’m babbling,” she muttered.
“Yeah, I’ve been to Delia’s. It’s the only thing open around here after ten. Great sandwiches,” I said. “You haven’t been working there long or you would’ve seen us come in.” There, I’d paved the way so when I showed up with my friends — that was inevitable — I could ogle her without her taking it personally and I wouldn’t look creepy.
Chapter Ten
Tessa
Friday morning. Bleh. In a few hours, I’d be tackled by Nadia and Corinne, forced to wear something objectionable and be whisked away to a party I didn’t want to go to.
My normal enthusiasm to leave the house eluded me as I slipped my sandwich in a baggie, then placed it in my backpack by the door.
Honk! Honk!
I peeked through the living room window to see who honked. A convertible yellow Viper idled in our driveway. What the hell was Hayden doing at my house? I released the curtain and darted outside. As soon as he saw me, he killed the engine and got out.
“What’s going on?” I cut across the lawn.
“Thought it might be more efficient to drive to school together.”
I glanced around to see if Brad and Skyler were around and wondered if the three of them were playing a joke on me. “It’s more efficient for you to drive out of your way to the slums rather than go straight to school?”
Hayden chuckled and quickly surveyed the nearby houses. “This is hardly the slums. Your parents do okay.”
I rested a fist on my hip, brows raised.
“I have to get to school early, so I don’t miss you when you get there. Rather than stand around, I may as well come straight here. Then I only have to keep track of you from the front door to the driveway.”
“How did you know my address?”
“I asked around.” He shrugged, a smile teasing his lips. “Why? Is it a secret?”
“Whatever. I’ll be back in a minute.” I shook my head and turned on my heel. His explanation didn’t make sense,
Girls generally didn’t want to cozy up with scary guys, so there went any hope of getting her to warm up to me any time soon. Again, I told myself it was for the best. “I didn’t think anything. It was reflex. I only knew that if I didn’t act quickly, anything could happen.”
“Well, thanks for looking out for me.” Tessa glanced away, gnawing her lower lip nervously. Then she moved closer and whispered, “Everyone’s staring.”
A scan of the corridor revealed a gawking crowd. Students. Teachers. Even the janitor.
“We’d better get to class.” At that, she walked away. I followed, maintaining my distance, so I didn’t spook her again.
* * * *
After last class, she darted into the hallway before I had a chance to gather my books. By the time I caught up, Brad had cornered her. “What are you doing Saturday night?” he asked.
“Why?” She stepped back, baffled.
“Yeah, why do you want to know?” I moved next to Tessa and eyed Brad.
“Thinking she and I could go out.” He grinned and that pissed me off a little. I stared back and his smile faltered.
“Actually, I have to work that night. But apparently, my presence is required at Christina’s party tomorrow.” She glared at me. “I guess I’ll see you both there.”
Tessa planned to go. My immense relief at that news alarmed me. If I were smart, I’d skip the party and not put myself at her mercy. But I knew I’d go. She’d become an obsession and the more time I had with her, the more I wanted.
“We should get started. I’m scheduled for work tonight and, as it is, we have to quit early so I can get there on time.” Tessa spun around and headed toward the library.
“Sure.” I scowled at Brad, then caught up with Tessa. “Where do you work?”
“Delia’s Deli. But it’s not only deli stuff. They have other things too, like cappuccinos, espressos. I mostly do those. Flavio makes the food. Not sure why I’m babbling,” she muttered.
“Yeah, I’ve been to Delia’s. It’s the only thing open around here after ten. Great sandwiches,” I said. “You haven’t been working there long or you would’ve seen us come in.” There, I’d paved the way so when I showed up with my friends — that was inevitable — I could ogle her without her taking it personally and I wouldn’t look creepy.
Chapter Ten
Tessa
Friday morning. Bleh. In a few hours, I’d be tackled by Nadia and Corinne, forced to wear something objectionable and be whisked away to a party I didn’t want to go to.
My normal enthusiasm to leave the house eluded me as I slipped my sandwich in a baggie, then placed it in my backpack by the door.
Honk! Honk!
I peeked through the living room window to see who honked. A convertible yellow Viper idled in our driveway. What the hell was Hayden doing at my house? I released the curtain and darted outside. As soon as he saw me, he killed the engine and got out.
“What’s going on?” I cut across the lawn.
“Thought it might be more efficient to drive to school together.”
I glanced around to see if Brad and Skyler were around and wondered if the three of them were playing a joke on me. “It’s more efficient for you to drive out of your way to the slums rather than go straight to school?”
Hayden chuckled and quickly surveyed the nearby houses. “This is hardly the slums. Your parents do okay.”
I rested a fist on my hip, brows raised.
“I have to get to school early, so I don’t miss you when you get there. Rather than stand around, I may as well come straight here. Then I only have to keep track of you from the front door to the driveway.”
“How did you know my address?”
“I asked around.” He shrugged, a smile teasing his lips. “Why? Is it a secret?”
“Whatever. I’ll be back in a minute.” I shook my head and turned on my heel. His explanation didn’t make sense,
Similar Books
