Page 120 of Dare To Take

He nods slowly. “It would definitely explain why she looks so sick.” His gaze shifts away from me. “She was on her cell during class this morning. From the look on her face, she was arguing with someone.”

“Miles?”

“Maybe. I know he was texting her. I’ll ask him later.” A frown pulls his brows together, and I twist in my seat to see Arabella standing in the doorway.

Our gazes clash, and before I look away her lips curve up.

“Did she just smile at you?” Kellan’s voice is incredulous.

I turn back to face him. “Maybe it wasn’t meant for me.” Her smiling at me makes no fucking sense, not after our face-off this morning. She’d been crying when I walked out.

“Sure as fuck wasn’t meant for me. She was looking straight at you.”

“Nervous tic? I confronted her about our room this morning.”

“And how did that go?”

I shake my head. I don’t want to think about what happened. The way she didn’t deny she thought I was a monster who would force her to have sex with me. The pain of the memory is like a knife to my gut.

“I told her I was done with the games. I’m not playing anymore.”

“Not playing as in …” He lifts an eyebrow.

“She can do what the fuck she wants. I’m done.”

His eyes rove the room, and I know he’s looking for her. “Probably for the best. Someone was going to end up dead.”

“I think that’s what she wants.” My voice is soft. “I’m just not sure if she hates me or herself more.” My gaze searches her out again, and she smiles for a second time, a quick curve of lips before they drop again. “I don’t get it.”

“She’s on her cell again. I wonder who she’s talking to? Could it be the friend she talked about in Michigan?”

I shrug and pull the second mug of coffee toward me.

“She’s getting today’s pasta concoction. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen her eat in weeks. Now she’s hovering over the desserts. Jell-O, it is. Weird choice. Green. Not my favorite.” Kellan gives a running commentary as he watches Arabella. “Stopping now to check her cell again. Hot chocolate … no, she’s put that back. Orange juice.”

“Having fun?”

He pulls a face. “There’s something wrong with this picture, Eli. It’s bothering me. She’s checking her messages again. Texting something this time. Hmmm. She’s not happy with whatever she’s reading.”

“How can you tell? She’s looked miserable as fuck since I got back to school.”

“She’s shaking her head and saying no. I can see her lips moving.”

“You can lip read now?”

“It’s a useful skill to have. Her cell’s back on the tray and now she’s looking for an empty table.” His eyebrow hikes again. “She’s walking this way. No, wait. She’s changed her mind.”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“Because something about it doesn’t make sense. She’s on the move again. Her hands must be shaking. She’s going to drop that tray if she doesn’t steady her grip.” A shadow falls over our table, and Kellan tips his head up. “Hi, Bella. What can we do for you?”

I frown, and slowly turn my head. Arabella is standing beside our table. Her blue eyes are focused on me, but it’s like she’s staring right through me.

“What?” At the sound of my voice, she jumps and blinks.

The plates and silverware on her tray are rattling, and her grip is white knuckled on the edges of the tray.

“Do you want something?”

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