Page 46 of Stone Cold Touch

Her eyes widened. “I promised you and Zayne that I wouldn’t say anything and I won’t,” she insisted, her eyes as blue and bright as Zayne’s. “No one even thinks you or...what is it called?”

“Bambi,” I said. “I didn’t name her that, by the way.”

Her brows knitted. “No one thinks you or Bambi had a thing to do with that.”

“That’s good to know.” My gaze fixed on the closed door. This was really...awkward. I was half-tempted to go find Jasmine and let her daughter chew on my toe. “Is Zayne still with Abbot?”

“Yeah. All the males are piled into the room together. No one really knows how to handle the church people without making it worse, but... I don’t think that’s what Zayne’s most concerned with.”

“No?” I asked.

She shook her head when I looked at her. “He’s not really happy about... Roth being at your school. Neither is Abbot.”

“Obviously.” I sighed, unfolding my legs. My feet didn’t even touch the floor. I was a troll sitting next to her. “He’s a demon, so of course they’re pissed.”

“I doubt that’s the only reason Zayne’s not happy about Roth being at school with you.”

I frowned. “What other reason could there be?”

Her brows rose as she stared at me. “You really don’t know?” When I shook my head, she chuckled softly. There was a sad tinge to the sound. “Sometimes, Layla, you are so unaware that I want to pull your hair out.”

I choked on a laugh. “What?”

Danika didn’t answer immediately and then took a deep breath. “Okay. Let’s be real with one another. You don’t like me.”

My mouth opened and I felt my cheeks heat. I was about to deny it, but the look she sent me said there was no reason to. “Well...this is really awkward.”

“Yep.” She nodded, slim shoulders rising. “Everyone in the clan—both our clans—expects Zayne and me to mate, and I wouldn’t turn down that offer. I think you know that I...like Zayne.”

“I’d saylikewasn’t a strong enough word.”

She smiled at that. “He’s...well, you know what he is. I also know that you like him andlikeprobably isn’t a strong enough word for you either.”

I didn’t say anything, because this was a conversation I really wanted no part of.

“Anyway, since I’m going to be here for a while, I wanted to clear the air between us. I like you, Layla.” She shrugged. “I hope we can be friends, and I don’t want you to worry about me and Zayne.”

Part of me wanted to say that I wasn’t, but, apparently, I was as transparent as a window. Taking a deep breath, I decided I needed to woman up. “I know I haven’t always been...uh, welcoming to you and you’ve been nothing but nice to me. And I’m sorry for that.” Wow. That was probably the most mature string of words I’d ever said to Danika. I deserved a hand-size cookie. “I’ve accepted that you and Zayne will end up together.” Andthosewords were a bitter pill, but one I needed to swallow. “You guys are perfect for one another. Both of you are gorgeous and you’re really nice and smart. And I know Zayne—”

“Stop,” she said, holding up a hand. “Zayne does like me and I agree. We’d be perfect together, but that’s not ever going to happen.”

I stared at her, confused. “Why not?”

“Because he doesn’t want me. He’s not in love with me and it’s obvious to everyone but you,” she said, and her gaze lowered. Thick lashes hid her eyes. “Zayne wantsyou.And he’s in love withyou.”

13

I was starting to regret ever letting Danika near my arm with a needle—clearly there was a good chance she was on crack.

Zayne wanted me? He loved me? Sure, I knew that Zayne cared deeply for me, butinlove with me? That was a whole different ballpark.

I couldn’t believe that, not when there were so many reasons why he wouldn’t be in love with me—couldn’t be. Besides the fact that everyone in his clan expected Zayne to mate with Danika or another suitable Warden to produce little gargoyle babies, he couldn’t even kiss me. Yeah, that didn’t mean he couldn’t get close to me and we...couldn’t dootherthings, but it was too dangerous.

Thinking about those things that didn’t involve our lips touching kept me up most of Saturday night. Even with my limited experience when it came to those otherthings,my vast imagination was giving me lots of ideas. Ideas that involved hands and fingers and other body parts...

Oh dear.

I flopped onto my stomach and groaned into my pillow. I hadn’t seen much of Zayne throughout the day and it might’ve been because I’d been avoiding him, but after what Danika said—and even though I really didn’t believe her—there was a good chance I’d start giggling like a hyena if left alone with him.

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