Page 162 of Forbidden Lessons

His gaze returns, his nostrils flaring as if I’ve made it worse somehow. But then he lays a hand over mine, squeezing me back.

“Is it really?”

I try to pull my hand away, frowning, but he captures my wrist, keeping me locked in place.

“Or are you just not used to getting nice things?”

He wants to talk about our relationship?

It just climbed over the barrier at Lookout Point wearing even shittier flip-flops than the ones I have on.

Fuck, that feels like an eternity ago.

But whatever I thought that night, it led me here, and here is a hell of a lot better than where I would have been.

Which would be dead.

Or in a coma.

Or, a paraplegic.

I mean, my life still sucks, but at least I have my health.

And someone who cares about me enough to give me nice things.

Movement catches my eye, and Bastian must spot Milo headed our way at the same time I do. He lets go of my hand, and I slip it into my lap, bowing my head as I fight a furious blush.

“You guys need anything else over here?” Milo asks. “Another beer?”

“No thanks.” Bastian gives him a small nod. “I should be getting back.”

“Cool,” Milo says, then smiles as he turns to me. “Nice to see you again, Haven.”

I peek at him through my lashes, nodding, and he frowns at me before shaking his head and walking away.

“He likes you.”

I throw Bastian a glare. “So?”

Bastian chuckles, tipping his head back to drain the last of his beer. “Christ, don’t sound so defensive. It was merely an observation.”

“I wasn’t being—“ I cut off when I hear how defensive I sound.

“I’ll walk you back,” Bastian says, standing.

He waits for me to unlock the Land Rover’s door and then holds it open for me as I get in. “Straight back to sorority house,” he says, lifting his eyebrows.

I’m about to tell him to go fuck himself when he adds, “See you later.”

“Later?”

“At the gala.” He curls his fingers over the top of the door, leaning against the edge.

“Oh. That.” I laugh as I shake my head. “I’m not going.”

There’s a bemused smile on his mouth. “I thought you girls couldn’t wait to put on your pretty dresses and parade around like—“ He cuts off, mouth tightening.

I swing my legs out of the car, leaning closer. “Were you going to say grown ups?”

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