Page 42 of Broken Princess

Noel is waiting for me at the end of the meeting. He pulls me into a hug when I get to the front of the auditorium. We walk away chatting about the upcoming trip, and I thank him again for mentioning it. Even if Logan is going, I won’t let that ruin my plans. Speaking of Logan, he’s already at the cafe when we arrive. I slip into a booth on the opposite side of the room while Noel goes to get our orders.

Sighing, I ignore the chime on my phone. I know who it is, and I don’t want to deal with him right now. This is exactly how things started the last time. He was a jerk and then flipped everything on its head and started being nice to me. All this positive attention only means he wants one thing.Sex, and I’m not giving it to him. The alert sounds again and I make the mistake of looking up. Logan’s staring at me. The heat in his gaze so palpable that it takes my breath away.

This time when the alert goes off, I look.

Give me one reason why I shouldn’t come to your room and slip into bed with you tonight to finish what we started

Because you’re not invited

That’s what your brain says, but does your body agree?

It does not agree. I feel a pull towards him, even though I know this is all a game. I’d buried this attraction to him below layers of hurt over the winter break, but I opened it back up that night in his studio.

Pepper says to embrace my weakness. I know I’m too nice, too sweet, and still too innocent to wade through these waters without a life jacket, and if I let my guard down, Logan’s going to swallow me whole. Drumming my fingers on the table, I try to think of way I can use this situation to my advantage.

I’ve already seen that there’s no limit to how far he’ll go to get what he wants, but he must have a breaking point. How far amIwilling to go to find out what it is? An idea skirts the fringes of my mind. It’s risky, but can I do it?

Noel sits my drink on the table and takes the seat across from me. I chance another look at Logan. His eyebrows are pulled in a straight line, and he’s glaring at us. I don’t think he’s hearing anything his friends are saying. Noel gets to him in a way most guys don’t. I noticed that last semester, and I’m using it now. That parts easy. The rest of the plan that’s loosely coming together in my head is a gamble.You didn’t start this to lose. All in, Jordanna.

Exitus Acta Probat.The result justifies the deed. That’s truly the BP’s motto. Seeping from their pores as they go through life, showing time and again they don’t give a fuck about anyone else. It’s time for me to embrace that mindset as my own.

The chartered buses are like a home on wheels. They remind me of tour buses with a kitchen, sleeping area, and television in the back. We have two planned stops on the road. It’ll take about five hours to get to New York City, but at least everyone will be comfortable during the ride. We leave campus at five in the morning and most of the students on my bus get in the bunks. Some of them get in one bunk, together. Two people is a lot. Three has to look like a human game of Jenga. I’m sitting by the window, listening to music while I journal.

Logan travels to the city whenever he wants, so I was hoping he’d change his mind about this trip, but he was on the quad at quarter to the hour just like everyone else. He’s on a different bus so I’m not being forced to share such close quarters with him. I’d have to lock myself in the bathroom, just to get some peace.

I told Pepper this trip is about more than the museum or other exhibits we’re scheduled to see. I have a lead on the compact that I want to follow up on. I found an article about a shop, an hour outside of the city that’s been family owned and operated for almost a hundred years. I’m hoping they might have some information on other jewelers in the area from the early nineteen hundreds.

She was so excited about my planned detour; she rented me a car and driver, and insists it’s mine to keep for the weekend. I appreciate the car. It will save me time and money on the commute, but I plan to reimburse her for it. She’s already done so much paying the difference in my tuition and providing me with a living stipend. This goes way past being benevolent.

Our first stop is our hotel to store our luggage, and after a quick lunch, we’re off to the museum. I’m in the back of the group, taking my time to study the portraits and sculptures. Stopping occasionally to take pictures.

As we travel down a narrow corridor with dim lighting, I think back to the last time I was in a museum. I stop in front of a gold leafed painting. The depth created by the colors and shadows gives it a three dimensional look, which beckons me to touch it. My gaze lands on Logan when I turn to join the group. He’s staring at me with a cryptic look on his face. Is he remembering our museum trip too? Or is it the weekend we spent at the Vale before I learned the truth?

Beauty mixed with pain. That’s the impression I have of the city now, but I’m determined to change that because this has always been my dream city to live in. I won’t let him take that away from me, too.

When we get back to the hotel, I’m one of the last people to get my room key. I’m sharing a room with a freshman who’s holding onto one of those thick tourist books and three brochures like lifelines. They’ll probably come in handy tomorrow when we have some free time to explore on our own.

Logan’s standing on the other end of the guest services desk. I hear someone ask what’s taking so long to get his key. I’m getting ready to tune out the conversation when he mentions the staff is still cleaning his room, since he’s upgraded to a single.

I finish at the desk, just as four chicks walk up, boldly asking what room he’s in and what time they should show up. I force my feet to walk past him, an amused smirk on my face, letting him know I don’t give a shit how he answers.

Ditching my friends, after the guided tour part of are itinerary was over, was harder than I thought it would be. I stuck around long enough to eat lunch, then told them I needed to run an errand for my mother. I watched their eyes glaze over when I mentioned the word antiquing and had the driver meet me a few blocks away, so they wouldn’t get suspicious.

During the drive, I jot down what I saw today on the tours and making notes about some of the students. Noel and Sterling occupy most of today’s entry, because it’s the first time I’ve seen them outside of school or a formal event. They have that same heir of authority that Logan does. They interact with the staff like they’re used to giving orders, and while most of the students on the trip are trying to get closer to Logan, I can see there’s a faction that’s team Noel.

“We’re nearly there, miss.” The driver says, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror.

“Thanks.”

I look out the window as we pull off the highway. Talk about a hidden gem. Drive too fast down the highway, and you’ll miss the exit. Once you get off the ramp, there are a series of signs directing you to food, lodging and gas on the right. The town is eight more miles to the left. We have to drive through what I can only describe as a dirt road paved straight through a forest to reach it.

The driver drops me in front of the store and goes to find somewhere to park. A tiny chime dings overhead as I step through the door of Grenier Jewelers. Directly to my right and left are display cases. The shop is around the size of one of those jewelry stores you find at a mall, but without that commercially feel.

A voice calls out from the back that they’ll be right with me, so I take time to look around. Exquisite. That’s the thought I have when I peer into the first display case I pass and see the aquamarine, diamond accented engagement ring on an 18k white band. I snap a picture, knowing I’ll never see anything like this again.

“That’s one of my favorite pieces.”

I turn towards the customer service counter. The woman standing there is around my mother’s age. She’s wearing a cashmere turtleneck and skinny jeans.

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