Page 298 of A University of Betrayal

Easy to talk like that. How could I accept someone who wanted to damnmissionizeme? And anyway, where would these dates lead? Emelylived forthe pack, and Ihatedit.

“Just look at it, the fact that she’s telling you about the pack... That shows that she feels comfortable with you and can open up. Don’t ruin it,workwith it.”

Was Bayla right? What if I had approached it the wrong way?

Emely was special. An unbreakable diamond lock. I just needed the key.

I looked at Bay, who was looking at me expectantly.

“Maybe it’s just the beard.”

“What?”

Bayla grinned at me and her hand shot up as she touched my chin, and lots of little sparks flashed across my skin and finally my stomach.

I froze... stared at her... and she jerked her hand back.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to say that this three-day beard doesn’t really suit you.”

As quickly as she had taken me by surprise, she had already made her way to the other two.

“Wait, so I should shave?” I called after her, embarrassed, feeling like an idiot. Maybe that’s exactly what I was. A damn idiot. Because at that very moment, I felt blind. As if there was something in front of me, an answer to all my questions, but I couldn’t access it.

“Wait. Your turn.”

Bayla turned around, her cheeks so red that it took my breath away for a moment.

“Are you okay? Are you cold? Is something wrong?” I asked, worried, and Bayla hastily shook her head.

“I’m fine.”

“You still have something to tell me.”

“What do you mean?”

I looked her straight in the eye. This time she wouldn’t run away.

“Yesterday at the cemetery, when you were talking to Julie. You wanted to tell her something that you hadn’t told anyone else yet.”

“Did I?”

Everything about her expression screamed out that she had.

“Your blush gives you away.”

“It does?” Bayla looked down and began to paw the ground. “I’d love to tell you, but I don’t know…”

“Come on, no secrets.”

I reached for her hand, and she immediately looked up at me, still red in the face.

Maybe I had asked too much of her. Was I intruding on her privacy a little too much?

“Best friends, remember?” I whispered, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

“All right,” she sighed, but then looked at my father and Mia.

They were far enough away, engrossed in a conversation that Mia and I were miles away from having.

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