Page 215 of Blood & Betrayals

“Don’t pretend you don’t enjoy spending time with them.”

Connor brushes his lips over mine. “I don’t enjoy spending time with them as much as I do with you.”

“Don’t tell Rafe that. He’ll get jealous,” I say, taking his hand.

Connor chuckles, and we start walking again. “Next year, I’ll have them come here for the whole holiday.”

“You will?”

“Yep! If you can’t come to Eden, I’ll bring Eden to you.” I grin, and Connor returns my smile. “You like that plan?”

“I like any plan that means I can spend more time with you.”

Connor’s phone pings, and he glances at it, pulling me to a stop. “Oh, shit. I forgot I was supposed to meet Rafe at home before the party.”

“He can’t meet you there?”

“I promised him we would build something for Luke’s Christmas gift, and we planned to do it tonight, while he’s out of the house.”

I pout but push to my toes to brush a kiss against his lips. “Don’t be long?”

“You bet I’ll be quick. Can’t have my girl taken by some mysterious stranger.”

His choice of words is a shock, but I keep the smile on my face, though I can feel the strain in it. Connor kisses me again before turning and jogging toward his house.

I stand alone in the dark with a horrendous knot of unease in my stomach.

85

Summer

Fuck, how does he do that? How does he know? Was he watching? Probably.

I shiver and hurry toward the party, following the dull beat of the bass through the darkness.

I frown at the message, considering how lonely that must be. Who am I kidding? Iknowhow lonely it is. It’s how I lived most of my life. Is that why I feel like he understands me? Is this our mutual experience?

We are back in the danger zone. I need to back out now.

Danger. Danger. Danger.

What the fuck does that mean?

I feel stupid the second I ask the question. Not only is it an obvious attempt to change the subject, but I am wearing a large, heavy coat over said outfit.

I worry my lower lip, considering. He probably saw the dress from my Nexus page. Alice and I took a myriad of photographs as we were getting ready, and my wall is now littered with images. He’s not wrong. It’s maroon and very short, but it’sdefinitely not the most risque thing I’ve ever worn, and I’m wearing over-the-knee boots, so it is still decent.

I scowl. Why am I so bothered by his opinion? Connor loves the dress, and that’s all that matters.

Irritated, I roll my eyes and lock my phone before walking into the house. I’m immediately hit with a wall of heat, the harsh beats of the music, and the smell of some pretty potent Dragon Root. I spot Alice across the room and push into the crowd, quickly lost to the party.

I stumble out the door, and the cold hits me, but my coat is nowhere to be found. For some reason, that is hilarious, and I laugh as Alice falls against me.

“Connor is going to be pisssssssssed,” Alice slurs as she grabs at me to stop me from falling.

The whole campus seems to be tipping, and that is funny as well. “Where is he?” I ask.

Alice takes a step ahead and ends up falling into a bush. I burst out laughing again and stumble over to help her up. I offer her my hand, but she blinks at it.

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