Page 41 of Saint

“Come on, we watched that last month.”

“It was good.” Mila glares at Teal, tossing her phone to the couch, which is when Patience steps in.

“How about we let someone else pick tonight?” Patience picks up Mila’s phone and tries to hand it to me.

But I shake my head. “No thanks.”

I’ve got enough on my mind right now. I don’t care what’s on the screen as long as it takes my thoughts away from the mind tricks Saint’s continually playing with me.

“Fine.” Patience rolls her eyes, taking the phone and skimming through it. “I’ll pick. But only because I’m not going to listen to you three all night long.”

Mila glares at Patience’s comment as a triumphant smile ticks up in the corner of Teal’s mouth.

“I swear.” Patience ignores them both, continuing to scroll. “I don’t know what’s more stressful, mediating my friends or that psychology test today.”

“How’d you feel about it?” I ask, trying to change the subject and keep the peace in the room.

She shrugs. “Okay, I guess. But not great. You?”

“Fine.”

I’m downplaying it.Criminal Motiveswas one of my favorite chapters, and I found myself studying it for fun. Especially given Saint’s sudden and unexpected role in my life. Every chapter, every test—I find myself searching for answers as to why Saint is the way he is.

“You’re a shoo-in for the summer internship.” Patience’s shoulders deflate. “It’s going to take a miracle for me to squeak in at this rate.”

“You’ll make it happen.”

At least, I hope so. There’s no chance I can afford a summer in LA by myself without a roommate. Even if I get a job, the rent alone will drain every cent I’ve saved.

My scholarship pays for my dorm room, my classes, and my books at Briar. But it won’t cover the livingexpenses of a voluntary internship with Professor Gray at UCLA. At least if Patience goes with me, we can split the cost, and there’s a chance I can get a job at a coffee shop to cover food and rent.

I’ll do anything to pursue my passion. And that’s what this internship would be. Spending the summer studying criminal psychology under one of the most brilliant minds on the subject.

“Well, I hope you’re right,” Patience says, pausing on a movie. “Found one.”

“Scream, really?” Mila rolls her eyes, burying herself in the blanket.

Usually, this movie would be right up my alley. But as Patience presses play and hands Mila her phone, my stomach sinks. AllScreamdoes is make my mind wander to the one person I’d rather not think about right now.

“Don’t pretend you don’t like this one. It’s a classic. Besides, it’s a middle ground. Not romantic and cheesy, but not some boring think piece.” Patience looks from Mila to Teal. “Right?”

Teal shrugs distracted by whatever she’s doing on her phone.

“Not you too.” I nudge her shoulder, looking from where Teal is scrolling through her phone to where Mila’s typing a text. “This is supposed to be girls’ night.”

“Just let me send this really quick.” Mila hits send. “Done.”

“Let me guess… Marco?” Teal lifts an eyebrow up at her, and Patience’s eyes go wide.

“Please tell me she’s joking.”

Mila tucks her phone away. “I told you, we’re friends.”

“You did shots with him all night at the party,” Patience says. “And when he grabbed your—”

“Okay.” Mila shoves Patience’s shoulder and cuts her off.

“Wait, what did I miss?”