Page 514 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 11
Mr. Halifax didn’t turn around to see her grinding against Eli. But I swear he was scowling.
I wiped up the rest of the mess.
He reached out and grabbed the napkins from my hand. “Get back to dancing. It’s your last homecoming. Enjoy it.”
I suddenly felt much more sober. Mylasthomecoming. At least at Empire High. I promised myself I’d stop wasting time. And wasn’t that all I was doing?
I wanted to unmask my kiss thief.
But there was something I wanted to do more right now. Dance with my boyfriend. I pressed my lips together. Fake boyfriend, I meant.
“Have you seen my boyfriend?” I asked.
I swear Mr. Halifax frowned again. “No, I haven’t seen your boyfriend.”
“Oh.” I had a sick feeling in my stomach. I’d wasted too much time. Jacob was probably off somewhere with Olivia. While I’d been dancing with a bunch of guys that probably weren’t my kiss thief. Knowing my luck...my kiss thief was the teacher right in front of me. And I wanted no part in that.
I mean, sure. Mr. Halifax was handsome... But Sophie was in love with him. And he was so off-limits. I did need to sniff him though. I started to lean in closer.
Mr. Halifax abruptly stood up. “Miss Hunter.” He put his hand out for me.
I grabbed his hand and he helped me to my feet. I wasn’t close enough to smell him. But I tried to memorize the feeling of his hand in mine.
“West,” my dad said.
I quickly dropped Mr. Halifax’s hand.
“Check the restrooms for more sodas,” my dad said.
“Sure thing.” Mr. Halifax nodded at me and walked off the dance floor.
My heart was hammering in my chest. Mr. Halifax nodded at me in such a knowing way. Almost like was saying “until next time.” Or maybe he was saying “follow me to the restroom.”
“Why was he touching you?” my dad asked, way too loudly.
“He wasn’t. He was helping me clean up the soda on the floor.”
“You were holding hands, Scarlett.”
“Dad, he was just helping me to my feet.”
My dad nodded. But he looked pissed. “Where is Jacob?” he asked. “It seems like you’ve danced with everyone in your grade but him.”
“I’m not sure where he is.”
“I’ll find him,” my dad said. “In the meantime, drink this.” He handed me a bottle of water before disappearing into the crowd.
I unscrewed the cap and took a big sip.Ew.I almost spit it out. I was pretty sure this was straight vodka.
Sophie abandoned her dance partner and joined me. “I don’t think I can deny it anymore.”
“What?!” I could barely hear her. The song suddenly seemed much louder than before.
“I think Mr. Halifax is in love with you!”
“No!” I yelled over the music. “Definitely not, Soph.”
She looked so defeated.
