Page 41 of Princess of Hawthorne Prep

Every so often, I notice him glance across the fire at Everly. I really don’t understand the issue between them. What I’ve noticed is that Duke deliberately goes out of his way to poke and prod at her. During the drive this afternoon, he was antagonistic and rude. She alternated between ignoring him and hissing like a pissed-off cat.

When his eyes narrow and muscles tense, I follow his line of sight and find Jacob Littleton talking with Everly. She flashes a smile as they flirt.

With a tilt of my head, I ask, “What’s your problem with her?”

His attention slides to me for a heartbeat before bouncing back to the auburn-haired girl. “There’s no problem. I just don’t like her.”

I roll my eyes.

Exactly who does he think he’s fooling?

“Yeah, you’ve made that completely clear. What I don’t understand is the reason for it. She’s super nice.” One of the few people who have been kind to me, and the fact that she’s friends with Summer makes her position more tenuous. It would’ve been so easy for her to jump on the other girl’s side.

But she hasn’t done that. She’s remained impartial, walking a fine line between the two of us.

Duke presses his lips into a tight line as he glares across the flickering fire. Rather than respond to my question, he mutters, “I don’t know what Littleton thinks he’s doing over there.”

Through the orange flames that twist toward the sky, I catch glimpses of their smiles. “My guess is that he’s hoping to get lucky.”

Duke’s upper lip curls as a crack of anger flashes in his eyes. “That’s not going to happen.”

“Oh?” My brows rise. “And why is that?”

“Because we’re shacking up for the weekend, and situations that include two dicks and one chick have never been my scene.”

I shake my head and suppress the smile that twitches around the corners of my lips. It feels so good to joke around and loosen up with someone. When was the last time I did that?

I can’t remember. It feels like forever.

“Do you want my opinion?” I ask tentatively.

“Not really.” Moonlight dances over his blond hair as he lifts a bottle of beer to his mouth and takes a swig.

With a shrug, I say, “Well, I’m going to give it to you anyway.”

He jerks a brow as his gaze lands on me. One side of his mouth hitches with a smile. I’m struck again by how good-looking Duke is. Especially when he loosens up, which doesn’t happen often.

It’s too bad. He would be so much more approachable if he’d stop scowling all the time.

“Then why did you ask?”

I roll my eyes and continue. “I think if you gave Everly a chance, you’d discover that she’s not the girl you think she is.”

All of his humor falls away as his jaw tightens and the muscle in his cheek tics a mad rhythm. “That’s doubtful. She’sexactlywho I think she is.”

I’m about to say more when a chill zips down my spine and goosebumps break out along my arms. My hands rise, running over the length in an attempt to ward off the cool night air before glancing around. I don’t realize who I’m searching for until our gazes collide. Air gets clogged in my chest, making it impossible to breathe as my gaze is ensnared by his. It only takes a moment or two for the bonfire and all the revelers surrounding it to melt away.

The temptation to close the distance that separates us pounds through me like a steady drumbeat. It fills my ears and rushes through my body until it’s the only thing I’m cognizant of. Life would be so much easier if he didn’t have this effect on me.

That, unfortunately, is not the case. All I can do is hope that these feelings gradually wither and die over time. If not, senior year will be even more miserable than it currently is.

It’s only when he averts his eyes, releasing me from his penetrating stare, that I realize he isn’t alone. Aubrey is curled up against his side and one muscular arm is slung around her shoulders.

Was it really only a week ago that he held me the same way?

That silent question cuts to the bone and has a dull ache flaring to life in my chest.

Maybe venturing out here wasn’t such a good idea after all. I would have been better off locked in my bedroom and reading a book. Instead of turning away, I force myself to watch as her palms stroke up and down his chest before she presses closer. The orange flames flicker and dance, giving me a clear view before hiding the couple.

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