Page 85

“Did something happen?”

“Just Kaden and Luther.” I shook my head. “But they’re not the real problem. I know they want to protect their friend. It’s everyone else that’s getting to me. I’m so sick of the gossip in this place. I swear, no matter what I do people are always talking about me. I’m single. I should be able to do whatever I want.”

He watched me for a second before he slowly started to smile. “So, you should do what you want then...”

“What—” I started to speak, but my question was cut off as Wes pulled me toward him, my hands landing against his chest as he wrapped his arms about me. His face was so close to mine, and I could sense everyone in the corridor was watching us. His eyes danced with mischief, and my heart raced in response.

“What exactly do you think I want?” I whispered.

“What you wanted in New York. And in my room...”

My eyes went to his mouth as he spoke. “You think I want to kiss you?”

“I mean, it wouldn’t be the first time,” he said. “And you did nearly partake in ‘funny business’ with me in the library.”

“I did not. I—”

He silenced my protests by pulling me closer and kissing me like we were completely alone in the world. For a few blissful moments, my mind went totally blank, and my body buzzed with a new kind of emotion. Wes’s lips worked their magic and somehow rebooted me, so when we drew apart, I no longer felt annoyed or worried.

He grinned, his cheeks turning slightly pink as he looked around at the staring students. “I don’t think I’ve helped you with your gossip problem.”

“No,” I agreed, my cheeks flushing too. Although if what Kaden and Luther had said was true, the kids who’d been watching Wes and I in the library tonight probably wouldn’t be surprised.

“I’m sure they will just blame the glasses. Really, you had no chance of resisting me.”

I laughed. “They are kind of irresistible.”

“I knew it.” He winked. “Remind me again why I shouldn’t wear them all the time?”

“Because I have no self-control when you do.”

“Now we couldn’t have that, could we?”

I swallowed as the more rational part of my brain started to kick in. “We probably shouldn’t have done that.” There were many reasons why, but I was already concerned about damaging my friendship with Wes. That was only going to intensify now that everyone at school would think we were together.

Wes waved my concern off with one hand. “Don’t overthink it. It was just one friend helping another out.” It was almost like he could read my mind.

“You’re sure it was nothing more?”

“It was nothing more,” he agreed. “You ready for our walk?”

“Uh, sure.” He was sounding way too calm and collected about all this. Meanwhile, I was internally beginning to freak out.

Wes lightly wrapped an arm over my shoulder and started to guide me away from the library, happily ignoring the whispers and curious looks that trailed us as we went.

I had no idea how he could act so unaffected by the attention. But more so, how he was so convinced that our kiss meant nothing. He was clearly fine with us just being friends. But why was a part of me disappointed?

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

Lily collapsed into the chair next to me at breakfast the following morning. She was cradling a cup of coffee to her chest like it was her precious. “I’m so tired,” she said, stifling a yawn.

“I can see that. You’re looking at your coffee like you wish you could inject it into your veins somehow.”

“Oh, that would be the dream,” she said before taking a long sip.

“Why are you so tired?”

“My parents surprised me with a trip home over the weekend,” she said. “I left straight from New York and took an extra couple of days off. I only got back late last night.”