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“I don’t like that Cory wants to take her,” I admitted, low under my breath. “But I also want to go out with her.”

“Cory?” Mr. Geier asked, his voice choked. “CoryMoore?”

I glanced up—she still hadn’t told him? “Yeah… He asked her.”

“But they hate each other,” Mr. Geier protested.

I was surprised. I hadn’t realized he’d paid that much attention to our discussions. Still… “I guess they don’t anymore.” I felt my glare darken. “I think he’sinterestedin her.”

“How did that happen?” Mr. Geier seemed to be genuinely curious.

I sighed, slumping down in my seat.

“She was just beingher. She insulted him, but this time he liked it. And now it looks like he has a crush on her.” My voice was lower as I added the harsh reality. “It’s either that, or he just wants to get into her pants. He’s been making rounds with all the girls.”

“What?” Mr. Geier’s curious gaze transformed into something almost scary. “He’s dreadful, I know, but he wouldn’t try anything…” His words trailed off as he watched my face, because there was no way I could even pretend to hide my disdain.

“It doesn’t matter anyway. She doesn’t like him like that,” I rushed to defend Bianca’s intentions. “She just wants to go to prom. But I don’t trusthim.”

“Well.” Mr. Geier grabbed his glass of honey-colored whisky and leaned back in his seat. “It doesn’t matter anyway, since you’ll be going with her.”

My eyes flew to his, throat closing.

“She doesn’t have much time left before college, and this is one of the few things she’s asked for in terms of the normal ‘teenage experience’.” I wanted to interrupt, to tell him that there were many other things Bianca wanted but never asked for, but he continued. “How can I deny her that?”