“Fuck,” Logan swears under his breath.
“Seems as if you’ve got a bit of a blow-up about to happen,” I say with a grin. I couldn’t be happier. In fact, I need to make sure Ayan is noticed.
To feel like theimportantperson he is.
Logan shoves his sweater sleeves up his arms, showing off one of those vintage calculator watches. “Um, I can let Nicky know our headcount tomorrow. I’ll be back in one minute.”
He scurries to the office as I slip toward the living room to watch the showdown.
Nicky meets me in the main hall, slapping a bottle of Hennessy into my hand.
“Drink up. It was the most expensive thing they had.”
“Nice work,” I say, tossing some back and licking the sweet taste off my bottom lip.
It builds enough fire in my chest that I approach Ayan’s girlfriend at the table near the back with some swagger.
She spins to face me, gold dress shimmering.
“I think Ayan wanted to talk to you in his office.” It sounds completely natural when I say it, but she narrows her eyes with suspicion.
The way she stares at me could kill a man.Scrutinizing. Judgmental thoughts dart from her gaze as if she’s already pulled back the curtain and found what’s hiding behind it. I feel exposed.
Something electric flicks between us—fear, challenge, heat. Hard to tell the difference with her.
I think she’s going to respond, but her face grows slack. Then her expression changes to shock and horror.
When I turn my head, I see Ayan tripping through the doorway, zipping up his trousers. TheIotagirl tugs on a dress, hopping on one foot to put her shoe back on.
Scout’s chest rises rapidly with a sharp breath. Like she knows exactly what just happened. Her skin begins to pale, but it doesn’t stay that way. Color surges up her neck, blooming across her cheeks as she takes in what he’s done.
I’m not exactly sure what comes over me.
Maybe it’s been these past three and a half years ofhaving to listen to guys like Ayan’s incessant insults. Or every prick ever calling me stupid. Low class. Poor.
The way I’ve gotten passed over for everything while hanging out with rich assholes.
But I clasp the back of Scout’s neck, bend down, and plant a deep kiss right on her surprised lips. Sparks fly through my spine as I taste her wintry flavor on my tongue. Like spearmint and cold, seething rage.
I pull her little body into mine.
Tucking her in like she belongs there.
And maybe that’s the real reason I do it?—
Because I’m tired of being the one who doesn’t belong.
two
“I look utterly preposterous.”
The woman in the mirror appears nothing like me.
“You’re such a bitch.” Ellis Williams, my roommate, swats my perfectlyteasedhair. I’veneverhad teased hair. But she insisted on dressing us up for the party.
And I agreed.
Only because I have a sneaking suspicion that Ayan isup to something…