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“How much longer?” I ask.
“Only ten minutes, thank heavens.”
I peek around the corner of the building, making sure not to give away our position, but the coast is clear. With a sigh, I relax, and take a moment to catch my breath.
“Jace apologized this morning on my way out the door.”
Charlotte gasps. “He did? You’ve been holding out on me.” She jabs me in the ribs. “That should’ve been the first thing you said this morning! So,” she drawls, her tone impatient, “what did he say?”
“Just that he never should’ve brought a girl back to his apartment because I’m staying there, and he knew it would make me uncomfortable.” I shrug.
“Oh.”
I glance over at her and laugh. “Not what you were expecting?”
“No. It’s just . . . I don’t know. I guess I was hoping for something a little juicier. Like, I’m sorry I brought a girl back to my placethat wasn’t you.”
I bite my lips.
“Oooh!” She points at my face. “What’s that look? He said something else, didn’t he?”
“He might’ve also apologized for the cupcake incident and kissing me on the couch.”
Her eyes round. “And what did you say?”
“Nothing. I mean, what could I say? I know how close he is to Teagan. Just like I know Teagan would be furious if he found out, so I’m sure he’s worried about it. I mean, he asked him to keep an eye out for me, not to suck my face.”
“But sucking face is so much more fun,” she says, and I shoot her a look. “Sorry.”
“So, anyway, I just said something about how I knew he regretted it and not to worry, that I’d keep it between us. Hell, the last thing I want is Teagan finding out, then coming out here and causing some big scene. I want to do this on my own.” To prove I no longer need his protection. “And he just sort of staredat me a moment, and then he brushed by me and said, ‘I don’t regret it.’”
Charlotte releases a high-pitched squeal so loud, I’m sure it’s alerted the entire universe to our position.
“Shhhh.” I cover her mouth with my hand, glancing around me to see if any of the kids have noticed. One off in the distance turns around, searching for the source of the sound, but at his angle, he mustn't see us.
“He said that?” she mutters beneath my palm.
“Yeah.” I drop my hand.
“So, what do you think it means?” she whisper-hisses.
I exhale, my mind wandering. I thought a lot about it on my way over here this morning, and I’m still unsure. “I don’t know.” I shrug.
“He likes you. Jace totally has the hots for you.”
“No way,” I say, a little too quickly. “We hate each other.”
Charlotte’s brow quirks. “Hate is just another form of passion. Besides, you definitely hate him more than he hates you. In fact, I don’t think he hates you at all.”
I fall silent for a moment, mulling over her words. Is that true? Maybe I’ve just been projecting my own feelings onto him.
“Whydoyou hate him so much, anyway?” she asks, unfazed by my silence.
“What?” I ask, blinking at her like I didn’t hear the question.
She rolls her eyes. “Jace. Why do you hate him? Is it just because he’s a player?”
I push at the memory pressing against the edges of my mind. I learned a long time ago how to control my thoughts surrounding the incident, so I’m not about to let them come crashing in now. “Yeah, exactly. I mean, he takes nothing seriously. In high school, everything was always a joke to him, and all he did was party, hang with the boys, and hook up with girls. It’sgross. Guys like him should come with a warning label. Cocky, womanizer. Don’t call me, I’ll call you.”
