Page 111 of Ruthless Court

He laughs.

A real one.

It changes his whole face.

The arrogance loosens. His eyes warm. For a second, he looks younger than the campus mythology built around him.

I hate noticing.

“What year?” he asks.

“Freshman.”

“I knew it.”

“Based on what?”

“You still look surprised by everything.”

“I’m currently surprised that your conversation has lasted this long.”

“You’re enjoying it.”

“No.”

His gaze drops to my mouth.

I realize I’m biting the inside of my lower lip and stop.

He catches that too.

“You’re lying.”

“About what?”

“Not enjoying me.”

Behind him, a car horn sounds.

He doesn’t move.

Lila opens the driver’s door at last.

“We should go, Hannah.”

Kane’s attention snaps back to my name.

“Hannah.”

“Yes. You mastered it.”

He looks at me with the same unsettled concentration he wore when he tried to place my face.

“Are you sure you don’t have a twin?”

“Positive.”

“An alter-ego named Sandy, perhaps?”