Page 163 of Ruthless Court

“No playing,” Noor says. “That’s how people get hurt.”

“Everyone gets hurt. She might as well enjoy the opening acts.”

I look between them.

“What does playing carefully involve?”

Lila counts on her fingers.

“Do not text first. Do not be instantly available. Make him work.”

Noor shakes her head.

“Or act like a normal person. Tell him you’re interested but cautious.”

“I’m not telling Kane Haverhill I’m interested.”

“You kissed him back.”

“That information is classified.”

Lila takes my phone from the bed.

“Let’s see whether he texted.”

I grab for it.

She rolls away and holds the screen above her head.

“Lila.”

“It’s locked.”

“Give it back.”

“It just lit up.”

All three of us freeze.

She looks at the notification.

Her eyes widen.

“No.”

“What?”

She hands me the phone.

Kane’s name sits across the screen.

Kane: I meant that kiss, Hannah.

My stomach drops.

A second message arrives.

Kane: I put two tickets under your name for Saturday’s home game. Player guest section. The seats everyone calls the wives-and-girlfriends section, before you start typing something hostile.