Page 74 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

He truly has the best freaking smile, grin, eye contact I think as I close my fingers around the note.

“What's that?” Tessa asks.

“Nothing.”

“Jade.”

“It's private.” I peer toward Alex, silently telling her not now.

Alex looks between us, obviously catching it. “I don't even want to know.”

“Smart choice,” Tessa says.

“Very smart choice,” I agree.

Alex points toward the hallway. “Get to class, troublemakers.”

I grin. “Love you too.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Sitting at my desk in homeroom, I open the note.

Pretty Girl,

That phone call was way too short.

I had to fill in the missing parts myself.

Good news. You agreed we're going to be amazing together.

Your favorite Lane

-T

17

LUNCH

Tommy

Leaving the main office, I can’t hide the fact that I’m stoked that we’re now in her lunch period. Lucas, though, is acting totally chill—which I know is bullshit— as he checks himself out as we pass a mirror. I chuckle, and he narrows his eyes.

Me? I wink at him. “Still one sexy motherfucker in blue and white.”

His ex, the one who, although he can't stand her, did a number on him. She was supposed to be going to Ithaca High, switched at the last minute, and is now here.

He and I made sure not to tell anyone where we were going to avoid the drama she obviously wants to create. Not this year bitch.

When we walk into the lunchroom, I spot her immediately. She's smiling. Not polite smiling, not talking-to-her-friends smiling. Happy.

I hope I might've had something to do with that, her smile, and when I spot the note she passes to Becca, Phoebe, and Tessa, I know I am.

I can't hear what she's saying, but I don't need to.

Every few seconds, she laughs, then presses the paper to her chest before reading another line.

Mission accomplished. “Told you she'd read every one of those notes you thought were overkill.”