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I managed to take a deep, relaxing breath.
And another one.
He stared back at me for a moment longer, gave me a curt nod, and went back to whatever it was Roman Lombardi did.
And, my next breath was slightly more tense.
Things were weird between us.
I didn’t know how to make it right and he didn’t seem inclined to make any effort.
I guess I wasn’t surprised really. I mean we’d gone from hanging out almost constantly, sleeping together, some weird sort of friendship I didn’t know what I’d do without, to me dating Mason. We’d always known that our relationship would have to change if or when Mason asked me out. I just hadn’t realised it would be quite so difficult to actually do.
“You okay?” I heard Mason’s voice in my ear and I had to force myself not to jump at the unexpectedness of it.
I nodded. “Yep.”
He wrapped me up, his nose against my neck. “Where did you go?”
I felt myself twitch weirdly again. “Uh, nowhere. I’m here.”
Which I just noticed is not where Hadley was as she was over talking to Celeste.
I spun in Mason’s arms and gave him what I hoped was a sincere smile. “I’m here.”
It was painfully obvious to me that I wouldn’t have to be present with Roman. Or that I could have told Roman I’d just wandered off for a moment without worrying about what he’d ask or how serious the conversation would get or what he’d think of me.
But, Mason wasn’t Roman.
Mason wanted more.
I wanted more.
With Mason.
It would just take time for Mason and me to get to that comfortable point.
I mean, it had taken Roman and me time.
Hadn’t it?
We ambled through the rest of Lunch. When the bell rang, we dispersed as usual. Celeste and I were heading down the hallway to our classroom when I heard Roman’s name.
I looked up and saw a girl in the year below us smiling at him in a way that told anyone watching that she was yet another girl who wanted something from him. And, it wasn’t anything pure.
Roman looked her over in that bored way he had, that lazy disinterest practically branding her.
My heart flipped and I wasn’t completely sure why.
Rio bent his lips to Roman’s ear. Whatever Rio said made Roman’s lip tip into that crooked mocking smirk. Roman’s expression changed to that dark charm as he looked her up and down once more and he gave her a slight nod. I watched as she smiled at him sweetly, ducked her head and hurried off.
My heart went from flip to flop and my breath hitched.
Roman turned and his eyes had just met mine when Mr Dunbridge yelled his name down the hallway.
“Roman! Let’s talk about what you were up to last lesson.” Mr Dunbridge waved a hand at him. “Rio, why don’t you come, too?”
Rio looked to Roman then he followed Roman’s gaze to me. His eyes were harder even than Roman’s and he gave me a mocking smirk that gave Roman a run for his money.
