AllFreeNovel
Share Us
***
Katrina and Justinhad secured their invitation to the Torrence’s New Year’s Bash through Lorenzo, who somehow had managed to override Emily’s objections. Emily was still angry that Katrina and Lorenzo were dating, something she’d forbade her once-best friend to do.
But Katrina couldn’t help herself.
She’d been under his spell from day one.
“This,” Justin said as he stepped between Katrina and Lorenzo, putting an arm around each of them, “is going to be our best year yet. It’s the year we become seniors.”
“Not until fall,” Katrina reminded him.
“It’s the year we finally rule the school. The year we are one step closer to getting the hell out of here.”
Katrina noticed the tic in Lorenzo’s jaw at the mention of leaving.
He had nowhere to go, no family to truly call his own.
What would happen to him?
Katrina had no recollection of ever seeing the other foster children who had come and gone after they’d left school.
“So...think we can get away with spiking the drinks around here tonight?” Justin smirked as he looked back and forth between them.
“I hope you’re not expecting me to kiss you at midnight,” Lorenzo said as he pulled out from Justin’s arm, an easy smile on his face.
Katrina could see through it, though.
She knew he was thinking about it, too.
“I’ve got prospects lined up.” Justin straightened as he stepped forward, then turned to them and smiled. “Later.”
“Later,” Katrina called after him with a laugh, one that didn’t quite reach her heart.
They still had over a year before they had to worry about separation, when one’s parents would send them to college, and the other, with no parents of his own, would be left to find his way.
“Let’s think of happier things,” she suggested as she stepped up to Lorenzo, whose own attention was averted. Katrina followed his line of vision and saw Mrs. Torrence in the corner, looking out at the partygoers.
Her eyes on Lorenzo.
“Everything okay?” Katrina asked, taking his hand in hers.
“Hmm? Oh, yeah...yeah.” He squeezed her hand as he squeezed his own eyes shut, then he looked down at her, one corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. “Let’s get out of here.”
That smile wasn’t reaching his eyes. “Ren, what is it?”
With his free hand, he brushed her hair back behind her ear. “I just want time with my girl without all the chaos.”
She wanted to question the faraway look in his eyes.
Instead, drawn in under his spell, she peered up at him through her lashes. “Yes,” she said.
She would always say yes to him.
***
Katrina lifted herchin as she peered over at Lorenzo. His bruises, still prominent, were already beginning to heal. The stitches above his left eye would leave a scar, but that would only add to his allure, his appeal.
Damn this man for drawing her in.
