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I wrapped my arm around his bony shoulders and clinked my glass with his. “Our TA said Professor Seavers had never once asked so many questions during a presentation.”
“And she smiled,” Sal added. “Seavers smiled at us.”
I help up my glass. “That’s right, bitches. Seavers smiled at me and Sal—guaranteedA.”
The last week had been dismal, but finally,finallythere was light. Our business proposal had been so solid, it had stood up to both Seavers and our classmates’ brutal interrogation. Dickwad Pi Sig boys had been so smug at the start, like they planned to poke holes in the work Salvatore and I spent countless hours on, but they couldn’t find any. They had almost looked defeated when they left.
That just made this day all the better.
Zadie brought out piles of pasta, salad, bread, and antipasto. I had no idea how she’d managed to cook all of it on such short notice, but I wasn’t looking a gift horse in the mouth. I filled two plates and joined Julien in his spot in the shadows.
“What’s shaking, Phantom?” I handed him his food. He grunted as he took it. I knew he didn’t like me doing things for him, but it wasn’t exactly easy to carry a plate while on crutches.
“You look happy,” he said.
“I’m happy about the project,” I hedged.
I’d received two more pictures from Lock. One of the sun rising over a range of mountains. The other, a close up of a steer. I wasn’t stupid. He was obviously sending me pictures of his family’s ranch, but I couldn’t figure out why. It felt like another one of his games.
“Your mom?” he asked.
“I’m letting my dad handle it. Or forcing him to. She was lucid enough to talk to me on the phone, so that’s an improvement. How are you?”
He chuckled. “Just dandy, as always. My knuckles are still smarting.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have punched a brick wall. I could have told you that.”
He rubbed the top of his hand, shooting me a half smile. “He deserved it.”
“Thank you for defending my honor.”
He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chest. “What can I say? I’m a gentleman.”
Heavy, clunking steps on the other side of the deck drew my attention. Lock had arrived, uninvited, and his attention was squarely on me. Rolling my eyes, I gave him my back.
“Are you kidding me?” I mumbled.
“Told you he was in a world of hurt. He can’t even stay away for a day.” Julien made this sound like a good thing.
“That’s because he’s an ass. I have asked him over and over to give me space.”
Behind me, Lock greeted everyone. The fact that none of my friends were kicking him off the deck grated my nerves. They had to know I didn’t want him here, and yet…
Obviously, of the two of us, Lock was the favorite, but this wasmydeck. If I had more energy, I’d tell him to go, but I didn’t, so I’d just stay in the shadows with Phantom.
That worked for a while, but like all good things, nothing lasted forever.
“Elena, tell us about your project,” Theo called out. “Tell us what we’re celebrating.”
Swiveling in my chair to face the rest of the crowd, I tipped my drink toward Sal, who had found himself between Amir and Marco, looking like he was going to either bolt or faint.
“I think my partner should explain,” I said.
He cleared his throat. “Uh…it’s actually really interesting. This woman, Shana, brings an adult summer camp to resorts—”
As Salvatore explained the idea, my friends’ eyes were on him. Lock wasn’t my friend, and his eyes were on me. His head was canted toward Sal, so he was listening, but he was watching me.
At least, until Sal got to the part about Sugar Brush River Ranch. That caught Lock’s full attention.
