Falling for the Ghost of You(52)

Oh.

“Violet,” Mom calls from her seat at the head of the table. “Did I hear right? You’re going to a school dance?”

“With Jakey!” Soccer Mom announces proudly. “It’s his first dance—isn’t that sweet. And I’m sure he’ll score major cool points showing up with a hot babe like Violet!”

“Mom,” Jakey groans, embarrassed.

Don’t do it, Violet. Don’t look over at Zane. Don’t…

I do.

Our eyes meet. His dark brown eyes are shiny with held-in laughter. He raises his eyebrows at me like, "Really, Violet?"

I'm being punished, right? That must be it. This is what I get for being a silly jealous girl.

Cheeks flaming, I refuse to look up for the rest of the meal. Jakey acts as if we're dating and slings a possessive arm along the top of my chair.

Meanwhile, Jenna decides to pepper me with questions: where do I work, what school do I go to, what do I like to do for fun, etc. On the other hand, she seems to know an awful lot about me already. She is genuinely interested, and I find myself wanting to know about her, too.

"Zane and I go way back," Jenna says, poking his arm. He smiles, but doesn't say anything. "He was always the hottest guy in school, and I was just the dumpy girl who hung out with him. And now look at him, a—"

"Pain in the ass," Zane interjects smoothly. "I'm sure Violet would agree."

"I do, and you are," I say coolly.

Jenna laughs, pushing her her long hair behind one ear. "That's right, you tell him. This guy here is used to getting everything he wants."

"Well, not everything." Zane's intense gaze settles on me. "Not yet."

We stare at each other for endless seconds. Why does being near him have to feel like this—a combination of crushing pleasure and soaring pain? The intensity of my feelings for him scare me, and the way he's looking at me now...it’s like he's reading my thoughts.

A hand on my thigh breaks my Zane-induced trance.

I glare at Jakey and shove his hand off of me. He gives me a giant gap-toothed smile in return. I ignore him.

"So, Jenna," I say. "Do you live in L.A.?"

"No, I'm actually in town town for a few days to visit friends, then it's back to good ol' NYU. Although, I may consider moving back if I get to hang out in Zane's Jacuzzi all night like we've been doing."

She smiles up at him, and I throw up a little.

What?!

Throwing off Jakey's wandering hand again, I ask in a choked voice, "You're staying with Zane?" I don't even look his way.

"Yeah. He's the best! You would be so jealous if you knew how soft his bed is."

His bed? Oh, God.

I can feel the blood drain from my face. I finally look at Zane, unable to speak, move.

He sees my stricken expression, and his eyes widen. "Jen. You're giving Violet the wrong impression."

"Huh?" Jenna frowns, and turns to me. She appears to mentally replay her words. Finally, she gasps. "Oh, no, it's not what it sounds like! I meant his guest bed! I'm sorry! It's not like that with us. It's never been."

I don't know what to think or say, so I don't say anything. There's a good chance I might burst into tears. Numbly, I remove Jakey's hand from my knee.

"Violet," Zane says softly, serious. "We're just friends, I promise you."

"Yeah," Jenna joins. Her big green eyes suddenly sparkle. "Besides, I happen to know for a fact that Zane, here, is stupid crazy over some hot chick whose name is like a flower."

Startled, I stare at Zane. A cautious hope blooms in the vicinity of my chest.

He stares down at the table, shaking his head slightly. "Thank you, Jenna. When do you go home again?"

She just laughs. "Oh, lighten up, Zane. I'm doing you a favor. Seriously, though, you two so need to have a conversation."

I smile weakly at her. "If we don't kill each other first."

"Yeah, he tends to have that effect on people."

"Really over-staying your welcome here."

"Hey," Jenna says. "You were the one who wanted me to meet her."

"Yeah, that was a stupid idea." Zane suddenly leans across the table. "Touch her one more time, and I'll break your arm."

At first, I'm shocked because I think he's talking to me—but then I feel a hand slowly wither away from my leg.

Jakey's eyes are wide and panicked as he gulps at the dark violence in Zane's face.

Whoa. Maybe trying to make him jealous is not a good idea after all.

By the end of dinner, Jakey whispers in my ear that he can't see me anymore, and promptly un-invites me from the dance. Then, making sure Zane's not watching, he asks if he can take a picture of me with his phone. I pose with the dorkiest open-mouthed grin I can manage.