Falling for the Ghost of You(61)

God. Lauren is pregnant. She's going to have a baby.

What would happen if Zane got me pregnant? I have no doubt he'd support me no matter what. But what would I do? A part of me (and I feel horrible for admitting this) would be thrilled to have his baby. A big part of me, if I'm being honest.

That is, until reality sets in and I find myself an unwed teen with a baby and more responsibility than I'm ready for.

Feeling disturbed—and worried for Lauren—I finally leave the restroom. I want to talk to Zane. I won’t tell him about Lauren—I just need to see him.

I am extremely annoyed to find him still in the clutches of Taylor. I've never liked her. She used to ignore me when I was fat, then was completely mean to me when I lost the weight.

I hate how perfect they look, standing together. Taylor, with her long honey blonde hair, big blue eyes, and model like figure totally complements Zane's dark beauty and powerful physique. If I stood next to them right now, some photographer guy would yell for someone to get the dumpy girl out of the magazine shoot.

Okay, but this isn't the first time I've had to shove a pretty girl away from Zane's side. I have no problem yanking Taylor away by her beautiful blonde hair.

Dare I say I would enjoy it?

Oh, yeah, I dare.

Zane watches me approach, and I love the way that half smile of his lights up his entire face.

"Hi, Zane," I say, coming up to them. "Got a minute?"

"Actually, we were in the middle of something," Taylor snaps, glaring at me. She puts a possessive hand on Zane's arm.

Oh, it's about to get ugly.

"Yes, I saw." I put on my concerned face, and then lower my voice confidentially. "I'm going to spare you the humiliation—he was about to turn you down."

I grab Zane's hand and start leading him away.

"Violet!" Taylor gapes at us in disbelief.

Zane shrugs at her. "She's right."

Ha!

I lead Zane out to the garden, and to a more secluded area near a little fish pond. It's softly romantic out here, with the little fairy lights twinkling in the creeping dark, and the exotic scent of flowers perfuming the gentle breeze.

Away from the crowds, I lean against him and inhale his fresh clean scent. Once connected, I feel like everything's gonna be okay.

Zane's arms immediately go around me. "What happened to keeping our heads down?" he asks, sounding amused.

"I know," I say, my voice coming out muffled against his chest. "I just...missed you."

"I missed you, too." I feel him kiss the top of my head. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just a problem Lauren is having."

"Anything I can do to help?

I peer up at him. "I may need you to bail me out of jail for beating someone up."

"Who are you going to beat up, and why?"

"It's for Lauren, and it's—well, it's not for me to say."

"Don't beat anyone up," Zane says. "Call me first. I'll take care of it for you."

"Oh, what, you don't think I could handle it?" I feel a little indignant. I draw myself up to my full height of five feet, four inches (five-seven in heels) and poke him in the chest. "I've been around, man. I've done things."

"Oh, no, I can tell you're a real hard ass." Zane grins and runs his hands down my back.

"I could kick your butt," I say, moving closer to him.

"Oh, no doubt."

Somehow, we end up kissing. I forget where I am—it's been too long since we’ve touched like this. I press myself against him, and he trails kisses down my neck.

Ohh, I want to...

"Violet!"

Aaaaaaauughh!! Grandma!











Chapter 24



I jump away from Zane. He moves in front of me so I can fix the top of my dress. When I'm resituated, I peek out from behind Zane's broad shoulder.

Grandma is standing there, arms crossed as she glares at us severely. Talk about hard asses—Kathy Harrington is the real deal.

"Hi, Grandma," I wave weakly. "We were just..."

"Hm, I think I know what you were 'just' about to do. And in public, too!"

Oh, this is so not good! I might catch fire, I'm burning with embarrassment. I can't even look at Zane. He's probably covered in my lipstick.

"May I have a word with my granddaughter in private?" she addresses Zane coldly.

"Of course," Zane replies respectfully. Then he leans down to speak in my ear. "Do you want me to stay?"

I shake my head regretfully. "You'd better go. I'll see you inside."

He hesitates, and I realize why when I look down and see I'm clutching his shirt with both hands. Hastily, I let go.

Zane gives me a reassuring smile and kisses my cheek before he nods once at Grandma. "Ma'am."

Once he's gone, I turn to her. "Okay, I know what you're going to say, but first let me remind you that I'm seventeen—almost eighteen. And I know that—"