My Wolf’s Bane(35)

Zack had put the constant scowl on hiatus, but he wasn’t exactly friendly either. Knowing I’d have more than enough of him later, I hung out with John during lunch.

Gina and Daniel didn’t sit together. I wondered why. But if she and Zack had a date on Saturday, why would she want Daniel? I hoped Zack had a platonic explanation for their Saturday meeting and that he had better taste than to get involved with Gina.

But I was used to disappointment when it came to Zack.

At the end of the school day, Gina met me at my car. She shoved a bag at me and smirked. “Out with the old and in with the new.” She strutted away.

I peeked in the bag containing my clothes she’d borrowed, then hurried home. If I made every minute count, there would be enough time to car shop and get super cute before the weird double date. I’d feel better about the whole thing if I looked fabulous. Having a chance to relax would be a good idea too, since being harried and uptight could counteract any results of the hard work beautifying myself.

When I got home, I had a powerful urge to get out and feel the wind, see the stars. It was a shame the sun still shined and Zack would arrive any second. I’d have to wait until the evening was over before giving in to that need.

Hearing a knock, I darted to the front door. “Hey,” I said as I shut it behind me and locked up.

“Did you search for cars on the Internet last night?” He asked as we headed to the curb. He rounded the hood of the Jeep and got in.

Crap. “No.” I strapped myself in. “I meant to, but got involved in something else. Sorry.”

He lifted one shoulder and dropped it, steering away from the curb. “No worries. I know another dealership with a huge used inventory. You can search there as easily. Not as efficient, but we can still make progress today.”

Why wasn’t he annoyed that I hadn’t done my car homework? Was he finally softening toward me? Or just enjoying the fact that the more time he spent with me, the more it would cost me?

We arrived at the dealership a few minutes later and I blindly followed Zack through the giant car lot, since I had no idea where to start. Nothing caught my eye until I saw the black Porsche buffed to a high gloss.

Zack chuckled. “Way out of your budget.”

“I can dream, can’t I?” I peered through the window at the interior.

Feeling an energy, I turned. A man in black stood by a silver SUV, his eyes trained on us. Zack stepped sideways to partially shield me from the man’s view.

“I’m under Charles’ supervision,” Zack said.

The stranger furrowed his brows. “Charles?”

“Yes,” Zack replied.

A moment later, the man smiled at me. Though he seemed less imposing than the cowboy, his too-smooth demeanor gave me the willies. It was as if an underlying ruthlessness itched to break free.

Like the episode with the cowboy, Zack and the man in black eyed each other intently for several seconds, then the man gave a curt nod and left.

Zack put a hand up. “Don’t ask.”

“Not like I get any answers when I do. I just hope you’re not mixed up with drug dealers or have huge gambling debts.” Zack and I would never be friends, but that didn’t mean I wanted him to end up in cement shoes.

“Right. Because between work and school and my family, I have so much free time to get high and play poker. Let’s get you home.”

Zack dropped me off at my house and I raced into the shower. After debating several minutes on what to wear, I remembered that Trevor had made reservations, which meant a nicer restaurant. So I curled the ends of my hair and slipped into a plum-colored halter dress that pushed up and squeezed, giving me much more cleavage than anyone had a right to. It hugged my waist and gently draped over my hips, flaring just enough to create soft folds that clung to my thighs.

After a touch of powder, a quick brush of mascara and a light coat of lip-gloss, I stepped into a pair of slip-on heels with tiny crystals covering the arch and backed up for an overall view. Not bad.

Zack would probably be wearing something nice, too. He might even smell good. Even the thought of him made my cells vibrate like flashing lightning. What the hell was wrong with me? So he had hot muscles, smooth skin and good God he smelled like freshly cut grass and wet earth after a storm. I had to remember not to breathe him in or I’d forget I was supposed to hate him. Zack was a guy who didn’t like me. I needed to return the favor.

I checked my cell for the time, then peeked through the curtain to see his Jeep pull up to the curb. I ran my fingers through the soft waves of my hair to fluff it and flipped my head back. I was making a couple of adjustments with a few wayward tendrils when the doorbell rang.