Six days after we started our secret relationship—secret because we didn’t want Cora finding out and making a big deal about it—I went to school anxious and jittery. The last time I’d gotten a chance to see Zoey was yesterday morning in Art Appreciation. I’d had to work last night and I had to again tonight, which meant I wouldn’t get to see her again until tomorrow, Wednesday morning
I walked to my next class, unable to concentrate on school or think about practice I would be attending later in the afternoon. Coach was finally going to officially label me as a second-string quarterback. I’d been working for this spot for a year now. I should be excited that today was finally the day. Instead, I was tempted to pull out my cell phone and fire off a text to Zoey, even though I’d had a ten-minute conversation with her earlier when I called to say good morning.
This constant craving for her was driving me nuts.
But even as my hand went to my back pocket while I strolled along the sidewalk, I spotted her up ahead, walking with Cora in my direction. Neither of them noticed my approach. Soon they would, though. It was inevitable; I was going to walk right by them. I frowned slightly, wondering why they looked so buddy, buddy. I didn’t get a sense from Zoey that she and Cora were even remotely friendly any more.
But then I heard Cora saying, “You won’t forget, right? This Saturday? It can’t be rescheduled,” and I figured it had to be something about their apartment.
“I won’t forget.” Zoey sounded a little irritated by the reminder.
She was the first to see me. My insides fired to life, and great...I instantly went hard. Remembering every single thing we’d done together, I stared at her a little too intently, and way too obviously. She began to look away, but did a double take before her eyes widened.
I couldn’t help it. I smiled. When she blushed, I mouthed the word, “Library,” without really thinking what I was doing. I was that desperate for her.
She darted a quick look at Cora, who was checking something on her phone and didn’t notice me for another half a second.
“Oh,” Cora said with genuine surprise when she finally looked up. She pushed her chest out and then tossed her hair over her shoulder. It was pathetic how hard she tried to preen in front of me. “Hey there, Quinn.”
I sniffed, making a face at her, wondering why she thought there was anything friendly, or even civil between us.
Then my gaze returned to Zoey and my internal organs started burning. I held her stare until they passed and she was gone. I hoped she’d understood my message because I was already veering toward the library, and my mouth was watering to taste her.
“Umm...is that all you needed from me?” Heart racing, I glanced at Cora and bit my lip, hoping she didn’t notice my eagerness.
Quinn probably hadn’t even said library. It’d just looked like the word his lips were forming. And heck, even if he had said it, that probably hadn’t meant he wanted me to meet him there. But that’s where I was going anyway.
Cora snapped her phone shut and sent me a bored glance. “Why would I need anything else from you?” She’d gone over doctors’ appointments with me, and that was pretty much the only thing left between us.
“I’ll see you then.” I waved a half-hearted goodbye and darted back in the direction I’d just come from.
I couldn’t get to the library fast enough. When I reached the front doors, I glanced behind me self-consciously just to make sure Cora hadn’t followed me for any reason.
My heart leapt into my throat when I swear I saw the red top she was wearing and blond hair, but then whoever it was walked behind a building. I blew out a breath, telling myself I was paranoid.
As I swept inside the front doors, I started grinning. Even the possibility of getting to see him had my blood pounding with excitement. I didn’t have to search; I went straight to our spot. But as I turned down the aisle of books that led there, I slowed to a stop. He wasn’t there.
My shoulders slumped. But then a breath later, two arms slid around my waist, making me squeak in surprise. I was pulled back against a hard chest I’d recognize anywhere.
“You came.” His voice was filled with wonder before he spun me around.
His smile created a buzz that echoed through my entire body. I smiled back and touched his dimple; my lips hurt from stretching them so far. His own smile widened. And then he was pulling me up to his level and kissing me.
“God, Zoey. I can’t resist you in a pair of jeans or even shorts. But a skirt—” He shook his head even as his palms caught my bare thighs and smoothed their way up the outsides, right under my skirt. “You want to kill me, don’t you?”