Chapter 26
Evie
I can’t keep what I’m sure looks like a dopey smile off my face.
This feels so surreal right now, walking with Zane.
My smile slips as my thoughts drift back to what happened with Jace.
I can’t believe he kissed me like that and bit my lip.
It wasn’t soft either; my lip still feels tender.
I have no idea what is wrong with him, but it’s obvious something is not quite right.
I need to talk to Sam tonight. I’m hoping because she’s friends with him, she’ll want to help.
“Hey, where’d you go?”
Zane’s words tug me from my thoughts. I force a smile to my face, but he frowns, like he can tell I’m faking it.
I start to tell him that I’m good, but I don’t.
“Do you think something is wrong with Jace?” I watch his face as I ask the question, so I don’t miss his instant scowl. “You really don’t like him, do you?”
“No.” His answer is immediate.
“Why?” It’s a simple question, and I wait for his answer as we walk.
“Lots of reasons,” he says after a moment.
“Name one.” I’m genuinely interested. I don’t trust Jace, but I don’t know if that’s just because I haven’t dated a lot of guys. “I guess I’m interested in a guy’s point of view.”
His eyes flick over my face before he looks straight ahead again.
“He left you in a restaurant by yourself, alone and unprotected with no way back to campus. He also left you with a huge bill.” I cringe as I remember the embarrassment of that night.
“Either of those things is enough in my book, but then what he did to you tonight.” His scowl morphs into an expression of anger.
“He doesn’t deserve to still be breathing. ”
“Well, that’s a little much, don’t you think?” I ask, trying to lighten the somber mood.
“No. I wouldn’t let my sister date him, if that’s any indication of how I feel about him.”
I look up at him in surprise. “You have a sister?” He nods. Needing a change of topic, I jump on this one. “Older or younger?”
“Younger. She’s a senior this year in high school.”
“What’s she like?” I ask, genuinely interested.
“A pain in my back side.” He says the words with a smile, so I know he’s not serious. “She plays basketball.”
“Yeah. Is she tall, like you?”
He nods. “Yeah. She’s good too. She’s already got a scholarship lined up to play for FMU next year.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “Really? That’s awesome. Is she intense like you?”
It’s his turn to look surprised. “You think I’m intense?”
“Um, yeah. You’re like Mr. Intensity.”
There’s a laugh behind us, reminding me we’re not alone. “She’s got your number, Cap.”
He doesn’t even bother turning around, but I do catch a glimpse of a smile on his lips.
“To answer your question, Riley is...” he pauses and turns his head.
“Reid, how do you describe Riley?” I turn around too and notice the expression on Reid’s face.
I’m used to him looking emotionless ninety-five percent of the time, but not right now.
There’s emotion all over his face, but when he notices my gaze, his face changes.
“Not as annoying as her brother,” Reid says, his face blank again.
I glance up at Zane, but he doesn’t seem to have noticed anything. I tuck it away as Zane grins. “The words of a true friend.” The dining hall comes into view, and as if on cue, my stomach growls loudly. Zane looks down at me. “Hungry?”
“I didn’t get a chance to eat lunch...or breakfast,” I add. His frown intensifies, and he puts his hand on my lower back, propelling me forward as if that will help me to eat faster. We step inside, and I scan the huge eating area for Tessa.
“She’s over there,” Zane says. We start in that direction, and I finally see her. She’s waving wildly at us, like we can’t see her.
“Is she directing a flight in for landing?” Quint asks with humor. I grin because it is a little much, but that’s Tessa.
Her eyes widen when she takes in all of us. “OhmygoodnessI’mgoingtopassout.”
“Please don’t,” Zane says, obviously deciphering whatever it was she said first.
Tessa’s wide eyes meet mine. “We’re eating with all of them?”
I glance over my shoulder to see if the number has increased on the way here. Nope; it’s still just Zane, Reid, and Quint. Quint steps forward with a big grin on his face. “If you prefer, you can just eat with me.”
“Nope,” Tessa says, not even thinking about it. “I’m not missing a chance to eat with all of you.”
Zane meets my eyes, and we share a smile at the look of dejection on Quint’s face. “You want what I got you last time?” Zane asks.
“Oh.” I take a step towards the line. “I can get it.”
“I know. Same thing as last time?” he asks again.
I give in. “Yes, except all noodles, no rice.”
“Got it.” I reach for my wallet, but he pushes my hand down. “I’ve got it.” When I look up at him, he winks and then walks over to get in line. I try to remember how to breathe. It used to be so easy—in and out, in and out.
Tessa turns towards me, eyes nearly bugging out of her head.
What was that? She mouths. I shrug but can’t keep the goofy smile off my face.
“Well, I’m going to go get in line because I don’t have a hunk of a man to go buy my food for me.
” She leaves with a last grin at me and slips in line behind Zane, talking to him immediately.
I watch the two of them and can’t help my grin.
“She hasn’t stopped talking since she got over there, has she?” Quint asks from right next to me.
“Nope.” My grin fades. “I hope she doesn’t scare him away.”
“Not possible,” he says easily. When I look at him, he winks. “I’m off to get food.”
I notice Reid is sitting at the table alone.
I slide into the seat across from him and take this opportunity to talk to him.
“So, Riley, huh?” His gaze snaps to mine, and I expect him to smile.
But he doesn’t. In fact, his entire body tenses.
I regret my words. “I’m sorry. I just saw how you responded when Zane said her name and—”
“How did I respond?” he asks, cutting me off.
I sit back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest. “Like you weren’t as disinterested or as cold as you try to portray.” His eyes flick over to where Zane is listening to Tessa talk a million words a minute.
“Don’t worry; I’ll keep your secret,” I assure him.
His eyes meet mine and darken, and I don’t know what to do with the look. He looks...dangerous. “What secret?” he asks in a low voice.
I don’t answer him right away, because I’m not sure what’s happening right now. Quint’s sudden appearance at our table is a relief. I turn my gaze to him. “What’d you find to...” My words trail off as I take in the plates of food. “Good grief. Did you leave any food for anybody else?”
He grins. “Nope.”
“That’s a lot of food,” I feel the need to point out.
“I’m a growing boy, Evie.” He pats his flat stomach and then slides into the chair next to Reid.
He starts shoveling food in, and I watch partly in fascination and partly in disgust. Thankfully, Zane finally arrives with our food.
The aromatic smell of the chicken hits me, and my eyes nearly roll back in my head.
Zane walks over to stand next to Reid. He doesn’t even say a word, and Reid stands up and moves to another chair. Zane slides in across from me and hands me a white Styrofoam box. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I notice his two boxes. “Oh, is one of those Tessa’s.”
“Nope. They’re both mine.”
It should shock me, but after Quint’s meal, I don’t think it’s possible. “It must take a lot of calories to do what you guys do, huh?”
“A ton,” Quint says as he shovels in another bite.
I open my box and stare down at the chicken and chow mein; I think I’ve pretty much died and gone to Heaven. “Are you going to stare at it, or eat it?” I hear the humor in Zane’s voice.
“I’m just giving myself a moment to appreciate it.
” He laughs, and I pick up my fork. I pick the best-looking piece of orange chicken, the one with the most sauce and pop it into my mouth.
I close my eyes and moan at the taste; it’s quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever eaten.
I hear a sound, like a low growl, and my eyes flick open.
Zane is staring at me with those green eyes that look lighter than normal.
I lose myself in those piercing eyes a moment.
“Is it good, Evie?”
Quint’s loud voice shakes me out of...whatever that was. “So good.” I take another bite, this time keeping the moan trapped inside. I slow down after a few bites and notice Zane’s boxes. “What did you get?” I ask curiously.
“A little of everything. Want to try anything?”
“I don’t know. I always get the orange chicken.”
His eyebrows rise in surprise. “Always? You've never even tried something else from there?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
I stare at him. “Because I love the orange chicken. Why would I get something else when I know I love that.”
He grins at me. “Okay. But since I have all this, try something. Here.” He stabs his fork into something and hands it to me.
“What is it?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I don’t really know.”
“Oh, that one’s good,” Quint says. “It’s Beijing Beef.”
“I don’t usually eat beef,” I say.
Quint’s eyes dance. “Well, that’s not good. This guy here is part beef.” He slaps Zane on the shoulder. Zane doesn’t even react.
“Oh, my word,” Tessa says, joining us suddenly and sliding into the seat next to me. “Remind me to order before the beefcake next time. They had to remake everything.”
Zane grins and pops a piece of chicken into his mouth. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re not,” she says saucily and takes a bite. “Oooo, fresh orange chicken. Okay, never mind. All is forgiven.”
“That was fast,” I say shaking my head.
I finally eat the piece Zane gave me. “Huh, it’s actually pretty good.”
“What is?” Tessa asks.
“Whatever Zane fed me.”
She turns to me, her nose scrunched up. “He’s feeding you now?”
Quint hoots with laughter. “No, not like that. He gave me a bite; oh, never mind.” Zane smirks across the table at me. I shake my head and go back to eating. When I can’t eat anymore, I push it towards Zane.
“You’re done?” he asks.
“Yes, I’m so full.”
“You should eat more.”
His words make me laugh; I’m not even sure why.
I’m pretty sure I’m in a food coma right now.
Of course, I’ve been laughing since we sat down.
I don’t know when I’ve ever had such a good night.
Several times, Zane’s caught my eye while I’ve been laughing, and he’s given me this smile.
I don’t know what to make of it, but it’s a smile that makes me feel like I’m the most precious thing in his whole world.
I nearly groan out loud. I’m definitely in a food coma.
I’m the first person to push my chair back. “This has been so fun, but I’ve got to go back to my dorm. I have an early morning at the coffee shop tomorrow.”
“What time?” Zane asks.
“Five.”
He nods, and I know without even asking that he’ll be at my dorm before then to walk me over. The thought makes me smile. “What?” he asks, catching my smile.
My smile increases. “You’re a good guy, Zane Blackwood.”