Chapter 146

“Do you like me, Tristan?” I ask, and I realize I’m asking so many questions with that one single sentence. I’m asking him if he’s sorry, if he’s willing to cause a rift in the Bluebloods, if he can prove to me that he knows what the girls did was wrong. In the pool, backstage at the concert, they took things too far. Way, way, way too far.

He reaches down and takes my hands in his, the warmth of his skin overwhelming me. His peppermint and cinnamon scent surrounds us and he leans in, breathing against my hair. He doesn’t kiss me though, not like I want him to. His hands squeeze mine just a bit harder before he’s pushing them gently away. A slight scowl takes over his lips, but I’m pretty sure it’s not intended for me.

“I’ll take you to party,” he says, his voice so smooth it’s like silk, “but after that … no more. Marnye, you can’t stay here, and you can’t have me.” Tristan pushes me away and turns quickly, moving down the hallway so fast that by the time I decide I wan