Chapter 78. Love Fever

Vanessa’s POV

I didn’t see her at first.

Mr. Garcia’s arms were around me, his cologne still lingering on my shirt. His warmth felt like being covered in a blanket.

And for a second—just one stolen second—it felt like everything was okay.

Then I saw her.

Claire.

Across the street, standing like a pillar of fire in her bright yellow hoodie, her eyes locked on us like twin daggers. My heart jolted—thump!—like it skipped several beats. My stomach twisted into a tight knot. All the breath in my lungs vanished.

“Oh God,” I whispered.

“What is it?” Mr. Garcia asked, pulling back slightly, concern etched into every inch of his face.

I panicked.

I pushed him—gently but quickly—out of the hug. My palms pressed against his chest as I tried to shield him from her line of vision, but it was too late. Her eyes were on us. I could feel the heat of her glare from across the road.

“I—uh—I think you should go,” I mutt