“Okay, this library is a cheap shot. Are you trying to seduce me, Will?” I joked when I felt his lips tickle my ear. He squeezed me in his arms, and I didn’t move away. It was nice.
“You’re joking, right? Didn’t I already seduce you?”
I leaned back and looked for his lips, but stopped myself before kissing him.
“You can tell me what you want. Really, I won’t judge, Will,” I murmured on his parted lips.
He didn’t answer.
“I heard you talking to Hunter today.”
Will snorted. “We’re meeting up tonight. No big deal,” he muttered, ruffling his sandy-colored hair. He always did that when he was in a tough spot.
“About what?”
“I just told you, it’s no big deal.”
His voice wavered at the end, the lie seeping out.
“So, can I come with you?”
I didn’t want to get in trouble, but I wanted to know more about what was going on. Will’s face changed suddenly. “No.”
“What if I already found out where you were going and you didn’t have to hide it from me anymore?” I held back a satisfied smile when his eyes went wide.
“How’d you find out? Fuck, James is gonna kill me.” Bingo.
“Who gives a shit about James, I want to come with you,” I demanded. William started to tap his fingers on a shelf.
“It’s dangerous.”
I remembered what Poppy had told me about trouble. What was it all about?
“I don’t care. I still want to come, if it’s okay with you. I’m not afraid of a challenge.”
William looked bewildered.
“Okay, so, no.”
An icy silence followed, interrupted by a sudden gesture. I turned away.
“I’d better get home.”
“Hold on, June. It’s not—”
“It’s not blackmail, really. Maybe you’re just really reserved. I wouldn’t fault you for that. It’s just that it doesn’t sit well with me.”
I climbed down the ladder away from his disappointed face. When I got to the lower level, he chased after me.
“June, what are you talking about?” he asked before I could get to the door.
“I’m sorry, but I get the sense that we’re keeping secrets from each other. First the party, then the things you said to James.”
And what Carmen said about him, James warning me to leave his best friend alone . . . how could I ignore all the signs?
“It won’t work,” I concluded.
William seemed to agree. He bowed his head without answering.
