“That sounds like it comes from experience,” I say quietly.
“All the best warnings do.”
Heat rises to my cheeks and to avoid any further awkwardness, I speed-walk to a nearby bean bag chair. It’s oversized and impossibly comfortable. I flop down, letting out a contented sigh. But just as I start to relax, something darts past me.
I scream. “What… wasthat?”
Kai strides across the room, then crouches and in one smooth motion, he scoops up the blur of movement. When he stands, he’s holding a… creature. A long, furry, squirmy creature.
“It’s a ferret,” he says, holding it out slightly so I can get a better look. “His name is Percy.”
I blink at the wriggling animal; its beady eyes and twitching nose make it look simultaneously adorable and slightly terrifying. “You have a ferret?” I cough awkwardly. “NamedPercy?”
Kai raises an eyebrow. “Why? Is that surprising?”
“I don’t know,” I say, still staring at the creature. “It just… feels a bit off-brand for you.”
He doesn’t laugh, but the corner of his mouth twitches. “Percy was a birthday present. From Liam.”
“Ah. Makes sense,” I say, nodding. “Only Liam would think to give someone like you a ferret. I’m guessing he named it too.”
Kai shrugs, adjusting Percy in his hands. “Better than Noodle Butt.”
I burst out laughing, doubling over in the beanbag chair. “Noodle Butt?You have to be joking.”
Kai just shakes his head, muttering something under his breath as Percy climbs onto his shoulder.
There’s something about seeing Kai Steele with a ferret perched on his shoulder that doesn’t quite sit right.
It’s not bad, exactly. Just… odd.
Yet here he is, looking entirely unbothered as Percy nuzzles into his neck. The image doesn’t fit, and it throws me off so much that I can’t help but stare.
Kai eventually puts Percy down, the ferret scurrying off toward… somewhere. Kai straightens, leaning casually against the side of the pool table, his arms crossed.
“So, the project,” I start, testing the waters. “I had some ideas—”
“Adeline,” he interrupts, “you’re not here for the project.” His voice is low and steady, and if it weren’t for the words themselves, it would even seem charming.
“So… why did you bring me here?” I ask, trying not to sound as freaked out as I feel.
He doesn’t say anything at first, just tilts his head slightly, as if studying me. “Are you being threatened?” he asks finally.
I freeze.How does he know?My brain scrambles for an answer, my heart pounding against my ribs.
“Um. No?” I try, but it comes out more like a question than a denial.
Kai starts toward me.
“Okay, okay, fine!” I blurt out before he can get any closer. “It’s true. I’ve been threatened for a while now.” The realization forces words out of me before I can stop them. “But how do youknow?”
Kai stops a few feet away, relaxing me a little.
He doesn’t even pause as he shrugs. “You’re not exactly discreet.”
I blink. “What’sthatsupposed to mean?”
“You check over your shoulder too much. You tense up every time you get sent a message, and when you open your locker.” His gaze flickers down, then back up. “You’re not subtle.”
