Ashton’s eyes widen.“You didn’t tell me you kissed Quinn.”
“Quinn, okay,” Nova says, repeating her name, “and you knew about her?”She’s staring at Ashton, confused.
“I was in the car waiting for his ass to take me home.”
“I'll bet you won’t ask for a ride from me again after a game,” I say.It isn’t intended to be harsh, but it certainly comes out that way.I’m pissed that Harper brought up Quinn, and even more upset that Ashton had to continue the conversation instead of being a friend and helping defend what happened.He was there after the game.He saw her outside in the cold.Was I supposed to leave her to freeze to death?
“Please don’t fight on my birthday,” Nova says, staring at me, giving me that look that could break hearts.
“I’m not fighting,” I say.
“Could have fooled me,” Ashton quips.“So, you two aren’t dating?”He looks from Harper to me, and I swear there’s a glint in his eye, like he’s feeling hopeful.
I stand, ready to defend the fact that Harper ismine.Even if we’re not dating, there’s zero chance of Ashton getting his hands on her.
“Sit down,” Harper snarls at me, and I swear I can see steam emanating from her.
Or maybe it’s the fire that’s wafting in her direction.Could be a bit of both, actually.
“We’re taking things at a glacial pace,” Harper says, her tone much calmer than her snap at me seconds earlier.
“That’s putting it mildly,” I say.Although she’s right, glacial does seem to be explaining our dating style, if you can even call in that.We’ve kissed, and it was everything I could have imagined, but so much better.And I crave more.I know she does too, so what’s holding her back?
“Maybe if you didn’t kiss Quinn, it wouldn’t be so glacial,” Nova says pointedly.
I can’t believe Nova is defending Harper instead of me.She ought to know that I haven’t been bringing Quinn or anyone else around this semester.She’s over often enough to see that the only girl I’m hanging around is Harper.
“I’m just protecting my heart,” Harper whispers, but I hear her, and I’m pretty sure everyone around the campfire catches her whisper along with the wind.
“Luca won’t hurt you,” Nova says, her voice just as soft, “and if he does, I’ll kill him myself for you.”
My little sister glares at me.
“Point taken,” I say and exhale a heavy sigh.
“Hey, boyfriend,” Harper teases, handing me the hot poker hovering over the fire with the marshmallow slowly roasting.“Your mom mentioned hot cocoa.Do you think I could go inside and make some?”She stands, stretching her legs while I take the metal stick she’s been holding from her and continue roasting her marshmallow.
I really don’t want her to go inside the house alone.
“Can it wait until this is done?”I ask, nodding toward the marshmallow.“It’ll just be another minute.Then I’ll go inside with you, and we can make hot chocolate together.”
“How romantic,” Nova teases, “but she’s my friend and I’ll make hot chocolate with her.”She stands and gestures for Harper to follow her into the house.
“I’m going to eat your marshmallow if it gets done,” I threaten playfully.
Harper shrugs.“There’s more.I saw the huge bag.I’m not worried.”She follows Nova inside, and I momentarily hold my breath, watching them enter the compound.
“You okay?”Ashton asks.It’s just the two of us outside, although we’re never really alone.There are cameras around the entire house, inside and out.
“Fine,” I say, lying to Ashton.I can’t explain it to him; he wouldn’t understand.Yes, his father is mafia, but he’s talked about following in his footsteps when he finishes school, working for the family business.It’s why he’s in college, majoring in Criminology, with a minor in Forensic Accounting.It all sounds boring as fuck to me.
Less than two minutes later, I hear the girls chatter, and I glance over my shoulder as they approach.“That was weird,” Nova says.
“Is he usually like that?”Harper asks, his brow pinched as they stalk back to the fire.Harper sits back down beside me, holding out her hand for the hot poker, which now has a perfectly roasted marshmallow waiting for her.
Except I decide to be a bit of an ass and pull the marshmallow off, bringing it to my lips.
“Hey!That’s mine!”Her eyes widen in horror.
