Which I must be allergic to. That’s the only explanation for the weird tingly feeling I’m getting in my chest. It’s too warm and uncomfortable.
He smirks. “Didn’t think I’d do it, did you?”
“No.” Abruptly, I turn my attention back on the textbook, which is closed. I open it and pretend to read.
“Is this taken?” He points at an empty seat next to me.
Oh no. “There are plenty of seats over there. Next to the sorority girls, who will probably be more to your liking.” Sadie’s there too, and maybe they can discuss going to that gala thing she wanted him to take her to. I’m sure she’d be thrilled if he offered to buy her dinner.
He glances over, then makes a face. “No thanks.”
As he lowers himself into the seat next to me, I can’t help staring. Is he just obtuse?
Sadie jumps up and struts toward us, her golden ponytail swishing left and right. “Hey, Grant!We’re all sitting over there.” Her tone says he could do better than sitting next to me. And for once, I agree with her.
“I’m good,” he says.
Sadie turns her attention to me. “Why are you sitting here?”
“Ialwayssit here.”
She pulls back, obviously stunned. To hide her initial reaction, she rolls her eyes with an exaggerated sigh. “Youneed to move.”
I bare my teeth. “Make me.”
Her lips tighten, and calculations are taking place in her head. She’s probably trying to figure out if she can successfully force me.
“You should go back to your seat,” Grant says.
Yes. And you go with her.
“But I need to talk to you!” Sadie whines.
“Whatever—just take your conversation away from me,” I say. Her perfume is starting to give me a headache.
“If you continue to bother me,” Grant says to Sadie, “I’m going to get a restraining order.”
She pulls back like he just slapped her. “What?”
“Stalking, excessive texting, excessive calling, trying to talk to me when I don’t want to…” He shrugs. “The family lawyer will have a lot to work with.”
“But we’re dating!”
They are?He isn’t acting like a boyfriend.
“No, you ‘dumped’ me. Remember?” he says.
“That was a misunderstanding!”
Grant gives her a look. “I didn’t misunderstand anything.”
Huh. So maybehedumpedher? I wonder if it happened before or after I saw him at the polo practice… And what would make a girl like Sadie throw away her pride and cling to him like this? Doesn’t she know some other guy who can take her to the gala?
Grant sighs. “Sadie,everyoneis watching.”
She flinches, then glances at her crowd. All they need is a tub of popcorn. Her cheeks flaming, she walks away stiffly.
“I don’t mind if you want to sit with her.” I feign disinterest, although all my senses are hyperalert to every move he makes.
