No doubt this is about Eric Harling.
Her voice is trembling with contained rage, “Why did you buy him a gift?”
My smile is small. “Because we’re such good friends, duh.”
A shudder rinses through Asta, her slender fingers curling into a rigid fist on the table.
“What did you get him?”
I arch a brow. “You don’t know?”
A darkness is coiling in her, tightening her face as she leans closer to me. “He’s saving it for a special day,” she whispers the words like a loaded blizzard coming my way. “Must be quite a special gift.”
So wear it on a generous day, when the stars shine brightest for you.
It wasn’t said with kindness.
Eric heard the message and, just to be a dick, is going along with it, like it’s some sort of snide payback at me.
I scoff and turn my cheek to her. “It’s not.”
The machine beeps, ready, and I shove my two cups onto the grate.
I hit the button.
Finally, that rich brown brew of coffee beans flows out from the chrome pourers.
“It’s not special?” she challenges. “Then why does he think it is?”
I turn a smile on her. “Because he’s only gentry.”
There’s a disbelieving scoff behind me and something that sounds a lot like “bitch” muttered under a breath.
I pour the almond milk.
Asta watches my movements, closely, intensely, but her mind is whirring behind her eyes, doubting herself, doubting me, doubting Eric.
“I don’t want him.” That confession flutters her lashes—and for a moment, I think her face is softening. “I only ever wanted asafety net,” I add, then steal the cups into my hands. “It’s clear to me now that I don’t get that. So sleep easy, Asta, I’m not coming for your man.”
Her gaze follows me. But she doesn’t.
Landon does.
12
Landon is snatching me by my bicep before I reach the corridor to the staircase.
His sudden strong grip wobbles the cups in my hands, spills trails of hot coffee down my searing skin, and splashes down on the dark walnut polish of the floorboards.
I turn a look on him, the corners of my mouth tucked into my cheeks.
“Where are you running off to?” There’s a breathlessness to his question, like he raced around to find me after I left the mess hall.
“Bed.”
His full grin spreads around bright white teeth. “Don’t think so. Slopes,” he adds with a glittering wink. “Get dressed. I’ll meet you back down here.”
My face falls. “Not today—”
