I bite down on my tongue and take it from his possession, sliding it into my pocket.
“You can rest assured; there’s nothing incriminating on her phone.”
So much for privacy. “I wasn’t concerned,” I bite and storm out of the library.
Ashton is a few seconds behind me.
“We’re heading home,” I say and head for the foyer. I lace up my sneakers and slip on my coat.
Harper is helping Zeke get bundled before going outside.
I grab his little shoes and manage to finagle them onto his feet. It’s not an easy task with a squirmy toddler who is dripping blue popsicle all over the foyer.
Dante will be thrilled, but he has staff who will clean it up for him.
I can’t ever remember Dante cleaning anything himself.
Mom comes over to say her goodbyes to us, carrying the box of popsicles I left on the counter. “Don’t want to forget these for Zeke,” she says, like I won’t be back on Friday night.
I’ve seen her more in the past couple of months than I did all of my freshman year.
“Thanks, Mom. Did Nova head back to campus yet?” I ask. I hadn’t seen her around this evening, but maybe she’s holed up in her bedroom studying.
“Moreno drove both Kensley and Nova home this afternoon.”
“See you on Friday,” I say, giving Mom a quick hug goodbye. While I’m not looking forward to returning, I’m true to my word.
I have to help Dante with the business. I’m not sure which I’m dreading more, taking on more mafia responsibilities or taking wedding photos with Harper this upcoming weekend.
Zeke falls asleep in the car, and I’m grateful for the quiet moments as we drive back to campus.
Harper is seated in back with Zeke; Ashton is up front with me.
I have the radio on low, careful not to stir Zeke. Ashton glances at me but doesn’t say anything. He’s probably watching his words, considering Harper is in the backseat.
It was dicey today.
Tomorrow probably won’t be much better.
He turns the radio slightly louder to drown out his question when he whispers to me. “Do you think she’s going to try to run away again?”
I glance in the rearview. She’s staring at her sleeping little boy and doesn’t seem to be paying us any attention.
Honestly, I hope she won’t leave me.
It’ll kill me.
But I can’t know without a doubt that she won’t get scared and flee. She’s already left once.
“Can we not talk about it?” I glance at Ashton and then shift in my seat, sighing.
“Long day,” Harper says.
I’m not sure if it’s my body language, the heavy sigh, or Ashton’s question that has her commenting.
Did she hear him?
When we get back to the house, Nova comes darting out of her bedroom, as does Liam.
