I watch Blair flip her hair over her shoulder before pulling a tube of lip gloss out of her purse. Her younger sister Bonnie bounces around her, and Blair rolls her eyes while she slides the gloss over her luscious mouth.
My chest clenches, and a jolt zaps my fucking nerves at the sight of her perfect pink mouth.
And then my stupid phone buzzes in my pocket again.
Cal: Where are you?
Shit.I stare at it for a second too long.
Me: Concordia. Same as you.
I’m nowhere near Concordia right now, and this might be the first time I’ve ever lied to my brother about something this important.
Cal: Where at in Concordia?
Me: Just around. Trying to keep moving, you know? Not staying in one place for too long.
Cal: What are you seeing?
Fuck me. What is this, an interrogation?
I glance up. Blair laughs at something Bonnie says again. Devney doesn’t laugh but gives a small smile, and I reckon that makes her a regular comedian. And they head to the next store.
Me: Uh…nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing to worry about.
Cal: Worcester was quiet when I was there. No tails on me coming or going. Kylie hasn’t bolted.
Me: How’s Rook?
Cal: He’s good, actually.
Me: So…it’s working out?
Cal: Well, fuck yeah, it’s working out. Fated mates, bro.
Fated mates, bro. Yeah. Fucking tell me about it.
I look up from my phone on instinct, and Blair, her sister Bonnie, and her mom walk back out of a store and head to the next one. Must have been a disappointing showing in there.
Cal: You seen Holland?
Me: No.
Cal: Well, if you see him, keep eyes on him. If he moves, I want to know.
I type back with my thumb without looking down, watching the sun bounce off Blair Windsor’s hair and her pretty fucking skin instead.
Me: You got it.
Across the street, Blair stops near a window display, adjusting her coat while Devney prattles on about some dress she thought Blair should’ve bought.
My phone buzzes for what feels like the millionth fucking time.
Cal: Change of plans, let’s meet up now. Describe the scene.
I hesitate. He wants to know where I amright now.
Shit.
