Page 415 of Bad Prince

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“We can solve that.”

I frown.

“We?”

“I’ll put a plane on it.”

I stare at him.

Jade doesn’t even blink.

“Obviously.”

I laugh in disbelief.

“You can’t just?—”

“Yes, I can,” Leo says. “Leave in the morning. Be back the next day. It’s a dance, not a hostage situation.”

“If coaches find out?—”

Leo gives me a look. “What exactly are they finding out? That you left campus on an off window to take a girl to an event?”

I open my mouth.

Close it.

Jade folds her arms, satisfied that I’m weakening.

“You’re not sneaking off to get married, Tristan. You’re taking her to a dance.”

Leo leans closer to the camera, voice dry now.

“And unless the NCAA has passed emergency legislation against being romantic for twelve hours, I think you’ll survive.”

I laugh before I can stop it.

Which is apparently all the encouragement they need.

Jade claps once.

“Great. So we’re doing this.”

“Hang on.”

“No,” she says. “You hang on. I’m already thinking three steps ahead.”

Leo is grinning again, full rich-boy menace now.

“I’ll send you times.”

I drag a hand over my face and look toward the ceiling, because somehow I have gone from postgame shower to private-flight logistics in under six minutes.

Then another thought hits me and I look back at the screen.

“They won,” I say slowly. “That means they should have a bye before the next round.”

Jade points at me.

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