Page 534 of Bad Prince
That actually gives me pause.
He sees it and smiles like a man who enjoys watching doors crack open.
“Three,” he says, “you make Vale twitch.”
I straighten.
“I do not care if Tristan twitches.”
“Sure.”
“I don’t.”
He leans down slightly, lowering his voice just enough to make the moment feel conspiratorial.
“But you care if the whole campus stops acting like you’re the sad girl in the background.”
That lands.
Clean.
Annoyingly clean.
Because yes.
I do care about that.
I care about not being looked at like a cautionary tale.
I care about walking into a room without people softening their mouths in sympathy.
I care about being Isa Calloway again instead of the almost-girl who got edged out by a better love story.
Drew sees me thinking and presses his advantage immediately.
“Also,” he adds, “I’m fun.”
I look him up and down.
“No, you’re not. You’re a human head injury.”
He puts a hand over his heart.
“You know exactly how to flirt with me.”
“I am not flirting with you.”
“Yet.”
My eyes narrow to slits.
He grins wider.
God, he’s unbearable.
Big.
Loud.
