Page 113 of Ruthless Court

I reach for it, but she pulls it into the back seat.

Kane smiles.

“You dodged the question.”

“I answered the version that mattered.”

I climb into the car and shut the door.

He stands outside while I buckle my seat belt.

Lila starts the engine.

Before we pull away, Kane bends toward the opened window; his long arms rest on the roof of the car as he leans down close enough to kiss me, if he wanted.

“Good night, Hannah. Tell Sandy I’d like to take her out on a date if you ever see her. She can find me in the athletes quad or in class next week.”

His smile fades into something more flirtatious, he taps the roof of the car and strolls away, fists in his pocket. But just as the engine turns over he turns back. “Oh and Hannah? You really are a terrible liar stick to old pottery and dig sites. You still have a mark where the pencil you broke nicked the inside of your wrist in class.”

My face reddens. Before I can stammer out a response, Lila hits the gas.

We make it one block before Noor turns around in her seat.

“He figured out you’re Sandy.”

“Apparently.”

“You let him flirt with you while he described you to your face.”

“He didn’t describe me well.”

Lila grips the steering wheel, laughing.

“He is attracted to you twice.”

“His judgment is clearly impaired.”

“You should have told him,” Noor says.

“Why?”

“Because this is going to explode. By trying to hide it—you intrigued him more. Did you see the way he looked at you? Even I’m breathless and⁠—”

“Don’t finish that sentence…” I warn.

“I was just going to say—sweaty.”

I look through the rear window.

Kane remains beneath the streetlight, watching our car disappear.

“No,” I say. “Neve going to happen. Not with him.”

Lila glances at me. “What are you waiting for are you crazy?”

I settle into the seat and rescue the last fry from the container.

“Watching Kane Haverhill become attracted to the same woman twice may be the closest I ever get to conducting a scientific experiment.”