Page 239 of Ruthless Court

We stand.

At the end of the aisle, Lila appears holding six romance novels and one book about emotional boundaries.

“I found something for Hannah.”

She holds up the boundaries book.

I stare at her.

Noor starts laughing.

“You two are unbearable.”

Lila drops it into my basket.

“Bookstore therapy.”

I carry it to the register with the archaeology book.

Careful without disappearing.

Interested without being useful.

Seen without becoming a story that belongs to everyone else.

I don’t know how to do any of that yet.

But for the first time, I wonder whether Kane might let me learn.

* * *

Despite our flirty texts, I didn’t see him for the rest of the weekend.

My glasses are armor.

That is what I tell myself while standing at the front of Professor Aldridge’s seminar room with twelve pages of notes, four sharpened pencils, and a point guard who looks like he dressed specifically to ruin my concentration.

Kane walks in two minutes before class.

Backward black cap.

White T-shirt stretched across his shoulders.

Black athletic pants slung low on his hips.

Fresh from practice, judging by the damp ends of his hair and the duffel hanging from one hand.

His gaze finds me before he acknowledges anyone else.

Then his mouth curves.

Not the camera smile.

The one that belongs to me now.

Private. Arrogant. Dangerous.

“Morning, Footnote.”