Page 400 of Ruthless Court

“I took you to a bookstore.”

Vale holds up a finger.

“That still shocks me.”

I ignore him.

I look at Hannah.

“I like the girl who brings three books for one overnight.”

“You had practice.”

“The girl who carries emergency Twizzlers.”

“Medical necessity.”

“The girl who cries over strangers singing about their mothers and then lies about it.”

Her eyes narrow.

“You promised not to expose that.”

“I promised nothing.”

“The girl who thinks archaeology is interesting.”

“It is.”

“And the girl who made waffles for six idiots she met twelve hours ago.”

Eli lifts a hand.

“I take issue with⁠—”

“No.”

He lowers it.

Hannah’s smile softens.

My chest does something uncomfortable.

Good uncomfortable.

Dangerous.

Real.

“I like her,” I finish. “Basketball is just one more thing she’s annoyingly good at.”

Hannah looks at me for a second too long.

Then Eli ruins everything.

“Hannah.”

She glances toward him.