Page 7 of Ruthless Court

“Can you imagine the pictures?”

“What? You don’t want a framed photo with Hannah Banana and those giant glasses?”

They laugh.

My fingers rise to the tortoiseshell frames.

Mom’s lipstick feels heavy on my mouth.

Ryan leans closer to Brooke.

“She’ll probably bring a book.”

“Let her. You’ll survive one dance.”

“And you?”

“I’ll be there with the group.”

“What about pictures?”

“We’ll be careful.”

Ryan’s hand settles beside her waist without touching.

That almost makes it worse.

He knows the line.

Knows how close he can stand without giving anyone proof.

Brooke looks up at him.

“And the after-party?”

Ryan smiles down at her.

“That depends on whether Coach Goodwin makes the call first.”

She swats his chest.

“You’re terrible.”

“You like me.”

The way she looks at him answers.

So does the way he looks back.

Soft.

Unguarded.

Nothing like the careful expression he wears when he listens to me talk.

I turn away.

The first bell rings.