Page 35 of Sweet Ruin

There was a large black SUV waiting for us in the parking lot. As we approached, the driver got out of the car and stepped toward us. Matthew had offered to organize all our transport back to Rapid Bay. I still felt a little uneasy about accepting such an offer from him because I knew it would likely involve private jets and personal chauffeurs. But I couldn’t deny how convenient it made everything, not to mention the extra time I would get with my mom as a result. I’d told him we didn’t need anything extravagant, but he and I had very different definitions of the word.

“Isobel?” the driver asked.

“That’s me.”

“Great. Let me take your bags.” The poor guy seemed to regret the offer as soon as he started lifting Anna’s bags into the car. He grimaced as he heaved the first suitcase, then the second, into the trunk, but he didn’t utter one ounce of complaint.

“Seriously, Anna, you need to learn to pack better,” Cress said as she opened the side door so Anna and I could climb into the car. “My mom has a packing list for every occasion. I’m going to send it to you next time we go somewhere, or you’ll spend your whole life breaking unsuspecting drivers’ backs.”

“I guess I could take a look at it,” Anna said. “But I’m not making any promises.”

Cress was about to jump into the car after us when a shout sounded behind her. “Cress, wait up!”

I looked across the parking lot and saw Kaden jogging over to us. He skidded to a halt when he reached Cress, and her face lit up with a smile while her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink.

“I wanted to see you before you headed off for the break.” Kaden smiled back at her.

“We’ll leave you guys to chat,” I said, reaching out to pull the door closed. “Have a good Thanksgiving, Kaden.”

“You too, Isobel.” He struggled to pull his eyes from Cress as he spoke. When he was around her, it was like she was the only girl he could see.

As I closed the door, Anna let out a frustrated groan from beside me. “Now we can’t hear them,” she said. “Crack the window a bit.”

“I’m not going to crack the window.” I laughed. “Give them a minute.”

“Screw that.” She leaned over me and practically pressed her nose to the glass. Luckily though, she managed to resist the urge to open the window.

“Ooh, she’s tucking her hair behind her ear,” Anna said. “That’s like the Cress version of flashing some cleavage.”

“Anna.” I laughed. “Let them have some privacy.”

“He’s going in for the kiss,” she squealed as quietly as she could. She’d either not heard me or simply decided to ignore me. It was probably the latter. “Yep, they’re kissing. I think she likes it. Kaden looks like he gives good kisses.”

“Anna,” I groaned.

“What?” She finally turned to me.

“I don’t need a play-by-play of their make-out session.” Her running commentary was making this all much more awkward than it needed to be, but it made me curious enough to sneak a glance out the window from the corner of my eye.

She scoffed and pulled herself away from the window. “Don’t worry, they’ve finished.”

I turned my head as Cress stepped toward the car. I could see Kaden over her shoulder. There was a goofy smile on his face, and he was staring after her like a lovesick puppy.

Cress looked back and flashed him one more smile before she opened the door and got in next to me. She released a happy sigh and sank into her seat as the car started down the driveway. I glanced over my shoulder and out the window. Kaden was still standing where Cress had left him, watching the departing SUV.

I was both relieved and a little sad to see the school disappearing behind us. I couldn’t wait to get home. I was so excited to see my mom and spend Thanksgiving with her. And I was surprised to admit I was looking forward to seeing Matthew too. But Weybridge Academy had become like a second home to me and, despite all the drama, part of me was going to miss it over the break.

“I take it things are going well with you and Kaden then?” I said, turning back to face Cress. They’d been spending more and more time together this week, and I’d seen them walking between classes together.

“Kind of,” she replied. “I think I’m in love.”

“Love!” Anna gasped. “Cress, you’ve been on one date.”

“Two,” she said. “He took me out for breakfast on Sunday, so it’s two.”

“Sorry,twodates,” Anna replied with a roll of her eyes. “That’s not enough to know you’re in love.”

“Why not? When you know, you know. Isn’t that right, Isobel?”

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