Page 66 of Unwritten Rules

“Didn’t think you got so offended so easily.”

He chortled. “Could say the same about you.”

No one said anything else while we ate in silence at the table. What would we say? It was true we didn’t know each other so well but knew how to effortlessly push each others’ buttons. We’d only observed each other for the short time that the semester had been going. Me, judging him. Him, watching me in whatever weird way he did.

I may have been quick to misjudge him, but I didn’t have to like him. Tolerating him would have to do.

I sighed into my cold piece of pizza. “I can’t sleep.”

“Same.”

My fingers idly poked at what was left in the box, hoping it would spark some inspiration for something–anything. The only light in the house was the dim light from the kitchen nightlight and whatever moonlight there was from the window. It was perfect for winding down and sleeping, but my body was not having any of it.

His usual smirk appeared across from me. “What is it, Blondie?”

“Please stop with the ‘Blondie’ stuff.” I shook off a shiver that ran off my spine. The cold, I told myself. Itwascold as hell inside.

“You look like you want to ask me something.” He ripped off the end of another breadstick. “I can see that look you get on your face. Right here. Yep, that spot. It does this cute little thing, and it shows your brain working overtime.”

He made me want to roll my eyes every time he opened his mouth. “I’m going back to bed. It’s cold and my feet hurt.”

His interest perked up at the wordbedand I knew I fucked up. “I’ll join you. I don’t mind being a space heater.”

Him? In my bed? No way, no how. That was asking for dangeranddeath. I couldn’t handle him in my room for two seconds before shoving my face onto his when he taunted me. If he was in my bed...

“No funny business.”

Surprise painted his face. He looked genuinely floored. “And here you were, yelling at me about how I was just going to make you a notch in my belt.”

“Don’t make me take it back.”

“Alright. Let’s go,” he said, holding out his hand to mine.

Surely, I would regret that. I regretted it when I sat down on my bed and pulled my legs up to my chest. My room, invaded byhimof all people. Again. That closet over there was where I kissed him.Ikissed him, and that was my choice to make.

“Earlier,” I started, “I didn’t mean to outright attack you.”

“Wow,” he gasped. “You’re apologizing?”

I shoved him a little. “I can take that back, too.”

“Fine, fine.” He held his hands up and settled in next to me. “I’ve also never been this challenged by a girl and it made me angry.”

Yeah, right. “That can’t be true.”

“You’re like this maddening impossible little puzzle.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Sorry that taking someone out on real dates issohard on you.”

We laid back in bed and stared at the ceiling. The situation we were in was new to me–business and personal wise. Being pursued by the biggest player I’ve ever seen was weird in itself. Add on strange corporate, elitist drama and you have a situation I should have put on my bingo card for this year.

“Everything feels like it’s crumbling right now,” I muttered.

“Welcome to the life of never-ending shit.”

Not being able to look at him while talking was better; he always staredintome while we talked. “It feels like my mom is dying all over again. I don’t do well in these situations. Escapism made me feel better when shit hit the fan, but I’m guessing I won’t be able to escape this time. That’s the part that is freaking me out and making me feel trapped. And don’t even get me started on my aunt...”

“And here I was thinking we were so different. Your escapism looks different than mine, but it’s still escaping all the same.”

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