Page 145 of Zero Chance

Xander had to hug me goodbye.Then Thane shook my hand, bidding me a special goodnight before Oaklynn surprised me when she came bouncing up to hug me as well, only to whisper into my ear, “Damien told me the exciting news.Congrats.You’ll never be bored with Keene, that’s for sure.”

She pulled back to send Keene a stern glance and tapped his arm threateningly.“Hey, be good to her.This woman saved my life.”

“Excuse me,” he muttered, scowling back and clutching his chest as if he’d been hurt.“I plan to beamazingto her, thank you very much.”

And he was.

After he drove me back to my MINI Cooper, he followed me home to make sure I got there okay, honking briefly in goodbye as he drove past.

Then, I woke the next morning to a text from him, wishing me good morning.And after that, he checked in throughout the day, complaining about everything his friends were making him do, including getting him to help move a new couch up to the second floor of Foster’s apartment building.His complaints were hilarious and made me laugh, but I wrote back my sympathies, which he seemed to appreciate.

The next night he asked if I wanted to eat supper with him at his Nana and Grandpa Dugger’s house.But first, we had to stop by to see his Gram and Pop-Pop on the Laterman side.

It was weird meeting the parents of the ghost who liked to follow me around work and reshelve nearly every book I put away.But it was also depressing that the Latermans didn’t know their daughter was still around, even though I completely understood Keene’s reason for not telling them.

Aside from that, all four grandparents treated me as if I were some rare, golden treasure that needed fawning over.I guess Keene had never brought a girl home to meet them before, and it was frankly disconcerting how much attention they paid me because I still wasn’t a fan of so much scrutiny.But with Keene present, it was okay.Besides, they were all sweethearts, and it was obvious they adored their Keene, so I enjoyed myself, too.

By Monday, I was ready for the other shoe to drop, certain Keene was going to tell me he’d just been joking about the whole dating thing, or he’d ignore me on campus because he hadn’t wanted anyone else to know about us.

But he texted me good morning—for the third day in a row—then found me at lunchtime, making me and Xander sit at his table with him and his friends in the student union, and finally, he joined me at the library about five minutes after I started my evening shift, plopping onto the counter in his usual spot, and grinning his usual Keene grin.

“Howdy, darlin’.So here I am.What’re your other two wishes?”

I glanced up, blinking in utter confusion.“What?”

When our gazes met, he winked before saying a little too loudly for my taste, “I hope you have maps in this place because I think I just got lost in your eyes.”

A few scoffs around the library lobby had me glancing around to realize he’d gained people’s attention, notably some members of the basketball crowd who were obligated to come here to study together every Monday night.During my shift, unfortunately.They were always loud and rowdy and left the worst messes for me to clean up.Jerks.

Returning my scowl to Keene, I hissed, “What’re you doing?And get down.Why do youalwayshave to sit there?”

Keene remained unperturbed by my bitching.If anything, his grin only grew as if he got off on my irritation.And leaning closer, he dramatically clutched his heart with both hands.“Because it’s close to you,” he said.

I shuddered and melted, unable to help myself.

He groaned.“Dammit, Waves.Stop looking at me like that.I haven’t been inside you since Friday, and I’m feeling it.”

My stomach muscles fluttered, and all my parts went tingly with excitement.

Not changing the look in my eyes one iota, I said, “I like it when you call me Waves.”

It was a pet name I could get behind one hundred percent.

Keene’s gaze heated.“Do you now?”

When I nodded slowly, he whimpered.“When are we going to get some alone time again?”

I bit my lip and cringed.“Probably not until Wednesday.”

“Wednesday?”he cried.“No.I can’t wait that long.”

When I reached up to touch his face sympathetically, his eyelids went heavy.“Why don’t you stop by for a quickie on your way home from work tonight?”he cajoled.“You get off at ten, right?That’s over an hour of sweet lovings before you gotta head home again.”Moving his mouth to my ear, he whispered, “I swear, I’ll make it worth your while.”

With another shiver, I glanced into his eyes and groaned.“Dammit.Nowyoustop doing that,” I warned.“I can’t tonight.I have a paper to write for my psychology class.”

“Ugh.”He slumped away from me, looking extremely put out.“Why do we have to go to classes and have homework again?”

“To secure a good job after graduation,” I reported dutifully as I turned my attention to my minimum-wage work in front of me.

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