Page 16 of The Darkest Note

It’s sad the way my brother can’t get over that one night with her—a night Miss Jamieson made sure to call a ‘mistake’ when she found out that Zane was barely legalanda student at her new school.

Since then, she pretends he doesn’t exist and Zane pretends that flirting with her is just a ploy to piss her off.

“Miss Jamieson,” Zane says, easing into the practiced smile that usually leads to a girl getting on her back.

“Mr. Cross.” Our Lit teacher stops in front of him, the only sign of her discomfort is the way she tightens her hands on her books. “I see you and your brothers have returned from tour.”

Zane holds her gaze and steps closer. “Did you miss me?”

Her lips curl up, but it’s not the smile of a gullible cheerleader or a fanatic groupie who’s blinded by Zane’s good looks. It’s a polite, tight-lipped smile with an undercurrent of annoyance.

“I missed you about as much as you probably missed doing your homework. Which,” she lifts a finger, “by the way, your reports are still due at the end of the month.”

Zane steps up to her. His eyes are roving her face as if he’s trying to inscribe it in his memory. His lips curl up. He doesn’t hide how much he likes what he’s seeing.

Not only that.

He’s not hiding how much he wants to be close to her.

I’m not used to that glimmer of affection in his gaze. Zane never lets anyone near enough to get under his skin.

“I might need a little help,” Zane whispers. “You know. After-hours.”

“Then I suggest you get a tutor,” she says, stepping back. Her teeth sink into her bottom lip.

He tilts his head. “I’d rather learn from the source.”

Her eyes narrow on him. “I’m sorry, but I’m very busy, Mr. Cross.”

“Call me, Zane.” He leans close. “You did that night.”

Her eyes widen and her books splatter out of her hands. They fall to the ground in a loud thud.

Everyone around us turns to watch.

Miss Jamison’s skin would probably be on fire if she wasn’t such a dark complexion. When she feels all the eyes lingering on her, she firms her shoulders. Flames pour from her gaze and she wrenches away the books that Zane picks up.

“Thank you,” she says loud enough for everyone to hear. Then she lowers her voice and snarls, “Mention that night again and I’ll take it as your confession of love to me.” She breathes out. “And before you do so I have to remind you that I date men, not little boys. You’re not a candidate.”

Finn and I both arch an eyebrow.

Zane blinks in a dazed shock.

Miss Jamison’s heels click on the tiles as she turns sharply and saunters away, her curls bouncing against her back.

I’m slightly impressed. Miss Jamieson knows who we are at Redwood Prep and she’s not afraid to push back at Zane. It takes guts to throw his feelings back in his face without fear of the consequences.

Zane points in her direction. “Did she just…”

“Yeah.” Finn slaps his shoulder.

I shake my head. The entire situation is forbidden and messed up and so full of drama that it’s no wonder Zane’s embroiled in the scandal. Of course, he would pick a teacher over all the easy women who’d love to be chased by him.

“Even if you graduated tomorrow, you’re never tapping that again,” I say, closing Zane’s jaw and steering him away before he smacks into an open locker.

He snarls at me. “Who said I wanted to?”

Finn just smirks secretly.

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