Page 124 of Saint

At least Patience has been trying to keep it to herself. She avoids me when I’m with Kole and refuses to attend any more Sigma House parties for the time being. But she stopped fighting Mila and me on this, knowing we’re going to do our own thing.

“Speaking of summer activities. How did Kole take the news that you’re going to be spending the summer in LA?” Mila leans forward on the counter, grinning at me.

I shrug. “Fine.”

“Just fine?” She glares. “You two are attached at the fucking hip lately. I’m surprised he isn’t here right now, glued to your side. I swear that man is always watching you.”

She’s not wrong about that.

But she also doesn’t realize he doesn’t need to be stuck to my side to do it. Kole watches me whether he’s here or not.

My eyes dart up to the corners of the ceiling, knowing he probably has his eyes on me now. It should make me uneasy, but it doesn’t.

“Kole was happy for me,” I say, still not sure what to make of the fact that he doesn’t mind I’ll be leaving for two months. “He even asked someone to submit a letter of recommendation on my behalf.”

“Wow.” Mila’s eyes widen as she pulls back. “That’s surprising.”

I don’t like how she seems shocked by it. Like she might be thinking it’s his way of getting rid of me. Or that could be my insecurity bubbling to the surface.

I try to ignore it, forcing a smile. “It’s thoughtful of him.”

“Thoughtful, exactly. That’s what I’m saying.” She pulls her chestnut hair up in a bun and hops up onto the kitchen counter. “Sigma Sin guys aren’t known for beingthoughtful, Violet.”

That’s true, but I’m starting to understand there’s more to Kole than just Sigma House.

“He’s Kole.” I shrug. “He does his own thing.”

“You guys sound serious.” Teal sets her phone down, surprising me by joining the conversation. “Likemore serious than you ever were with Liamserious, and you haven’t been seeing Kole nearly as long.”

“I guess.” I tease my lower lip with my teeth. “It’s different with Kole. He’s actually around, and he wants to be a part of my life. I don’t know what Liam and I were, but it wasn’t this.”

“And you don’t think it’s all moving a little fast?” Teal quirks an eyebrow up. “Especially considering what’s going on with Liam. Kole was his best friend.”

“I know.” And I wish I could explain to them why that’s not the issue, but I skate around the truth instead. “Theywerefriends. But I’m not the only person Liam left. And I’m finding out Liam had a lot of secrets. So maybe Kole and I are bonding over what’s lost. But it doesn’t really matter. He’s been there for me, and Liam wasn’t.”

Glancing around the room, I face my friends and wait for them to weigh my decisions. For them to tell me to be careful or lecture me because they’re right. We are moving fast.

But we’ve also been through more together than they realize. I don’t want to slow things down, and I get the impression he doesn’t want to either.

“Besides, who cares how fast we’re moving,” I decide. “I know you guys are worried, but I’m good. Kole gives me what I need.”

In ways my friends will never understand. If they knew a fraction of the things Kole does to me, they’d be looking at me with even more fear than his mother did.

“Well, just for the record. I’m not judging,” Mila says, kicking her heels against the counter. “Besides, Kole is hot. He’s got that whole dark, broody, dangerous vibe going for him with that scar and those eyes. So long as he’s good to our girl, then we want you to have fun. And clearly, you are…”

“Meaning?”

“Oh, come on, Vi. We’ve all heard the screaming.” Mila rolls her eyes, and Teal chuckles while Patience shakes her head. “There’s only so many times I’m going to believe you’re just watching a scary movie.”

I tense. “That obvious?”

“Yes, Violet. That fucking obvious. So, how is he…?” Mila winks, biting her lip. “You know…”

“We are not talking about my sex life.” I grab the shot that’s been sitting there and slam it.

It’s one thing to talk to the girls about my relationship, but there’s no way I can divulge anything about sex with Kole without terrifying them.

“You are no fun.” Mila rolls her eyes.

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