Page 58 of Built to Fall
I try to ignore the way my stomach does a stupid flip again when I catch his eyes. The way my heart skips a little bit faster when his grin shifts into something a little more knowing. I want to stay mad at him for making me feel like this, but the more I try, the harder it becomes.
“You know, not that I ever imagined this, but since we’ve already been conned into matching costumes, I really would have expectedyouto be the devil out of the two of us.” Grant’s smile is slow, all teeth and trouble. “But I’ve gotta say, this view is probably a lot better.”
I roll my eyes, grabbing a plastic cup and filling it with whatever alcoholic concoction is in the punch bowl. “Do you have a line for every girl who shows up in a revealing costume?”
He leans against the counter next to me, far too casual for the chaos around us. “I thought I already told you I’m completelyunscripted.” His voice dips, teasing. “You trying to kill me tonight, Lina?”
“You’re ridiculous.” I take a sip of the drink and try not to look directly at him.
He opens his mouth, then hesitates, like whatever he’s about to say actually matters.
He’s quiet for a long moment. When I finally glance up, he’s watching me, his eyes dilating slightly. “You look good,” he says, softer this time. “Reallygood.”
“Well, I guess that’s what happens when your friends ambush you with a costume made up of almost entirely lingerie.”
His eyes flicker, something unreadable there. “They’re smarter than I gave them credit for.”
“Don’t flirt with me, Grant.”
“Is it flirting if I’m just saying what’s true?” He steps closer.
“I’m getting drunk,” I tell him blandly.
He tucks his lips into his mouth, like he’s trying to hold in a laugh. “I assumed that was your intention the moment you started drinking the party punch.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t lead to me losing this robe,” I joke.
Grant’s eyes flare, and I’m sure the step he takes toward me is involuntary, but it’s enough for me to notice. ‘Trust me, Evangelina, that won’t be happening.”
I reel back, unblinking. “How do you know my full name?” I’ve only ever been referred to asLinaaround him—around anyone.
Racking my brain, I try to think of a time when Grant could have discovered my full name. I know I didn’t forget; I remember everything.
Conversations embed themselves into my brain. The only time I’ve ever forgotten anything was?—
The ambulance ride.Thathasto be it.
“Wild guess.” His answer isn’t at all convincing, though, and it only confirms my suspicions.
“You don’t get to act possessive over me, Grant.”
His jaw ticks, just barely. “Wasn’t trying to.”
“You should go,” I tell him, quieter now.
“Tell me to walk away,” he says, not moving. “Reallytell me. Otherwise I’m staying right here.”
It’s a dare, and I don’t say a word.
Neither does he.
And as unexpected as it may seem, Grant Vandenberg stays within arm’s length of me for the rest of the night, watching me get absolutely shitfaced.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
GRANT
The night’s chaos fades into a steady hum of the party around me, but my focus stays on Lina.
