Page 26 of Scarlett and the Kiss Thief

“Cutting it close today, I see,” he said. “Better get to class. Both of you.”

“Yes, Mr. Hill.”

He gave me a curt nod before walking into his classroom.

I breathed a sigh of relief. But it was short lived because the bell rang.Shit.

Sophie looped her arm through mine and we ran to first period.

***

I expected Axel to talk to me when I sat down across from him at lunch. But he was preoccupied with something on his phone.

Axel, you held my hand.

In front of everyone.

I’m wearing your varsity jacket.

Look at me.

But his eyes were glued to his screen.

“Bad news,” Sophie said as she sat down next to me. “Apparently I can’t get out of our coding class because I specifically requested it. And our guidance counselor didn’t seem to understand the fact that I 100% wouldn’t have requested it if I knew my uncle was teaching it. Isn’t there some kind of rule about that? It could totally lead to favoritism.”

“My dad wouldn’t do that. And it’s going to be fine. I for one am happy you’re not switching out. It’s our only class with the four of us all together.”

Sophie sighed. “I know.” Her frown instantly turned into a smile. “By the way, I love that jacket on you.”

Not at all subtle.I glanced at Axel, but he still wasn’t paying us any attention.

“Really, you look smoking hot today even though your dad is a total control freak.”

I laughed. “Thanks.”

“Are you cold or something?” Jacob asked as he sat down next to me.

“Hm?”

“It’s hot out. It still feels like summer. Aren’t you overheated?”

“Oh.” I looked down at the jacket. “You know what? Yeah, I am a bit.” I shrugged out of the jacket and put it on my lap.

Axel finally looked up from his phone. And he looked anything but pleased.

“Scar and I were just talking about what she should wear to the party on Friday,” Sophie said and turned back to me. “Remember that sparkly dress you bought in the spring? You’ve never worn it. And it’s a total winner.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I said. There was a reason I’d never worn it. Sophie had talked me into getting it when I was about to put it back. It was too short. Too sparkly. Just too much everything. But it would certainly stand out…

“I need access to the blueprints of your apartment,” RJ said as he plopped down at our table. Liam sat down too. I wasn’t sure if them sitting with us was a one-time thing or not. But I was happy they’d decided to join us again today.

“I…don’t know how or where I’d get those,” I said.

“No worries.” He pulled out his phone. “I’ll figure it out. And if not, I’ll wing it. I already have all the other necessary supplies.”

“What necessary supplies?”

“Don’t worry about it, baby doll. I’ve got it covered. Why do you and Liam not have them though? That’s so weird.”

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