Page 20 of Entangled

“I had to grab a few things,” Jace cuts her off, wary eyes shooting to me.

“Oh, cool.” She sighs happily and takes in her surroundings for the first time, eyes passing over me before darting back to do a double take. “Oh my god. You’re her.” A gasp leaves her mouth as it drops open and she stares openly.

After an uncomfortable moment passes within which the girl continues to stare at me, not saying a word. I clear my throat awkwardly as it continues. It appears I’ve broken her. But why…

It hits me then, why she’s gasping and staring. She must know who I am. Jace must have told herwho I am.

Betrayal washes through me. It’s not that I’m ashamed of who I am, my story… but it’s mine to tell. No one else’s. So seriously, fuck him and the surfboard he rode in on.

“Yeah,” I drag out, bringing my eyes back to Jace’s and feeling the heat of my anger in them. “I think I’m going to have to pass on that party.” Pushing my cart, I lower my voice and whisper as I come alongside him. “Not really down to be the tragic local celebrity at your disposal.”

I tune out whatever the girl is finally saying now that she’s regained the ability to speak and haul ass out of there. Making it halfway across the parking lot before a loudly muttered “Dammit, Tiff!” reaches me, followed by the sound of a grocery cart ripping its way across the pavement.

“El!”

Hear no evil…

“El!”

Surely if I ignore him, he’ll just disappear.

“Blondie!” I hurry to unlock Franny, quickly hauling the trunk open and practically throwing my groceries in.

“Don’t think you’re getting out of here without letting me explain!”

See no evil…

I slam my trunk shut and send my cart flying toward the parking space next to mine before running to the door, not the least bit ashamed by it. I launch myself inside, victory within my grasp, but just as I reach out to grab the handle of the door Jace brings his cart to a screeching halt beside me and slams his hand on the door to keep it open.

Quelling a groan of frustration, I collapse back into the seat and turn, seeing the way his chest is heaving with soft pants. I give him a glare and make sure my voice drips derision when I speak. “I have nothing to say to you, asshole.”

So much for speak no evil.

“That’s fine,” he pants. “Just listen.”

I watch with condemning eyes as he braces his other hand against Franny’s doorframe before dropping his head and sagging slightly.

Who’s the smarter shopper now, asshole? I just smoked your ass.

He tries and fails to start talking a few more times as he pants and I have to bite my tongue to keep from lashing out with this irrational feeling of betrayal.

“It’s not…” Pant. “What you think.” Pant. Pant.

He raises his head, firework eyes imploring me to listen.

“I didn’t tell Tiff who you are, or well your name. The Delacroix thing.” His eyes search my face, as if he’s trying to gauge whether I believe him or not so far.

I cock a brow but make sure to keep the rest of my expression firmly in check. Not giving anything away.

“It’s just…” He tips his head to the ground and sighs in frustration before looking me in the eye again. Lifting a hand, he pushes his long hair back in agitation. “Fuck. It’s hard to explain.”

Bullshit.

I quickly reach out for the handle of my door, trying to tear it from his hand but he quickly redoubles his efforts to keep it open and my failure sends me right over the edge.

“I’m pretty sure this is considered kidnapping!”

“Definitely not kidnapping, or would it be womannaping? Personnaping? I’m not sure—”

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