Page 96 of Wicked Prince

"I can take it on the go," I say, eagerly getting up. I'm not about to stick around any longer than I have to. I can't help but let my curiosity get the best of me, though. "Where's everyone else?"

"Dad's at work, Mom went out, and Lorenzo had work to take care of," Kayleigh answers. I can tell she's not thrilled I'm asking about Lorenzo, even if it is indirectly. "He'll be at the party, though. 8 o'clock?" she asks, shifting her attention back to Stefan.

"We'll see you there," he says as he stands, much to her chagrin.

We leave the house, and once we make it to his car, he pauses to get the door for me.

"Sleep well?"

At first, the question catches me off guard. I tell myself I'm just being paranoid. There's no way in hell he could have any idea what Lorenzo and I got up to last night. And even if he did, he's not the kind of guy who would comment on it.

I have to admit, Lorenzo's words last night did get to me a little. In the light of day, though, and under the high wattage of Stefan's bright smile, that feels paranoid, too.

I don't doubt that Lorenzo believes it, but…

What if the rumors are true?

I decide I'm at least going to take his advice and ask Anthony about it, and I’ll withhold judgment until then.

"Yeah," I say with a smile. "How about you?"

"About as well as I could with all the noise," he says. When he sees me gaping at him, he adds, "The thunder. You didn't hear it?"

"Oh. Right," I mumble, slipping into the backseat. "Guess I'm just a sound sleeper."

Now that was a close one.

The drive back to campus is strangely quiet. Stefan seems to be in a pensive mood, even though it doesn't seem like a bad one. I'm kind of lost in thought myself, so it's something I notice in passing more than anything.

When we pull up in front of my dorm, his rental car gets a few jealous looks from other students passing by.

"I could walk you in," he offers.

"That's sweet, but it's fine," I assure him. "Campus security is a huge pain in the ass about idling, anyway."

They would probably make an exception if they knew who he was, though.

He just nods. "I'll pick you up at eight, then?"

"For what?" I ask.

"The party," he says, blinking.

"Oh! Yeah, totally," I say with the awkward laugh. "Sorry. I'm a mess without my morning coffee."

He just gives me a smile, so I think that excuse saved it. I close the door and wave as he pulls off, watching until he's gone.

I really need to get my shit together, but what else is new?

Once I'm back in my dorm room, I hastily change into my work uniform and cover up with my jacket before I drive to work. I only have a four-hour shift today, but being on my feet is starting to suck. I'm exhausted all the time, and sooner or later, I know I'll have to find a different job. I've already started looking into some work-from-home gigs I can do wherever. The glories of the modern age.

Of course, there are still about a million other logistical hurdles I have to jump over, but I'm starting to think I should just cut my losses and hit the road as soon as I can. Especially with Dad not-so-subtly planning my engagement to Stefan in his head.

I get a text from Anthony on my way back from work, and I ask if he can help me pick out what to wear to the party. I figure I could probably use all the help I can get, considering I don't feel like getting snickered at by Kayleigh's crew all evening.

He's already waiting by my room, leaning against the wall with a book in hand by the time I arrive, and I jolt in surprise.

"Holy shit, are you Batman or something? How did you get here so fast?"

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