But then why did he sound so upset just now? And why didn’t he try to track me down at school today?

Pushing aside my fears, I call Val.

* * *

Val agrees. I’m a bit shocked by how willing she is to talk to Wade, but I guess maybe she doesn’t regret this weekend’s hook-up as much as she let on at school earlier.

Now it’s just a matter of working on Steve, which I waste no time doing. I wander past the bedroom he’s using as his office, purposely walking very, very slowly as I pretend to talk into the phone.

“I’m not ready for that!” I say loudly. “Ugh. I’m hanging up now. Later, Val.”

Then I heave the biggest, most exaggerated sigh.

Sure enough, the aggravated sound lures Steve out of his office. “Everything okay?” he asks in concern.

“It’s fine,” I mutter. “Val is just being crazy.”

A smile plays on his lips. “And why’s that?”

“She wants me to—” I deliberately cut myself off. Then I grumble. “It’s nothing. Forget it. I’m going to the kitchen. I’m thirsty.”

Steve chuckles and follows me downstairs, which was what I was hoping for. “You can talk to me, you know. I’m your father—I’ve got wisdom to dispense. Lots of it.”

I roll my eyes. “Now you sound like Val. She was trying to offer me her ‘wisdom,’ too.” I air-quote that.

“I see. What about?”

“It’s guy stuff, okay?” I wander toward the fridge to grab a bottle of water. “You don’t want to hear it.”

His eyes instantly narrow. “You’re not seeing Reed anymore?” It’s voiced as a question, but we both know he means it as a statement.

“No. That’s over.” I tighten my jaw. “Thanks to you.”

“Ella—”

“Whatever, Steve. I get it. You don’t want me seeing Reed. And I’m not. You won, all right?”

He lets out a frustrated breath. “It’s not a matter of winning or losing. It’s about me wanting to protect you.” He braces both hands on the granite countertop. “That boy might go to prison, Ella. That’s not something either of us can ignore.”

“Whatever,” I mumble again. Then I straighten my shoulders and paste on a defiant look. “But me dating the school quarterback? I bet you’d be all over that, right?” I make a noise of disgust. “Of course you would, because it’s not Reed.”

He blinks. “I don’t understand.”

“Wade Carlisle asked me to go to a movie tonight,” I say darkly. “That’s what Val and I were arguing about. She thinks I should go, but I said no.”

Steve’s forehead gets a deep groove in it. His gaze becomes thoughtful, then shrewd. “You said no,” he echoes.

“Yes, I said no!” I slam my water bottle on the counter. “I’m still into Reed, in case you haven’t figured it out.”

That calculated gleam in his eyes deepens. “Sometimes the best way to get over someone is to go out with someone else.”

“Great advice.” I shrug. “Too bad I’m not doing that. I’m not interested in Wade Carlisle.”

“Why not? He comes from a good family. He’s part of a school team.” Steve lifts a brow. “He’s not being investigated for murder.”

He’s a man-ho. He’s interested in my best friend. He’s Reed’s best friend.

There are a million reasons why I shouldn’t go out with Wade, but for Steve’s sake, I pretend to consider it. “I guess. But I hardly know him.”

“Isn’t that the point of a date?” he counters. “To get to know someone?” Steve clasps both hands and laces his fingers together. “I think you should go.”

“Since when?” I challenge. “You don’t want me dating, remember?”

“No, I don’t want you dating Reed,” he corrects. “Look, Ella. I love the Royal boys to death—I’m their godfather, for God’s sake—but they’ve been screwed up ever since their mother died. They don’t have good heads on their shoulders, and I don’t think they’re the best influence for you, all right?”

I stare back defiantly.

“And while I don’t think you need to be in a serious relationship at your age, I’d rather that you experienced what else was out there before you declared your undying love to Reed Royal,” Steve says dryly.

I still don’t answer.

“Wade Carlisle… He wants to take you to a movie, you said?”

Reluctantly, I nod.

“Tonight?”

Another nod.

Steve nods back. “As long as you’re back by eleven, I’m fine with you going.”

Oh, so it’s eleven now? Funny how the curfew was ten when I was with Reed. Am with Reed. We’re still together, for Pete’s sake. Steve just doesn’t know that.

“I don’t know…” I feign reluctance again.

“Think about it,” he encourages as he edges to the doorway. “If you decide to go, let me know.”

I wait until he’s out of the room before letting my smile surface. It takes a huge effort not to break out in a happy dance. Instead, I slip my phone out of my pocket and text Reed.

It’s a go. Tell W to be here at 7.

25

Ella

At seven o’clock sharp, the concierge rings our suite to tell us that Wade Carlisle is here.

“Let him up,” Steve says into the phone, then disconnects and appraises the outfit I’ve chosen for my “date.”

I decided to go with a wholesome look, so I’m wearing skinny jeans, a flowy gray sweater, and black boots with no heel. My hair is down and pulled away from my face with two green barrettes. I look nauseatingly cute.

Clearly, Steve approves. “You look great.”

“Thanks.” I pretend to toy nervously with the hem of my sweater. “I don’t know about this date.”

“You’ll have fun,” he says firmly. “It’ll be good for you.”

A knock on the door has both of us walking toward it. Steve reaches it first and opens it, and we find Wade standing in the doorway with a polite smile on his handsome face.