Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(48)

Bryn raised an eyebrow at him.

“Clint and Ivy should be here any minute,” Zavien added.

This was news to her. “Sorry, Garret. What about tomorrow afternoon?”

“Fine.” He stalked off.

She shut the door and turned back to Zavien. “Are we shopping, or did you say that to annoy Garret?”

“We’re shopping. Annoying Garret was a bonus.”

She took a quick shower and put on her favorite jeans, a soft T-shirt, and—thank the Lord—tennis shoes. Not wearing dress clothes was heaven.

When she walked into the living room, Zavien tilted his head and studied her T-shirt. “Is that Munch’s ‘The Scream’?”

Bryn held her shirtfront out. “Do you like it?”

“It’s appropriate. I’ve felt that way around you on several occasions.”

She ignored his comment and spoke to Clint and Ivy, who had arrived while she was in the shower. “What are we shopping for?”

“We’re shopping for dresses.” Ivy gave a big grin.

Bryn slouched. Just what she wanted to do. Shop for a dress she’d never have a reason to wear.

“Some of us are shopping for dresses.” Clint put his arm around Ivy’s shoulders. “The rest of us are going for lunch.”

Ivy raised an eyebrow at Clint. “Didn’t you know? Boyfriends help their girlfriends pick out dresses.”

Clint went still like maybe he hadn’t heard right. “Boyfriend?”

Ivy shrugged. “Isn’t that what you wanted?” She didn’t look so sure of herself all of a sudden.

If Clint made a smart-ass comment, Bryn was pretty sure Ivy would deck him.

“Yes.” Clint moved close and whispered something in Ivy’s ear. Then he brushed his lips against hers.

It was so romantic. Bryn turned away, blinking back tears.

“Sap,” Zavien muttered.

Bryn felt she had no choice but to pick up the empty cereal box from the coffee table and wing it at his head.

“Hey.” He patted his hair. “Watch the spikes.”

She laughed. “Let’s go. I’m starving.”

Zavien pointed to the remains of her breakfast on the table and feigned confusion. “What’s that?”

“A snack.” She poked him on the arm. “Be nice.”

He caught her hand and held on to it. “What’s the fun in that?”

And he didn’t let go of her hand, and he didn’t stop staring into her eyes. And her insides were going all shimmery. Did he know what he was doing to her?

Zavien blinked, and the spell was broken. He dropped her hand and gave her his normal friend-type smile. “We need to hurry if we want to catch the shuttle.”

“Why don’t we fly?” Bryn asked.

“The sky was filled with Blues on the way over,” Zavien said. “Garret probably mentioned he wanted to time your flights. I bet they’re waiting to race you again.”

“They can wait all day. I’ll tell Garret we need to run trials somewhere private.”

“Finally, she’s talking sense.” Zavien held the door open for her. She swatted his arm as she walked past.

The shuttle arrived moments after they reached the stop. Clint and Ivy found two seats together. Zavien ushered Bryn toward the back where there were more empty seats. Her heart beat double time. Was he about to ask her to the dance?

She slid into the row he indicated and sat next to the window. Zavien twisted in his seat to face her. “I wanted to speak to you about the dance.”

Butterflies did aerial acrobatics in her stomach.

“You shouldn’t plan on attending.”

The butterflies crashed and burned. Her mouth fell open. She snapped it shut and glared at him.

“I’m not saying you can’t go, but I don’t think you’ll be asked.”

His words smacked her across the face. “You don’t know that.”

“Asking a girl to the Fall Dance is like declaring an intent to petition for marriage. I know Keegan has been talking to you, but he won’t—”

“Whether he asks me or not is none of your business.” She pushed past him and moved to another seat. Anger and embarrassment heated her insides to a volcanic level. Smoke shot from her nostrils with each exhalation.

How stupid could she be? Zavien would never ask her to the dance. For all the neck rubbing and cake, and the little bit of flirting he did—if it really was flirting—he treated her like a child. He might be nineteen to her sixteen, but that didn’t give him the right to be a condescending jackass.

When they pulled into the shuttle lot, she dashed from her seat and made it out the door before he could catch up. She stalked down the sidewalk, battling the fire inside her. Before long, the aroma of garlic filled the air.

The sign for Fonzoli’s restaurant came into view. Lemon ice sounded wonderful. The thought of the frozen, tangy confection cooled the turmoil in her gut. She entered the restaurant and waited to be seated.

“One, please.”

The hostess gave her a look of pity. “Have a fight with your boyfriend?”

“No, just someone who thinks he’s my boss.”

“Sounds like my husband.” She led Bryn to a small table in the corner. “Valmont will be with you in a moment.”