Counting Down with You(92)

“Uh, okay?” he says.

“It has come to my attention that you and my wonderful, lovely, one-of-a-kind best friend Karina are doing whatever it is you two are doing. For some reason completely beyond me, she seems happy. However, if she’s anything less than happy, ever—and I don’t care if you did it or if someone else did it, because I’m going to assume it’s still your fault—just know I’ve seen every Mission Impossible movie and I know how to kill someone with a pen.”

Nandini lets go of me to join Cora, throwing an arm around her shoulder. “When you fall asleep tonight, keep your third eye open. We’ll be watching.”

I stifle a giggle. My friends are so ridiculous. Now that everything’s out in the open, I honestly don’t care if they threaten Ace twenty times a day so long as he isn’t bothered by it either. I know my friends are dramatic, and that’s part of why I adore them.

Ace blinks. “Noted.”

Cora returns to normal in a second, grinning cheerfully as she claps him on the shoulder. “Great! Glad that’s settled.”

Without another word, she skips over to me and loops her arms with mine. When she starts pulling me away, I falter only to smile back at Ace. “I’ll see you later.”

His eyes are fond, even if the rest of his face is unmoved. “Yeah, you will.”

I’m sitting in the library, outlining new study questions for Ace when someone loudly approaches our table.

I’m alone, because I forgot my copy of The Scarlet Letter and Ace went in search of another. I wish I’d gone instead when I see who’s standing over me.

“Xander,” I say slowly. I’ve never been alone with Ace’s brother before, and I don’t want to start now. “Hello.”

Xander’s expression is dark. “Where’s Alistair?”

“He’s...in the bathroom,” I say, glancing down at the notes, books, and papers scattered across the table. Xander isn’t supposed to know I’m tutoring Ace.

I need a quick lie. I don’t want to mess this up.

Anxiety bubbles in my stomach. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one... “He likes to keep me company while I study.”

Xander hums, eyes narrowed. “Is that right?”

My mouth dries. His tone makes it sound like he knows, but how he could possibly know? He saw me and Ace on a real date just yesterday.

“Yes.” My hands are sweating. “Would you like me to pass on a message?”

“I’ll wait,” Xander says, taking the seat beside me. We’re way too close. I can’t help scooting away. My skin prickles from just being around him, but it’s worse with him watching me like a hawk. “So, Karina. How exactly did you and my brother start dating? I’d love specific details. It’s not every day Ace gets a girlfriend.”

“Uh.” I bite my lip, looking around for Ace. “He—um. Like we said, we sat next to each other in English.”

“My brother isn’t exactly the friendliest company,” Xander says, which makes my blood boil. It fizzles away some of my anxiety, enough that I straighten and reach for my things, pushing them toward my side of the table. “What about him won you over?”

“I honestly don’t see how that’s any of your business,” I say coldly.

Xander raises his eyebrows. “He’s got you acting like a guard dog?”

I glare at him. “Are you comparing me to an animal? Is that the hill you want to die on?”

He lifts his hands in apology, but I don’t buy it. I’ve always said Xander Clyde is on his way to being US president. I’ve never believed it more than when he offers me a charming smile after likening me to a dog. “I’m not trying to insult you. You know, you kind of remind me of Cora.”

“Do I?” I ask, smiling sweetly. “Perhaps it’s because neither of us enjoy speaking to you.”

Something flashes across Xander’s face too quickly for me to decipher. “Is that right?”

Thankfully, Ace comes back then, and I don’t have to singlehandedly fend off his brother anymore. He stops short at the sight of me glowering at Xander, and his own gaze grows dark.

We’re tucked into a back corner, and there’s no one else in our vicinity, otherwise I’m sure this scene would draw far too many eyes. I’m itchy just thinking about it.

“Why are you here?” Ace asks, setting The Scarlet Letter down and sliding it toward me. I catch it before it can slip off the table, but my stomach twists at the sight of Xander’s gaze following the book.

“Mia and I were speaking earlier, and she mentioned something very interesting,” Xander says, raising his eyes to meet his brother’s.

Ace grows very still. “Did she?”

Xander laughs. The sound grates on my nerves. “At first, it seemed ridiculous. I thought she was joking. But then she tried to cover it up so fast that I began to think, Is it true? Could Alistair really be stupid enough to pretend to date his tutor?”

“Hey,” I cut in, gritting my teeth. “Don’t call him stupid.”

Ace shakes his head slowly. “This isn’t your fight, Karina.”

I bite my lip, wishing it was. I hate seeing Xander demean Ace like this.

“Oh, enough,” Xander says, rolling his eyes. “You can stop the act. I know you’re not dating.”