All I've Never Wanted(134)

He returned his gaze to her direction. “With who?” The question came out a bit sharper than he’d intended.

“With Grant.” Venice’s eyes lit up. “You know, I got an A on my calculus test because of him? He’s so smart. It’s amazing.”

Zack frowned. Grant. That stupid skinny kid with the stupid skinny name and the stupid skinny glasses and the stupid—

“Zack?” Venice gave him an odd look. “Why do you keep saying ‘skinny’?”

He blushed. “No reason. What’s so amazing about that kid anyway?” He sniffed. “I could’ve helped you get an A on that test too.”

“But you don’t even take calculus.”

“How do you know that?” he challenged.

Venice’s cheeks turned pink. “I don’t know,” she mumbled. Then her face brightened again. “Puppy!” she cried.

He groaned. Not this again! “Venice, no!”

But it was too late. The tiny redhead jumped up to follow the tiny dog who had jumped out from an elegant older woman’s handbag. The woman didn’t seem to notice.

Zack couldn’t believe it. Did she have a disease or something? Because that type of fascination and blind following of puppies could not be normal.

Suddenly, he realized with horror that Venice was racing straight towards the section of the deck that had no railing.

Zack jumped up, forgetting about spying on Maya and Rico for the moment. Hadn’t Venice said something about not being able to swim? Crap.

“Venice!” he shouted.

Too late. He watched in horror as she tipped over the edge and…onto the dock. But his sigh of relief was cut short when Venice stood up, only to slip and fall into the pond with a splash, just as he reached the dock.

Without even thinking, Zack pulled his shirt off his head, jumped onto the dock, then dived into the water.

Within five minutes, he’d pulled Venice out of the water and back onto the deck, where the other diners had gathered, gaping at the scene in front of them—including Maya and Rico, who had concerned looks on their faces.

“Zack! What happened?” Maya exclaimed.

“She fell!” Obviously, his mind whispered, unusually sarcastic.

“Oh my god, she’s not conscious.” Maya’s eyes were wide. “Does anyone know CPR?”

“I got it.” With those three words, Zack leaned down and covered Venice’s mouth with his.

* * *

I had hoped Zack and Venice would end up kissing after tonight, but this was not what I had in mind. Plus, I’m not sure CPR qualified as kissing.

I instinctively gripped Rico’s hand, my heart thudding nervously. I knew Venice couldn’t swim, and though I doubted she was in mortal danger, considering the short amount of time she’d been submerged, I was still worried.

Therefore, when her eyes blinked open and she began to cough up water, I breathed a sigh of relief.


“Wh-what happened?” She struggled to sit up, water dripping down her face.

“You were chasing a puppy and fell in the water,” Zack explained.

Beside me, Rico snorted at the ridiculousness of that statement.

“Are you ok?” I asked, concerned.

Venice nodded, brushing a limp red curl from her face. “Uh, I think so.” She looked around, her face turning the color of her hair when she saw everyone staring at her. “Oh my god, this is so embarrassing,” she squeaked.

“It’s ok.” I turned to the onlookers. “There’s nothing to see here anymore. Go back to your dinners.” Everyone actually did what I said. I guess hanging out with Scions gave me a bit more confidence than I used to have. “And have a good night,” I added. I couldn’t be quite as imperious as Roman and the others were. Not that I wanted to be.

“Can you explain to me what you two are doing here?” Rico asked.

I stifled a grin. We knew exactly what they were doing here. We had set it up, telling Adriana to tell Zack she was afraid I might be leaving Roman for Rico and to urge him to “keep tabs on us.” She’d told me about how Zack and Venice had trailed James—I shuddered a bit at the thought of his name—and I at the amusement park, and figured he would bring her along this time too, since he apparently “couldn’t do anything by himself.”

I guess she was right, as always.

“Well, we, uh—“ Venice stammered, looking guilty.

“We’re on a date,” Zack blurted.

She turned so fast I was afraid she might’ve gotten whiplash.

“Really?” I grinned. “Aw. I should have guessed. You know, he’s the one who gave you CPR, V,” I added casually.

Just like that, she flushed red all over again, only this time, she was joined by Zack.

“Yeah, you should give him a thank you kiss,” Rico added, playing along.

But they were no longer paying attention. Instead, they were staring at something over my shoulder with frightened expressions.

A moment later, my hand was ripped out of Rico’s. I’d completely forgotten I was still holding onto it.

My stomach dropped when I turned to see Roman standing there, his face like thunder. “What the hell are you doing?” he demanded, a vein pulsing angrily in his forehead. “Why are you holding his hand?” His voice grew louder and louder with each word.