Jared seemed amused by my friends’ incredulous expressions.
I picked up the spoon from my tray and muttered under my breath; I’d meant to grab a fork. Before I could get up, Jared sat a fork on my tray. I looked up to thank him, but before I could form the words, Ryan puffed a disgusted laugh.
“Is he going to feed you, too?” Ryan said.
“Shut up,” I sneered. If I hadn’t been so angry I might have feared for Ryan’s safety. Jared could have easily reached over the table and snapped his neck. He watched Ryan, but seemed outwardly unaffected.
“What are we doing this weekend, Ryan?” Josh asked.
“I don’t know,” Ryan answered. His eyes were focused on Jared, full of hate.
Kim spoke, “I say we go to our regular spot. We’re making that place a ton of money. The geriatrics love the entertainment we’re providing.”
“You just like older men,” Josh teased.
“Only the ones that carry around a bottle of Viagra,” she said off-handedly. Everyone at the table paused for moment, waiting for her to crack a smile. When she didn’t, they continued discussing plans.
Ryan looked away from Jared after Kim’s comment, and she winked at me after the moment had passed. The girl was a genius.
“I’m in,” Tucker said.
Beth turned to face me. “Nina?”
“Oh,” I said, quickly glancing at Jared from the corner of my eye. “I don’t know what I’m doing, yet.”
“Come on!” Kim groaned.
“Why don’t you bring Jared? It’ll be fun,” Beth chirped.
Ryan slowly turned to her with angry disbelief. Beth sank back in her chair.
Noticing Ryan’s reaction, Jared hugged me gently to him and smiled. “Sounds good to me. Do you want to go?” he asked, turning to me.
“Uh…sure.”
“Sweet!” Kim said with a mouth full of food.
“Spring Break is in two weeks,” Carrie chimed in. “Lisa and I are going to Tahoe. Does anyone else want to go skiing?”
“That sounds amazing! Do you want to go?” Beth said, looking at Chad.
Chad shrugged. “I haven’t been skiing in a couple of years. How many spots do you have open?”
“My mom has a place there. We can all fit if you guys want to come,” Lisa said.
“How much fun is this going to be?” Beth clapped. “Do you want to go skiing, Nigh?” she asked, turning to me.
“I don’t know. I usually go on vacation with my parents. I’m sure Cynthia has something planned, already,” I looked to Jared who nodded infinitesimally, confirming my assumption.
“You can’t get out of it?” Kim asked.
I shook my head. “Not this year. I don’t want to make her go alone.” Kim and Beth nodded in understanding.
“I’ve gotta get back,” Ryan said, rising. He peered up at me a few times while gathering his things, and then walked away without saying goodbye. Josh followed closely behind.
“What his problem?” Lisa asked.
Kim shrugged, but I caught her glance in my direction.
Jared walked me to my next class. I was glad that he decided to do that on his own; it saved me the humiliation of asking. Suddenly the task of sitting through the next hour was less daunting.
“I’ll see you after class?” he asked, kissing my cheek.
“I’m sorry you had to come all the way here,” I said, leaning my cheek into his lips and closing my eyes.
“Nina,” he scanned my face, exasperated. His was the tone he used when I had misunderstood something he thought was obvious. “Don’t apologize. I was here, anyway. How would I protect you from the loft?”
“So…you just hang around campus every day?”
“Unless you leave. That is my job.”
“So…when I saw you all of those times before, off campus? When I first started running into you?”
Jared nodded, looking caught. “Shamelessly stalking you.”
I felt my face brighten. “Good to know.”
Class seemed to fly by. Before I knew it, I was on my way to Jared’s loft again, riding happily in the passenger seat.
He held the door open with one hand, and held my bag in the other. I put my things in the downstairs bathroom, finding a deep whirlpool tub.
I will definitely be trying that out, later, I thought to myself.
I walked to the couch and sank into the cushions. I was home.
“Nina?” Jared whispered in my ear.
I blinked a few times, trying to focus as I looked around the room. The sun no longer filtered through the windows and a blanket was draped over me. “What time is it?” I asked, stretching.
“It’s after six. Did you want to go out for dinner or stay in?” Jared asked.
“Definitely stay in. I’ll cook this time,” I offered.
“You’re still tired, how about we order in?”
“You don’t think I can cook?” I looked at him with accusing eyes.
“I didn’t say that. I can’t say I’ve ever tasted your cooking. Jack has mentioned it, though.”
“He loved my cooking,” I said defensively.
“Jack adored you. You could have served him sludge from a toxic waste plant and he would have asked for seconds,” Jared teased.
“I’m going to prove it to you.” I walked over to the refrigerator and opened the door.
Jared was instantly behind me. “Nina, you’ve had a long week, a rough night last night, and you went to school today. You don’t have to prove anything tonight.”
“I’m fine,” I said, surveying the contents of his fridge.
Just then, Claire burst through the door, kicking it closed.
“You’re going to have to buy me another door — again — if you keep that up,” Jared growled, turning to face her.
Claire held two large, plastic bags. “Dinner.”
A smug smile immediately appeared on Jared’s face.
“I guess that settles it,” I said, defeated.
Claire brought the sacks to the table. “I was over by Thai Star. I got you the Green Curry, Nina. Jared…your usual. There are egg rolls and Satay, too.”
“Thanks, Claire,” Jared said, digging through the sacks and sticking an egg roll in his mouth. After a moment he looked up at me. “What?”
It was surreal enough to have my new boyfriend know all of my favorites, all of my idiosyncrasies, and sense my feelings. With his sister — who I’d seen all of three times— bringing my favorite dish from a restaurant I frequented, I couldn’t help but feel a bit dazed.
“I’m sorry. We’re going to have to do a better job of easing you into this,” Jared said.
Claire realized what he meant, rolled her eyes and spoke in a disgusted tone, “It’s dinner, Nina. I’ve been around you my entire life, so naturally I would know your food preferences. You were less disturbed about us being Half-breeds.”
“I know. It just took me off guard,” I whispered.
“Don’t be embarrassed,” Jared said, glaring at Claire then looking back at me with concern. “It’s going to take some getting used to. We know it’s going to be awkward for you for awhile.”
“Speak for yourself. It’s annoying how you coddle her all the time,” Claire fumed.
“Don’t take your daddy issues out on her,” Jared snarled.
Claire narrowed her eyes and put her fists on the table, leaning closer to him. Jared automatically angled his body protectively in front of me.
