“No, it’s not that.” She tilted her head and crossed her arms. “It’s that your future isn’t set in stone yet. You’re about to come to a crossroads. One where a choice has to be made.”
“Let’s be clear.” She was giving me the heebie-jeebies. “My future is set, and there won’t be any changing it.” Kassie or Mona must have come by here and said something to her. “Thanks for this.” I grabbed the sticky note and put it in my jeans pocket. I wasn’t about to turn down an offer like that. Next time I needed her and she wasn’t at the store, I could finally track her down instead of waiting outside the shop like a fucking creeper.
“Be careful.” She forced a sad smile. “I’m sure I’ll see you very soon.”
Something in her words caused a chill to run down my spine.
Chapter Three
“Hey, you.” The girl from earlier arched her eyebrow as I took my seat next to her.
Maybe I should’ve taken my chances with Connor. “Hi.” Maybe she’d get the hint.
“I’ve decided I like you.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “So, my name is Ella. You’ll need to know my name for this to continue.”
I grabbed my notebook and pencil out of my bag and leaned back in my seat, keeping my eyes forward.
“This is the part where you tell me your name.” She turned her body toward me and tilted her head.
“Not interested.” Maybe if I was blunt, she’d get the hint.
“Hmmm… I heard that guy holler it out in the last class, so technically I know it. But I’m going to pretend I don’t until I hear it from you.” She tapped her lips with her fingertip. “Then, I’ll go with Hope. Because maybe if I call you that, you wouldn’t have such a dark cloud over your head.”
My lips twitched to inch upward, but I bit my tongue.
“Elena.” Connor entered the room with a huge smile on his face. “You must not have seen me Monday. I saved you a seat.” He pointed to the desk that was vacant beside where he had sat the other day.
“No, I saw you.” He needed to get the damn hint. “Just didn’t want to sit there.”
“What?” His mouth dropped, and he shook his head. “Oh, you want to be in the back.” He grinned at me once more. “I get that. I’ll come join you.”
He made his way to the open desk beside me. As he placed his black backpack down, his light blue polo shirt inched up, showing his six-pack.
I had to give him credit. He was hot in the wholesome, all-American way. He had short, dirty-blond hair and blue eyes.
As he slid into the seat, he grinned in my direction. “So… what are you doing later?”
“Gotta wash my hair.” I’d rather go jump off a bridge than do anything with him.
“Oh, well, what about tomorrow?” He bit his bottom lip and scanned my body. “I’d like to pick up where we left off.”
“Not interested.” I wasn’t sure how else to make it clear to him.
“That’s the second time you’ve said that in two minutes.” Ella giggled and shook her head. “I’m kind of offended you lumped me in with him.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Connor frowned at her.
“She’s not interested. Why don’t you get a clue?” Ella rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You’re panting after her like a puppy dog.”
That was a fair analysis.
“Why don’t you mind your own business?” Connor frowned at her.
Thankfully, the professor entered the room. His eyes settled on me for a second. “I’m so glad you made time for us again.”
He was trying to embarrass me. “I’m punctual like that. I’m here when class begins and ends when the time on my schedule is up.”
Ella snorted.
The professor startled and took a deep breath. “Well, I guess I better get to it.”
As usual, I stood right at the class end time and began my trek out the door.
“Hey, Elena,” Ella called after me.
“I thought I was Hope?” I couldn’t keep the small grin off my face.
“Ha, well. Dumbass said your name, so I figured…” She stopped and pursed her lips. “I kinda like the nickname Hope. I mean, it pegs you hardcore.”
“Did you catch up with me to insult me?” She had some balls, so I had to give her that. Most people tried to stay clear of me.
“Yeah, I figured you didn’t hate yourself enough, so I thought I’d help you out.”
We walked outdoors, and the breeze picked up. That’s when her earthy scent hit me. Shit, she was a wolf shifter. No wonder I felt inclined to like her. “Well, don’t worry. It’s more than you probably can see.” I had to get away and now.
“Look, I have to a party tonight.” She shrugged her shoulders and licked her lips. “I thought maybe you wouldn’t mind keeping me company.”
“That’s a no.” I already told her I wasn’t interested, so I wasn’t sure why she just asked the question. “If the ‘I’m not interested’ comment back there confused you, it meant no.”
“See, there’s something about you that intrigues me.” She lifted both hands in the air. “I’m not into girls if that’s what you’re worried about.”
A laugh escaped me before I could shut it down. “I’m so glad you clarified that.”
“Just wanted to make sure I didn’t give off those vibes.” She waved her arm up and down my body. “Not that you aren’t hot.”
“Uh… thanks, I think.” I stopped moving before I realized what I’d done. Dammit, she was going to be a problem. I didn’t want friends.
“Where are you heading off to?” She glanced around. “You got another class?”
“In a couple of hours.” I had history and composition later on. I’d been pissed when I couldn’t get all my classes back to back, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it.
“Let’s go grab something to eat then.” She took a few steps in the direction of the
