Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

slowly, making him wait for her even though she had to know that

he was vibrating with adrenaline. She stepped close to him and

looked up into his face. Her elegantly sculpted lips were pulled

tight in a thin line of warning.

?Stay away from Hector.?

Tuesday morning, Helen ran out of the house and toward Lucas?s

waiting car before Jerry could get it into his head to come out and

?have a talk with that young man,? as he had been threatening.

Helen wasn?t entirely sure if her dad was serious or if he was just

trying to get a rise out of her, but she wasn?t about to take any

chances. It wouldn?t be fair to put Lucas through the traditional

parental screening when they weren?t even officially dating.

?Ready?? she asked quickly, trying to distract Lucas.

?Should we wait?? Lucas asked when he saw Jerry standing in the

front door.

?No, just drive. Quick! I don?t know if he?s really going to do it or

not,? Helen responded desperately as she waved good-bye to her

father.

?Do what?? he asked. He put the car in gear and drove out.

?Try and talk to you, man-to-man,? Helen said, relieved.

?Well, in that case,? Lucas said. He hit the brakes and shifted into

reverse.

?What are you doing?? Helen put her hand over his to stop him

from shifting.

?I?m going to go inside and talk to your dad. I don?t want him to

feel like he can?t trust me with his daughter.?

?Lucas, I swear to whatever god you think is holy that I will get

out of this car and walk to school if you go inside and talk to my

dad.?

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