Sweet Deceit (Privilege 4)

“Really.”

Palmer reached out and took her hand, holding it down by her side, where it was out of view of their table.

“Listen. I want to take you out somewhere,” he whispered, his voice sending pleasant tingles down the backs of her legs. “Like on a real date.”

Her eyes instinctively darted to Lexa. She and Conrad were whispering to one another, their heads bent close together. “Palmer—”

“I know. I know. You don’t want to hurt Lexa,” Palmer said. “But she’s been going out with Connie for weeks already, and I’m getting tired of sneaking around.”

“I kind of like the sneaking around,” Ariana said.

Palmer grinned. “I like it too. But still. Don’t you want to be able to do this”—he squeezed her hand—“without feeling like it’s somehow wrong? Don’t you want to be my actual girlfriend?”

Ariana’s whole body responded to the question. “Of course I do. It’s just . . .”

She glanced over at the table once more and this time her heart skipped a wild beat. Conrad had turned to talk to Christian, and Lexa was watching them, her eyes filled with anger. Ariana had never seen her look that way before. The second Lexa’s gaze met Ariana’s, she looked away, but the damage was done. Ariana slipped her hand out of Palmer’s and took a step back. The fact remained that Ariana wanted—needed—to get into Stone and Grave, and Lexa was a member. Most likely a powerful member. If there was even the remotest chance that Lexa could block her membership, that she might blackball Ariana for the offense of going after Lexa’s ex, then she had to be careful.

“Can I think about it?” she asked.

“Sure,” Palmer said, standing up straight and taking a step back as well. He smoothed his APH tie. She could tell he was upset over being put off yet again. “Just don’t keep me waiting too long.”

As the tone sounded to end the breakfast period, Palmer smiled before loping off—which made Ariana feel better. He wouldn’t have smiled if he’d been too upset. She took a deep breath to calm her nervous, excited heart, and walked back to the table to grab her coat and bag.

“What was that all about?” Kaitlynn asked suspiciously as Ariana pushed her arm into the sleeve of her leather jacket.

“Nothing,” Ariana said. “He actually just wanted to congratulate us on the prank,” she added quickly. “He said we’re shoo-ins.”

“Really,” Kaitlynn said skeptically, narrowing her eyes. “Then why didn’t he tell us both?”

“I don’t know,” Ariana said, lifting the strap of her bag onto her shoulder. “Maybe because he and I have been friends longer?”

“That’s crap, Ana,” Kaitlynn said as they walked away from the table. “There’s something you’re not telling me and we both know it.”

“Lily,” Ariana said. “There’s not. I swear.”

“Uh-huh,” Kaitlynn replied, her expression sour as she looked Ariana up and down. “So much for all this talk about being friends.”

Then she turned on her heel and stormed away. Ariana heaved a sigh and followed her toward the door, her giddy sense of victory all but evaporating. Sometimes dealing with a paranoid psychopath was hard work.

PRETENDING

“What was your best Halloween costume ever?” Maria asked, glancing over her shoulder at Ariana as they walked into the Hill with Lexa and Soomie that evening.

“I don’t know . . . one year when I was little I dressed up as Fancy Nancy,” Ariana said with a shrug.

“Like from the children’s books?” Lexa exclaimed. “That’s so cute! You should do that this year.”

Ariana gave her a cautious smile. After the episode with Palmer in the dining hall that morning, she had expected the cold shoulder from Lexa. Had she somehow imagined Lexa’s suspicion and jealousy? Would Lexa actually be fine if she found out about Ariana and Palmer’s relationship?

“Um, I think we’re a little old to be going as Fancy Nancy,” Soomie said moodily, tugging her black scarf from around her neck as they crossed the room.

Ariana, Maria, and Lexa exchanged looks. Ariana knew that all of them were still sad, but while the others were trying to move on, act normal, cheer up, Soomie just couldn’t seem to snap out of her depression.

“Right. Because Raggedy Ann is so much more sophisticated,” Maria joked, clearly trying to keep the mood light as they joined the line at the coffee counter. The other girls fell in behind her. Every one of them knew that when it came to coffee, Maria went first.

“Whatever,” Soomie sniffed, checking her BlackBerry.

Another look darted between Maria and Lexa.