"Hey," Josh said. He finally reached for my hand, taking it in his. I thought I would never breathe
again. "Are you okay? "
I looked up into his eyes, wanting to say about ten million things to him, and that's when we both
heard Ivy. The low tones of the slow song were letting her voice come through.
"I can't wait to get Josh to Paris over Christmas," she said, apparently talking into her phone. "Our
house on the Left Bank, dinner at Marceau... He's not even going to know what hit him."
I dropped Josh's hand and took a step back as Ivy giggled happily. Josh's guilty expression told me
everything.
"You're going to Paris with her?" I whispered.
"Not exactly," he whispered back. "My family's going... her family's going...."
"I have to get out of here," I said, suddenly feeling as if I was going to overheat. I grabbed my coat
and started by him.
"Reed, I'm sorry you just heard that, but--"
I whirled on him, stopping him midsentence. His expression was somehow pleading and defiant all
at once. Like he didn't want me to be hurt, but like he also felt I had no right to be hurt.
"Just do me one favor," I whispered to him. "Be careful when it comes to Ivy. There's a lot about
her that you don't know."
Then I turned and walked out of my room, leaving my ex all alone inside.
88
FLOWER BOY
The next day after dinner with Diana and a failed study session in the library, I packed up my
notebooks and headed back across the quad toward Pemberly. As I approached Drake House I
remembered what Constance had said about Marc doing a story on Cheyenne. And if Marc knew
anything about S.O., then I wanted to know too.Taking a deep breath, I whipped out my cell and
dialed Marc's number. His voice mail picked up automatically.
"This is Marcellus Alberro. I'm unavailable right now, but please leave your name and number at
the beep and I will get right back to you. If this is about a story, dial pound to page me. Thanks."
"Hey, Marc. It's Reed. I have a quick question for you. Call me back when you get a chance," I said.
Then, as I slipped my iPhone back into my bag, I saw a familiar form rushing toward Drake's back
door. I hesitated for a moment, knowing I was probably the last person on