"Violet," Zane says softly, serious. "We're just friends, I promise you."

"Yeah," Jenna joins. Her big green eyes suddenly sparkle. "Besides, I happen to know for a fact that Zane, here, is stupid crazy over some hot chick whose name is like a flower."

Startled, I stare at Zane. A cautious hope blooms in the vicinity of my chest.

He stares down at the table, shaking his head slightly. "Thank you, Jenna. When do you go home again?"

She just laughs. "Oh, lighten up, Zane. I'm doing you a favor. Seriously, though, you two so need to have a conversation."

I smile weakly at her. "If we don't kill each other first."

"Yeah, he tends to have that effect on people."

"Really over-staying your welcome here."

"Hey," Jenna says. "You were the one who wanted me to meet her."

"Yeah, that was a stupid idea." Zane suddenly leans across the table. "Touch her one more time, and I'll break your arm."

At first, I'm shocked because I think he's talking to me-but then I feel a hand slowly wither away from my leg.

Jakey's eyes are wide and panicked as he gulps at the dark violence in Zane's face.

Whoa. Maybe trying to make him jealous is not a good idea after all.

By the end of dinner, Jakey whispers in my ear that he can't see me anymore, and promptly un-invites me from the dance. Then, making sure Zane's not watching, he asks if he can take a picture of me with his phone. I pose with the dorkiest open-mouthed grin I can manage.

He still takes my picture!

Well, I don't think he was pointing the lens at my face. Yuck.

Right after dinner, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. I think my period just started (it's early!) and I'm right. Ugh.

After I get cleaned up, I go back down, determined to find Zane and apologize. It still burns me to think of other girls throwing themselves at him, but I suppose it's unrealistic of me to expect him to push them away with a "blah!"

I run into Mom downstairs. Right away she asks me if I'm really dating a freshman.

I roll my eyes. "No, that was a huge misunderstanding."

She looks relieved. "Oh, thank goodness. I was starting to wonder if you were getting desperate. Because Barbara's kid is a little punk, and you can do so much better."

I have to laugh at her serious tone. "Thanks, Lily."

"You're welcome, child. And call me mom. Oh, could you do me a favor and start a pot of coffee?"

"Anything for you, Mother, dear."

She pats my cheek and thanks me. I walk slowly to the kitchen, hoping to run into Zane, but no such luck.

I still don't know what to think about Jenna. How come I didn't know about her, but she knows all about me? And do I even have a right to be p.i.s.sed about her staying with him? I think about texting Lauren for advice, but Lauren's never been in a relationship before, so it would kind of be like the blind leading the blind. Maybe I could ask Kim? She's certainly had a lot of experience with relationships, having been in dozens herself.

Or maybe I should post an anonymous question on the internet. Hm. I ponder my choices as I fire up the coffee maker. Matt was friends with lots of other girls, and I never cared-until he cheated on me, that is. But with Matt, I never felt that connection-or heart-stopping attraction-that I do with Zane. He really just does...what's that on the ground?

I kneel down to examine the shiny little object stuck to the tile. Looks like a rhinestone. I wonder how it got here, and who it belongs to.

While I'm wondering these things, I hear the door open. The sound of Jenna's laughter freezes me to the spot, and raises my hackles.

"No way in h.e.l.l," Zane is saying. "But they're still all over me about it."

I hear a thump on the counter above me. They're standing right on the other side. I plaster myself against a cabinet, praying they won't come around.

"Aw, poor baby! Must be hard to be a wanted man. So you're definitely turning it down?"

"Yeah."

"So no career change for you after all, huh?"

Career change? Zane never mentioned anything about that to me. I listen closely, jealous of Jenna's insider knowledge.

"So, I can't believe you haven't told her," Jenna is saying. My ears p.r.i.c.k up. "Dude, that's so not good."

Told who? Me?

Zane seems to sigh. "It's complicated. I know what I'm doing."

She makes a tsking noise. "If you say so. But she's going to find out eventually."

There is a pause where I picture Zane running his hands through his hair. "I'll deal with it," he says shortly. "Come on, let's go find Violet."

I hold my breath as I listen to their footsteps walk away. When I hear the door swing shut, I breathe a sigh of relief.

I sink to the floor, back against the counter. Okay, so what was that about? Was it about me? If not, then who? Either way, Zane's keeping something from me. What? And what do I do about it? No way am I going to admit I was listening.

My heart sinks as I absorb everything. I can't trust him, no matter how badly I want to.

The sounds of people entering the kitchen snap me out of my thoughts. Before I can react, creepy moaning noises and breathless giggles erupt from the other side of my counter.

"Oh, Grant," a familiar voice sighs.

I pop up suddenly, unable to believe my ears. Guess what I see? Jane, locked in the embrace of a balding middle aged man whom I'm pretty sure is married.

"Jane!" I gasp.

They both scream a little and break apart, wide-eyed.

"Violet!" Jane gasps, holding a hand against her heart.

"I thought you were a lesbian," I blurt out.

"It's not what it-what? Why would you think I'm a lesbian?"

"Oh..." I shrug. "Never mind. I should go."

I make a run for it. The things you find out when you hang out on the floor!

Chapter 21.

I find Zane and Jenna saying their thank yous and goodbyes to Mom. I try to catch Zane's eye, but Jenna ends up pulling me to the side.

"Violet," she says with a smile. "I'm glad I finally got to meet you. I hope we can hang out more next time I'm in town."

I hesitate, staring into her gorgeous green eyes. "Yeah, that'd be...weird."

She bursts out laughing. "Kinda, huh?"

"Sorry. It's just that Zane never mentioned you, or said he had anybody staying with him. I've never even been to his house in L.A," I mumble in an agitated burst of words.

"Oh, no, I totally get it," Jenna rea.s.sures, me patting my arm. "I just kind of showed up on his doorstep one night, you know? It's a long story. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know-Zane and I are just friends. You have absolutely nothing to worry about with me."

"Oh, well...thanks."

"Now, I'm not gonna lie and say that if he ever wanted something more, I wouldn't jump at the chance." She laughs and rolls her eyes. "But once Zane places you in the 'friend zone' you're there for life."

"Actually," I say. "He and I started out as friends."

Jenna just grins. "Believe me, Violet, I happen to know for a fact that you were never in danger of being put in the 'friend zone.' That was just Zane trying to be a gentleman for once in his life."

I think about that night in the pool, and I can't help but blush. "Really," I murmur. "Tell me more."

"Oh, no you don't." Jenna wags a finger at me. "But I will say this."

She casts a look over her shoulder to make sure Zane is still busy with Mom. Then she leans close, conspiratorial.

"Zane's been with a lot of women, you know? A lot. Like, he can literally get any chick he wants. Like super models, and-"

"Okay, Jenna," I interrupt quickly. "Wherever you're going, get there faster."

She hunches her shoulders sheepishly. "Right. What I'm trying to say is, I've never heard Zane talk about any girl before, not the way he does about you. He really cares about you, so...just remember that, no matter what happens, okay?"

I want to be excited about what I think Jenna is telling me, but that huge cloud of doubt hovering over me refuses go away. I can't forget what I overheard in the kitchen.

She's going to find out eventually.

I smile uncertainly at Jenna, unsure how to take her. "Thanks," I mutter. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Keep what in mind?"

Zane appears suddenly besides Jenna. He slings a playful arm around her neck. "Spilling state secrets, Jen?"

"I would never!" she huffs, opening her eyes wide. "You know me. I'm like a bank vault."

Zane sends me an amused glance, eyebrows raised. "Yeah, the open kind, where there's a tiny little Jenna standing just inside, handing out codes and keys. Violet, don't listen to her-she has a very vivid imagination."

I don't know what to say to that, so I just stand there, fl.u.s.tered. It's awkward for a minute. Then, Zane turns to Jenna again.

"Hey, do me a favor," he says, sticking a hand into his front jeans pocket. He comes up with what looks like a fancy little remote thingy and tosses it to her. "Drive my car home tonight. I want to stick around for a bit and talk to Violet."

She catches it clumsily. "You're letting me drive the Aston Martin? Are you serious?!"

Zane locks eyes with me as he answers her. "Yeah, just don't go nuts, okay?"

"What!" she screams excitedly, jumping up and down. "Oh, but how will you get home?"

"I'll take one of my dad's bikes." Zane shrugs. "We'll walk you out "

I trail after them, following them outside to Zane's car. Jenna is way too giddy, and if I were him, I would be nervous about letting her behind the wheel of such a crazy expensive car. But Zane doesn't seem worried, simply telling her to not drive too fast. Jenna hugs him tightly before she gets in, and I have to squash the jealous witch in me that starts shouting obscenities.

I really need to get this possessive thing under control.

With squealing tires, the car rockets out the driveway. Jenna toots the horn before she reaches the end of the road.

Zane watches her go. "I'm gonna regret this, aren't I?"

"Oh, yeah," I reply swiftly. Distantly, I hear a scream followed by the sound of screeching breaks.

Shaking his head, he turns back to me. I can barely make out his suddenly serious expression by the pale light of the moon and the winking stars.

"So, you wanna get out of here?"

"Um." I stare down at the ground. "Let's go back to the house. We can hang out in my room."

"I don't think your mom would approve."

I roll my eyes. "I'll sneak you in."

"Oh, really?" Zane's tone is half-amused, half-surprised. "Are you sure you want to risk your good girl rep?"

"Well," I say matter-of-factly. "She hasn't caught onto all the wild drinking whips and chains orgies I host in their yet."

"d.a.m.n, those are the best kind. Now I'm really excited to see your room."