"It's in the one I was just about to send," I said. "Oh, and tonight we're going to L.A. Connections for the party."

He lowered his sunglasses and peered at me from the top rim. "No, you're not."

"Come on. You and Blaine can go with us."

"Let me think about it." He stepped away from Cora's car and smirked. "Okay. I thought about it and the answer is still no." Then he headed to his car.

Cora slapped my arm.

I slapped her right back. "Cut that out. I swear you're still the same girl I found bawling her eyes out in the bathroom in junior high. Use words."

"Bite me. Are you going to let him," she jerked a finger at Andris' SUV, "talk to you like that?"

"No. You don't argue with Andris. He expects it and he'll have all sorts of reasons why he's right and you're wrong and make you feel immature and stupid. I just ignore him and do what I want to do. He always comes around."

Andris followed us to the Hub. As we stepped out of the car, the hairs on the back of my neck rose. We were being watched. As though he felt it too, Andris looked around.

The parking lot was packed with people walking to and from the building. Inside, no single table or chair was unoccupied. The feeling of being watched persisted. The bookstore slash cafe was frequented by high schoolers and college students, but a few stay-at-home mothers with their kids browsed too.

No one appeared to be staring at us. In fact, most of the customers had their noses buried in books or computers. The free wi-fi here was a big draw.

Andris winked at the cashier as he handed her his credit card. "I'll pay for theirs too, Jessie."

She blushed. "You remembered my name."

"And your eyes. They're unforgettable. Did my sister's books come in?"

What a flirt. And a pathetic liar. Cora and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes. Andris preferred shopping online, but he was drawn to books and often frequented the Hub. He claimed he didn't want anyone at school to know he was a geek, yet every time he visited the place, he left with a pile of sci-fi books. Using Ingrid was a nice touch.

"So when is this party?"

"Eight," I said. I shot Cora an I-told-you-he'd-cave smile.

"When you get home, stay put. We'll pick you up at eight-ish."

I saluted him. "Aye, aye, sir."

He shot me an annoyed look. Cora and I didn't start laughing until we got to the car.

Two hours later, we were dressed and ready to party.

My printed black and white jeggings, a flirty white top, and a black jacket and knee-high boots were perfect for the evening. Cora chose a high-low white dress and ankle-level, high-heeled boots. The back of her dress had a huge chunk of it missing.

She checked her butt, did a model twirl, the dress frothing around her calves. "What do you think?"

"It's you."

She flipped her hair and studied me suspiciously. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"The dress is perfect on you and you know it." Male voices came from downstairs. "They're here." I grabbed my debit card and cell phone and followed her downstairs.

"Oh, I showed Mom my vlog entry," Cora said. "She loved it. How did she put it? My baby's grown."

"Definitely a giant leap from Hottie of the Week," I teased.

"Shut up. Oh, wow, look at you, guys." She studied Andris and Blaine from the foot of the stairs, then walked toward them in a slow gait. "I think we are going to be the envy of every girl at the party."

I studied the guys and grinned. Not bad. The hipster and the trend-setter were in their element tonight. Still, I missed Torin and his earthiness. He didn't conform or let fashion dictate what he wore, yet these two guys couldn't touch him in the sexiness scale.

"That's okay," Blaine said. "We're ditching you ladies as soon as we get to the club."

Cora hugged his arm and pouted. "Come on, Blaine."

"Last time I danced with you, Echo went ape on me, so no, but thanks." Blaine managed to peel her arms off him.

I didn't blame Blaine for being wary. Echo could be scary possessive where Cora was concerned. She rolled her eyes. "Echo has learned to tame his jealous side. Come on. I want to dance." She went toward the portal.

I hugged Femi and whispered, "I have my cell. If you need me, text."

She chuckled. "Go have fun."

I planned to, then I was going on a rescue mission. Midnight here would be eight in the morning in London. The Earl of Worthington was going to get a visit from one irate American teenager before he finished his morning tea.

I followed the others through the portal to the mansion and out the door to the SUV. Cora was already in the back seat checking her makeup.

"A few ground rules, Raine," Andris said before I joined her.

"Seriously, Andris? Stop worrying. Let's just go, dance, drink, and have fun."

"You don't drink," he snapped.

"I was kidding. Lighten up already." I hopped in the backseat.

Andris eyes narrowed menacingly. "Back to the ground rules. You don't leave my sight or the club without telling me. If anyone bothers you, you tell me. It's Spring Break for colleges and a lot of local guys are back in town, so no flirting with frat boys. That includes you, Cora. I don't need Echo acting like a Neanderthal."

Blaine chuckled from the front passenger seat. Echo nearly snapped his neck one night because Blaine had flirted with Cora. I never actually got the whole story, but Torin's presence had stopped him.

"It was a misunderstanding," Cora said, reapplying gloss. She pressed and popped her lips. "And leave my man out of this. These rules only apply to Raine."

"No alcohol for either of you," Andris continued, "but if you need anything, I'll keep a tab running at the bar."

"How I wish I was twenty-one," Cora mumbled, snapping shut her compact.

In five minutes, we were outside L.A. Connection. For a brief moment, scenes from my birthday party flashed in my head-ambulances, people lying on the grass, parents calling out their children's names...

I pushed the past aside and got in the moment as we joined the other students inside the club. Ingrid had reserved a table for us. We left our jackets on our seats, ordered drinks, and hit the dance floor. Blaine and Andris stayed behind surrounded by cheerleaders. I tried not to remember the last time I'd dance in this club and got lost in the music.

Cora and I were taking a breather by the bar sipping mockartinis when I felt the telltale warmth at the back of my neck.

Torin.

Nothing could duplicate the effect of his eyes on me. Our eyes met through the mirror behind the bar and the air got sucked out of the room.

The smoldering gleam in his eyes sent a shiver of heat up my spine and I became an ad for every cliche-my heart skipped a beat, breath caught in my throat, and little frogs started doing jumping jacks in my stomach. The urge to fly across the room and jump into his arms followed. Eyes followed him, but his stayed locked with mine.

Then he smirked. Jackass. Okay, so I have missed him like crazy, but his smug smile just rubbed me the wrong way. For two days, I've worried about him and he saunters in here without remorse looking like every girl's fantasy. No, I was not throwing myself at him or kissing him, or welcoming him home.

Despite my thoughts, I wanted to throw myself at him, kiss him senseless, scold him for making me worry, then never let him go.

I dragged my eyes away from his, picked up my drink, and angled the straw. I took a long sip. Behind me, someone called out, "Over here, St. James."

"You made it," another shouted.

"How was London?"

"Okay, I'm super impressed by your calmness," Cora whispered and stirred her drink with a straw. Her back was to the bar. "If Echo gave me a heated look like that, you'd have to peel me off the floor."

If only she knew. The only thing holding me up was the counter.

"He's coming this way. He just brushed off some girls. Seriously, some bitches don't respect boundaries," Cora said.

My hand tightened around my drink.

"He keeps looking at you. Turn around and welcome him already or I'll do it."

"Don't you dare," I whispered. I knew the moment he entered my personal space. His warmth and scent swirled around me. I closed my eyes and soaked him in. Two days. How could he do that to me?

He slid next to me, his arm brushing against mine. Heat shot up my spine and I shuddered. My eyes flew open and met his in the mirror. Of course, he noticed my reaction. The corners of his lips tilted into the sexy smile I adored. Not so adorable at the moment.

"Hey, Torin," Cora purred. "Nice to have you home."

"Thanks, Cora. Where's Echo?"

"Busy, but you'll see him tomorrow night."

"What's happening tomorrow night?" he asked.

"The double date we talked about. The four of us."

Torin bumped me with his shoulder. I pushed back. He turned his head and studied me. "Are we going?"

"Are we?"

He glanced at Cora. "I guess we're in." He ordered a drink, then angled his head to study me as though searching for something. "Love what you've done with your hair."

I hadn't expected that. "Thanks."

"Love the outfit," he added.

Okay, he was buttering me up. "This old thing?"

"Too bad the boys you dressed up for won't enjoy it," he said and chugged his drink.

I couldn't have heard him right. "I don't dress up for anyone."

"And coming here I assume was your brilliant idea? A place where you have absolutely no protection. What happened? You got bored playing it safe?"

The nerve. I wanted to dump the entire content of my drink on his head. "You've been gone for two days without a word and this is how you greet me?"

"I did say I loved your outfit and hair." He ran a finger down my arm and drew imaginary lines up and down my palm. Heat raced under my skin and my breath lodged in my chest. "So, are you coming home with or do I carry you out of here?"

If looks could kill, he'd be a pile of ashes. "You wouldn't dare."

He turned and glanced around the room, the sexy smirk I usually loved on his lips. Today it was infuriating. "You think I give a rat's tail about what these people think?"

"You humiliate me in front of our friends, Torin, and I'll never forgive you."

"I guess you're coming home with me."

"No, I'm not. I came here to have fun and I'm not going to allow you to spoil it for me." I stepped around him, my eyes connecting with Cora's. They were wide. "Let's dance."

Cora glanced behind me. "Are you sure?"

My back tingled, which meant Torin's eyes were on me. It took all my effort not to look back. Who did he think he was? Cora, thankfully, didn't desert me.

I got lost in song after song, yet I knew the moment Torin came to the dance side of the club. Sure enough, I found him male bonding with Heath and another ballplayer by the curtains separating the dance floor from the lounge. His eyes were on me. I waved and smiled.

He didn't come to the dance floor. I didn't want him to. One of guys we were dancing with was from our school and knew about me and Torin. His friend was familiar, but I couldn't place him. Probably a student from another high school. Torin sized them up then dismissed them and went back to his conversation.

"We can't stay on this floor forever," Cora yelled in my ear. "I need a drink."

"Then get one," I yelled back.

"Please, go make up already. I keep expecting him to flatten the guys we're dancing with."

He didn't consider them a threat. "Let's go."

We excused ourselves and headed for the lounge. I was surprised when Torin didn't stop me from leaving the dance floor. Back at the bar, someone had put our jackets on the stools we'd been using. We got drinks. My eyes met Andris. He cocked his eyebrows questioningly. I smiled and saluted him.

"Hey, why did you guys leave?" the guy we'd been dancing with asked, easing beside me. A weird chill went through me and I blamed his sudden appearance. He had the Latin thing going for him though he spoke with no accent.

"Oh brother," Cora murmured. "She has a boyfriend, Don Juan," she added louder.

The guy glanced at her. "I haven't asked her out." He smiled into my eyes. "Yet."

"Yes, Cora. He hasn't. Would you like a drink?" I asked, aware that Torin was back in the room. He didn't join us. Instead, he and his friends went to their table. Our eyes met and he winked. He was amused by my behavior. He couldn't even give me the satisfaction of making him jealous.