Free Falling for the Ghost of You by Nicole Christie Page A

play some Aiden Cross on my phone.
    I guess I drift off for a bit.  The next thing I k now, I'm blinking my eyes open and stretching languidly in the now cool water, completely relaxed.
    That was great!  I climb out of the tub and my stomach growls fiercely.  Right, time to eat.  I towel off and slip on a long white sundress, then I clean up after myself.  Wouldn't want Zane to think I'm a big slob.  I gather my things, open the door, and—
    Aaaaaaughh !
    The first thing I see is a naked chick , crawling around on Zane's bed. 
    It's not Natassia this time, it's some blonde chick, according to my shock-filled eyes.
    I'm rooted to the spot.  The naked blonde girl notices me standing there and screams, grabbing a sheet to cover herself with.  Zane is lying on his bed, fully clothed, hands tucked behind his head in a casual position.
    "Hey," he says, turning his head to look at me.  "I didn't know you were home."
    He says this so calmly !
    "Oh, my god, I'm so sorry!" I blurt out, clapping a hand over my mouth.  "I swear, I had no idea you were home!  I was just taking a bath with candles, and I had my music on, and I think I fell asleep—ear buds…"
    "No worries," Zane says with his half-smile. "Violet, this is Anna.  Anna—m y roommate, Violet."
    "Hi."  I wave lamely, trying desperately to imagine her completely dressed.
    Quick—I need to say something to her to diffuse this awkward situation!
    "Um...nice ass!"
    Not that, though.
    "Oh, god, I didn't mean that!" 
    Naked Girl stares at me, morti fied.  She crosses her arms over her chest, and angles her body aw ay from me—l ike I'm some kind of peeper!
    "I was just trying to make conversation.  I didn't mean it, like, sexually," I babble, making it worse.  "It was just an observation.  Yeah, I'm gonna...go.  Now.  Okay."
    I stare down at the ground and make a run for it.  I don't stop until I reach my room.  I throw myself on my bed, facedown, and order myself not to move  as punishment for gross stupidity.
    Maybe twenty minutes later—or an hour—t here is a knock on my door.  I don't answer, but someone comes in, anyway.
    Zane.  I could sense his presence in the pitch dark.
    "Hey," he says, and I feel a tug on my foot.  "You okay?"
    "I'm fine," I say into the mattress.  "Thanks for checking.  Bye."
    The bed dips down from a sudden weight.  Holy crap!   Zane is sitting on my bed!
    I flip over and scramble into a sitting position, scooting away from him like he's fire.
    Never in a thousand years would I have dreamed of someone as gorgeous as Zane sitting on my bed.  Ever.
    I lock my arms around my knees and peek up at his smiling fa ce.   "I'm really sorry about—w hat happened.  I had no idea..."
    "No, I'm the one who's sorry," he says.  "I should n't be bringing my dates home.  N ot while you're staying with me.  I put you in an awkward situation, and I apologize for it."
    I shake my head.  "No, it's your place and I'm the one that intruded.  And I'm not a little kid,"  I point out.  "If you want to bring a different girl home every night, go for it.  Maybe we could work out some kind of system...I could put a sock on the bathroom door when I’m using it , or something."
    Zane starts chuckling as he rubs his chin.  " Hey.  I wouldn't say I'm with a different girl every night."
    "Right" I roll my eyes.  "I've been here almost a week, and s o far I've seen you with five—no, Naked Girl makes six—d ifferent girls."
    "Yeah, well, I like variety."  He shrugs adorably.
    "Really?  Because they all seem kind of interchangeable."
    "And by interchangeable, you're saying...?"
    "They were all slutty.  And dumb."
    Zane bursts out laughing.  He reaches over and taps my knee.  "Hey, Anna is a Yale grad."
    I don't say anything.  The spot where he touched is still tingling.  I struggle to keep a neutral expression.
    Zane grins and nudges me again.  "She does have a nice ass, though."
    "Oh, god!"  I groan, dropping my head into