Free Reckless by Cecily von Ziegesar

the pretty brunette guide had announced to Jenny and her dad on their tour, “ironic” columns. Rufus, who had never heard a pun he didn’t like, had laughed so hard Jenny was afraid he’d give himself an aneurysm. Easy’s sketchbook was open on his lap. He looked up and gave the two girls a little salute.
    “Jesus,” Alison murmured under her breath. “You are so freaking lucky.”
    Jenny couldn’t disagree. She could feel Easy’s gaze on her as they approached, taking in her tightish cranberry American Apparel crew neck, dark A-line denim skirt (vintage Gap) with a long slit up the middle, and knee-high brown suede Camper boots. Nothing too exciting, but the thing about Easy was that just one look from him—one of
those
looks—and she felt like Cinderella dressed in the most beautiful gown.
    “Did you hear the news?” Alison asked Easy as the two girls reached the bottom step, even though he still had his eyes on Jenny. “We’re all under house arrest this weekend.”
    Easy dragged his eyes over to Alison as Jenny sat down next to him and he casually draped his arm around her shoulders. “I heard something about that. Is it true?” He gave Jenny’s shoulders a little squeeze and her heart began to pound even harder.
    Alison met Jenny’s eyes and gave her a quick wink as she headed for the door. “Unfortunately.”
    Jenny tapped her fingers against the edge of Easy’s sketch-book, open to a giant pencil drawing of an oak tree that, instead of leaves, was sprouting squirrels. “Yeah, it’s for real.” Jenny shook her head. She hoped Easy didn’t notice that in all this humid weather, she had run out of defrizz cream and was now sporting an electroshock look. It was definitely a ponytail day, but she hadn’t been able to find a hair band anywhere.
    “For the whole weekend?”
    “Starting at curfew tonight.” Jenny glanced at her watch. They still had a few minutes before class, and it was so nice sitting like this, with Easy, on the steps, watching everyone meandering to class on a Friday afternoon, talking about plans for the weekend. Everyone except for the girls of Dumbarton, that is. “It’s totally unfair, but they’re worried about the trustees and don’t want to have to deal with keeping their eye on us, I guess. At least we can still go riding and have a dinner date.”
    Easy cleared his throat, and Jenny could feel him stiffen a little. Was it something she said? “About that …” Easy turned toward her. “My dad’s coming up for the trustee meetings, and I sort of have to have dinner with him tonight.” His navy blue eyes looked all worried, and Jenny felt bad for him—her dad was totally embarrassing, but she’d never dread eating dinner with him. She actually kind of missed it. “So I guess we’ll have to postpone our date until next weekend.”
    “Hey, no problem.” Jenny impulsively gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. “I understand.”
    “You do?”
    “Of course.”
    Easy shook his head in amazement. “You are so freaking sweet, you know that?”
    “I’m just sorry your dad stresses you out so much.” Jenny shrugged her small shoulders. “But at least you’ll get away from the dining halls for a meal.”
    “And maybe have some wine, if he’s feeling generous.” Easy took one of Jenny’s curls and started to twirl it around his index finger. “And, oh, five or six lectures.”
    Jenny giggled. “About what?”
    Easy composed his handsome face into a “fatherly” expression. “Too much time on art. Too much time riding.” He ticked down a finger with each reason. “Not enough time on serious study. Not enough time thinking about the future. Not enough green leafy vegetables.” He folded down his pinky finger and made a fist. “Et cetera, et cetera.”
    “If it’s any consolation, I’ll probably be in my room studying while you’re enjoying your glass of wine. So it could be worse.”
    Easy gave Jenny a long look before sliding his pencil stub