Free 0758269498 by Eve Marie Mont Page A

if I’m feeling up to it,” I said. “I was planning on wallowing back in my room.”
    “You’ve done enough wallowing for today, I’m sure. You’re staying.”
    A few moments later, we headed out to the gardens. The trees had been strung with lights, and the pathways were filled with students, talking and laughing and drinking spiked punch. Punk music with a driving rhythm came crackling out of the speakers, courtesy of Flynn. It was drizzling lightly, but nobody seemed to mind. Michelle had disappeared, but Owen wouldn’t leave my side. It was like he felt obligated to stay and make sure I had a decent time. I was starting to feel a little better, but I was freezing since I’d forgotten to wear a coat. Owen offered to get his from inside.
    Together, we went into the warmth of the Commons Building and wandered down the darkened hallway, trying to find our way back to the auditorium. All the lights were off except the emergency lights, which cast only a dim glow along the floors. Once inside the auditorium, we went up to the stage and Owen flicked on some stage lights. I sat down on the edge of the stage to wait for him as he found his coat. When he came back out, he joined me on the floor, scooting close enough that I could smell his cologne, woodsy and sweet.
    “So how are you doing?” he said. “Still thinking about Gray?”
    “What else?”
    “It sucks,” he said. “I really thought you guys had something.”
    “Yeah, well, I’m beginning to think nothing good ever lasts.”
    “If it makes you feel any better, I think it’s over between Michelle and me, too.”
    “What?”
    “I think we’re through.”
    “Really? Why?” I said, trying to keep my voice even.
    “I can just feel it coming,” he said. “The only thing I can’t figure out is why she hasn’t done it already.”
    I bit my lip. “Maybe you’re just imagining things.”
    “I don’t think so,” he said. “I just wish I knew what I did wrong.”
    “I’m sure it’s nothing you’ve done.”
    He gave me a sidelong glance. “Has she said something to you?”
    Blood rushed to my cheeks. “No,” I said, a little too emphatically. “Honestly, Owen, we barely speak anymore.”
    “If you know anything, Emma, please tell me. I feel like a tool just waiting around for her to cut me loose.”
    He turned to look at me, and a curl of brown hair flopped onto his forehead. Without thinking, I reached over and pushed it out of his eyes. When my fingers grazed his temple, a surge of energy thrummed through my arm. For the first time that hellish week, I felt a spark of life again.
    “Whatever happens,” I said, “it’s not you. You’re wonderful.”
    He gave me a half smile, but he looked so sad, and I wanted him not to be sad anymore. And because I wanted to tell him the truth about Michelle but couldn’t, and because I was feeling sorry for myself, and mostly, because he wasn’t Gray, I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He turned his head slightly, surprised, and then we were really kissing, his lips on my lips, his hand gripping the back of my neck.
    The kiss only lasted three or four seconds, but in that span I noticed his lips were thinner than Gray’s, but warm and dry and strong. And even though I knew this wasn’t right, my body responded to the kiss until a moment later when I felt him pull away. My eyes fluttered open to see his boyish face gazing at me in surprise.
    “Oh my God.” A voice sliced through the silence. I didn’t have to turn around to see who it was. Her voice was almost as familiar as my own.
    Owen jumped to his feet. “Michelle, it’s not what you think—”
    For some reason, I wanted to laugh. People always said such clichéd things when they were caught in the act. It’s not what you think.... I can explain.... It’s not you, it’s me. . . .
    But Michelle didn’t wait for an explanation. She took off out the side door in a rage. Owen just glanced back at me with a heartbreaking