I smiled, ignoring the slash of jealousy ripping through my chest. “I’m sure there will be many scouts there.”

She leaned against the island. We both looked on at West and Max. She let out a loud, un-Tess-like hiccup.

“So nice you started hanging out with Westie. Who knew working together would earn you a friendship, aye?”

I didn’t correct her assumption that we were just friends. I knew she liked him and rubbing it in wasn’t my style. Besides, she was clearly skunk-drunk.

I liked Tess, despite her shortcomings. She reminded me of the old me. Sweet to everyone, no matter how they ranked in popularity. She was also part of the Friendly Visiting Program, where students had weekly visits with elders in the community. I knew, because Grams had told me Tess had been visiting her friend, Doris, since her freshman year at the university.

“He’s great.”

“He really is. I just think it’s so unkind that people are making up all these rumors about y’all being a couple. I swear, college folk just live for the drama. Men and women can be just friends. We’re not animals, you know!” Tess let out another hiccup, putting her beer to her mouth.

I knew there was bait to be taken here. West was arguing hotly with Max in the corner of the room.

Tess didn’t wait for me to contribute to the one-sided conversation. She took my silence as an invitation to continue. “When I heard you guys were an item, I was like, no way. You know I’ve always rooted for you, Grace. There’s just something about you that really resonates with me. You live with your nana, right?”

“Yeah.”

She nodded briskly. “My grandparents raised me, too. I still visit them every chance I get. They’re down in Galveston. Anyhoo, I told people they should mind their own business. That you and Westie are just there for each other. I mean, you’re too smart not to know that if he takes you to his bed, it’s just because he feels some sort of way about your …” She shot me a sidelong glance, flinching. “Life story.”

“Life story?” I decided to play dumb, smiling sweetly. “I’m not sure what you mean, Tess. I had a great childhood, right here in Sheridan.”

She put a hand over her heart. “Bless your heart, you wouldn’t, would you? I sometimes don’t see things for what they are when I’m in the situation, too. What I mean is, Westie’s had it pretty rough. He seems banged up about something. He needs someone to make him feel good. Helpful. I don’t know about you, but I’d never lower myself to the position of being someone’s pity-girlfriend.”

“Pretty sure you would lower yourself to any position possible, if it involved havin’ West.” I put my beer on the counter behind us, no longer worried about how I came off, and pushed off of it.

West was right—it was high time I put people in their place.

Parking a hand over my waist, I turned to Tess fully. Her smile wilted like the roses wrapped around her body. But I was on a roll. For the first time in years, I felt secure in my place.

“I know what you think when you look at me, Tess, and it’s not that I take good care of my grandmomma. You’re thinkin’, thank God it didn’t happen to me. You value your good looks and hold on to them. Well, let me tell you, sister, one day you are goin’ to wake up and find out you’re not the prettiest girl on campus. Or at your workplace. Or—know what? Even in your household. Your beauty is just one brief chapter in your history book. Nothin’ but a sweet, elusive lie. Elegant wrapping paper, wrapped around a mysterious gift. And while it is true beautifully wrapped gifts are more appealing to the eye” —I cocked my head sideways, giving her body a quick, cold scan—“I’m sure whatever I have to offer under my wrapping paper’s worth more than your ugly words tonight.”

I straightened my spine, tilted my chin up, and walked away. Through the wall mirror in front of me, I could see Tess standing behind me. Mouth agape, face pale, heart shattered. She watched as I made my way to the bathroom. I waited in line, taking out my phone and texting Karlie.

Grace: Tess Davis just heavily implied West is only with me because he feels bad about my scars.

Karlie: Right. Because St. Claire is big on charity. What a dumbass.

Standing up for myself didn’t feel half-bad.

Ten minutes after waiting in line, it was finally my turn. The bathroom door finally swung open, two giggling girls skipping out of it, sniffing and rubbing their noses. I was about to close the door, when an arm shot behind me, prying it open.

“No way, Jose. You’re goin’ to wait in line just like all of u—” As I yanked at the handle, a large, dark figure shoved me into the bathroom, locking the door behind us with a soft click.

I stumbled backwards and turned around to face the towering man, my back bumping against the sink.

“Jesus Christ, West. Ever heard of knockin’?”

“Rings a bell. That’s another word for whacking, right?” He crowded me, pinning me against the sink. My hands shot to the basin behind me. My heart was doing Olympic-level acrobatics. His chest was flush against mine, his eyes hooded, dark, and full of desire.

“Been looking for you.” His breath stroked my face. Apple candy and sawdust and the man who could destroy me without laying a finger on me.

“I figured you weren’t done with Max, so I excused myself to the powder room.”

I was pretty sure this place was indeed full of powder, but not the kind ladies used as makeup.

“Did you tell him?” I asked breathlessly. He gave me a curt nod, grabbing the back of my thighs in his calloused hands.

“Broke his heart, and bank account, probably, but I did it. Tess looks a mess.” His mouth fluttered against mine teasingly as he hoisted my legs up to wrap around his narrow waist. “Tried to catch me on my way here, asked me if we were banging.”

“She did?” I felt my lips puckering. “What’d you tell her?”

“To mind her goddamn business.”

“What did she answer?”

“Didn’t stick around long enough to find out.” His nose brushed the side of my neck, his mouth traveling down my skin.

“She insinuated you’re pity-bangin’ me,” I explained, ignoring the ribbons of pleasure each of his kisses unfurled inside me. “Said she’d never lower herself to this position. I told her I was pretty sure being on her knees was her favorite position.”

West dropped his head back, laughing in his low, feral baritone. “Nice claws, baby. Can’t wait to feel them on my back.”

“I may have a face even a mother can’t love, but when it comes to dishin’ it out, Tess Davis has got nothing on me.”

His laughter rang in my ears, bouncing on the walls around us.

“You’re hot as shit, Tex, but that smart mouth.” He cupped my face, giving me a little peck. “One day it’s going to get you into trouble. Better wrap it around my dick as penance.”

He tossed my ball cap into the sink, licking a path from my forehead down my nose and to my chin. I shivered with goose bumps, giggling and swatting him away.

“Watch the makeup, St. Claire. Also, what the heck are you doing to me?”

“Showing you what we are.” His voice turned strained. His tongue rolled down the column of my neck, leaving a delicious shiver in its wake. His teeth grazed the collar of my dress as he continued dipping south, dropping to his knees, his rough paws seizing my waist, locking me in place. I let out a small whimper when his face was parallel with my groin. He nuzzled the hem of my mini dress, hiking it up so it gathered around my midriff. My white cotton panties were soaked, and I could smell my own arousal filling the air. He kissed my center through the fabric, closing his eyes and drawing a long, hungry breath. He groaned into my sex. Every bone in my body rattled with anticipation.