Saint

Loni studies the outfit a moment, then crinkles her nose and nods. “That would be the general vibe, yes. If you want, you can take Dorito to solidify yourself as the cat lady who doesn’t give a shit.”

“Perfect. And no to the cat, but thanks.” I turn to my bathroom to change, knowing the last thing I want is to give Liam the idea I’m trying to impress him.

Less than an hour later, Liam picks me up in a black BMW that still smells like new car.

We’re pretty silent during the ride, and the atmosphere between us is thick and awkward. Maybe going off campus was a bad idea? At least there, we could find some neutral ground to interact on. I’m about to go straight into the lion’s den, where he’ll have every advantage to … what?

Torture me?

Seduce me?

Only work on the English project with me?

I realize I’m paranoid for no actual reason. Liam hasn’t done anything to me as of late to give any indication he has ulterior motives tonight. When we pull up to the house, I try my best to relax. I don’t want the whole evening to be this tense.

All rational thought temporarily leaves my mind as my eyes take in his family’s beach house. A more apt description of it would be beach mansion. My jaw drops at the sprawling two-story structure that looks like a blend of modern and Italian architecture. Liam gets out the car, and I stumble to do the same and follow him up to the front door. The opulence of the interior of the house is more mind-boggling than the stately exterior. It’s all sleek, black and white surfaces, with glass walls that fold open to reveal a breathtaking view of the ocean.

“Holy shit,” I murmur.

I glance toward him. He’s rubbing the back of his head, ruffling his already messy black hair, as though uncomfortable.

“Yeah, it’s cool, I guess,” he replies with a shrug.

“Jesus Christ, Liam, this place is incredible!”

He lifts his shoulders again, his mouth tight. There’s a look in his eyes that just seems sad, though he’s doing everything he can to mask it.

I’m curious what could weigh down a guy who lives in a place like this?

Is the view too spectacular?

In an attempt to lighten the mood, I ask, “Are your mom and dad home?”

His mouth thins even more, until I can’t see his lips. “Not usually. I think they’re in Italy this weekend, watching my older brother do some stupid fucking race.”

Ah, there it is. I think I’ve just stumbled onto the reason for that underlying sadness. My heart hurts a little for him because that sadness isn’t so unfamiliar to me.

“It sucks when nobody’s there,” I say softly, thinking of my own mom and how I was never the priority I should’ve been to her.

He looks down at me, his expression unreadable. “You sound like you know exactly what that’s like.”

I drop my gaze to the scuffed toes of my white te

Not that she was a great parent before she had to disappear.

“We should get to work,” I quickly say. “We’ve got a lot to do and haven’t really started any of it.”

He looks like he wants to press me. To dig in and uncover all my dirty secrets. It’s a relief when he appears to let the matter go, shaking his head in bafflement before turning and walking toward the open concept kitchen.

“You want something to drink?” he asks over his shoulder. “We should have beer. Maybe wine.”

“Beer’s fine,” I answer.

“You don’t have to drink if you don’t want to,” he says, opening the fridge. “We’ve got some soda and juice, too.”

“I like beer,” I say with a shrug. After all, I did grow up with Je

He looks at me from around the fridge door, his brow cocked, and his lips curled in a surprised grin. “Huh, wouldn’t have thought a goody-two-shoes like you would indulge.”

I roll my eyes as I lean against the huge glass-topped kitchen island. “Just because I care about school doesn’t mean I’m a saint.”

He chuckles, grabs two fancy craft beers and walks over to set one before me.

“Ellis’s got a rebellious side,” he teases. “Sexy. Very sexy.”

I scowl at him but can’t help the blush that creeps into my cheeks. He’s acting so differently than any of the times we’ve interacted at school. Even during our late-night swims, he was never this friendly. It’s as if some weight or tension has been lifted off him, and he’s fully relaxed for the first time since we’ve met.

Is this what he’s always like when he’s not around Saint and Gabe?

I like this casual, approachable Liam with his black t-shirt and exposed tattoos and easy grin. He seems like someone I could genuinely enjoy being around.

We grab our beers and move to the living room. I go to grab my backpack from where I left it by the door.

“Okay, so I did do a little prep-work so we’re not starting from total scratch,” I say, sitting next to him on the plush leather couch and pulling my bag into my lap so I can dig around inside for my binder. “I’ve already compiled a list of Dickens’ works that I think we should focus on. We could center our theme around his portrayal of the poor in his writing.”

“Holy shit, Ellis. You’re the best partner ever.”

I shoot him a shy grin. “I just like to be prepared.”

I’m in the process of pulling out my binder and notebook when the doorbell suddenly rings, one of those fancy bells that plays Mozart. Frowning, I glance to the door, then to Liam.

“Expecting anyone?”

He shakes his head, but his expression darkens. “No … I wasn’t.”

He pushes to his feet and moves around me toward the door. I watch him open it, and my stomach twists when it’s Saint standing on the other side of the threshold.

Only he’s not alone.

I can see a whole group of students from Angelview gathered behind him, including Gabe and Laurel. They’re staring through the door at me in clear shock.

Liam’s shoulders tense, and I can see his profile tighten with rage.

“What the hell are you guys doing here?” he growls.

Saint stares him dead in the eye as he offers a taut, lifeless smile. There’s a simmering anger in his gaze as well, though I can’t begin to imagine why.

“Heard there was a party. Didn’t want to miss out.”

He tries to push past Liam, but my study-buddy doesn’t budge an inch.

“There’s no party here, you knew that already.”

Saint turns his frigid gaze toward me, and his nostrils flare. “You two go

I gape at him, horrified. He stares right back at me, as if daring me to say something. Liam’s face is turning red and he looks like he’s on the verge of violence.

Something must be going on between the two for Liam to have such an intense reaction to Saint showing up on his doorstep. I would’ve thought such a thing would be a regular occurrence, but there appears to be trouble in filthy, spoiled rich boy paradise.

Whatever the drama, I don’t need to be part of it.

I pack up my bag and stand.

Moving next to Liam, I look up at him and say, “Maybe we can just reschedule?”

His brown eyes fly to mine. “No, we don’t need to.”

“Ahhh, so you were go