I step into the dark alcove with a frown. Leaning against the wall where I found Vincent, I wonder how else I could have played it.

Part of me wanted to chase after him, but that angry, rejected look on his face told me he probably wouldn’t have listened anyway.

Truth is, I’d love to go out with him. I’d love to have a back and forth conversation. I’d like to watch the way his lips move when he forms an answer, stare at his chiseled jawline while the muscles clench and unclench.

There’s something so strong about his face. I’ve been spying it any chance I can get and between that and his letters, I’m scoring myself a great big crush.

But he’s Vincent Mancini.

I mean, I don’t care, but everyone else sure will.

They won’t see past his family name and angry scowls to the sweet guy underneath. I could try and tell them, but they won’t hear me.

How am I supposed to get out of the house to even go on a date with him? Mom and Dad are still being super cautious, even though Dad’s apprehended the second attacker. He can’t charge him with attempted rape because I still haven’t stepped up. I was prepared to, but I heard Dad say that the guy had illegal drugs on him and they’ll charge him with that instead. So I don’t have to admit the truth anymore.

It’s still a cowardly way out, but I’m worried about his reaction.

Rahn’s already sad that I can’t go to St. Michael’s with her anymore. If I can just give it a couple more weeks, Mom and Dad will cool down and I can go again.

Rahn.

I stand up straight.

Maybe she can help me.

Turning out of the alcove, I’m about to walk down the corridor when the music room door opens. I recognize Max’s laughter before I see her. Ducking back into the alcove, I hide away and play spy.

She’s walking out the door with Cairo. He has a loved-up look on his face. His hand is on her lower back and he smiles before bending down to kiss her. She leans into it, threading her hands around his neck and deepening the kiss.

Oh really!

Well, this is interesting.

So Maddie gets Holden and Max has Cairo.

I wonder if Maddie knows about this. I sure didn’t.

Max leans her forehead against Cairo’s cheek. Oh my gosh, she’s one hundred percent smitten! She whispers goodbye, pecks his lips one more time, then walks up the stairs without him.

I see, they’re going secret with the whole dating thing. Cairo watches her walk away, looking kind of dismal about it. I bet he wants to hold Max’s hand and claim her in front of everyone, but she won’t let him do it.

But why?

I snicker and shake my head. Because of Dad. She’s afraid if she tells someone the truth, she’ll lose Cairo. It’s not like Dad’s going to open his arms and welcome some longhaired rock star into Max’s life.

Pursing my lips, I consider what my sister is doing. You know, her reasoning is kind of valid. And if she can do it, maybe I can too.

Determination fires through me. I wait for Cairo to leave and then subtly follow him up the stairs. As soon as I’m back in the hallway, I run to Rahn’s locker.

She’s there, busily chatting with someone who’s only half listening.

“Hey.” I bounce up to her, already giddy with my plan.

Although I’m kind of nervous too.

But Rahn’s a romantic like me; surely she’ll understand.

“Can we talk?”

“Sure.” Rahn checks her watch. “We’ve got like five minutes before the bell goes.”

“I’ve got a free period now. Do you?”

She looks thoughtful and then gives me a wicked grin. “I can have a free period now.”

“I don’t want you to get in trouble.” I wince.

“It’s just PE.” She sticks out her tongue. “I’ll tell Coach Keenan that I’ve got major cramps. As soon as you mention anything to do with the female anatomy, he goes pale and excuses you from anything. As long as I’m there before the end of the period, it’ll be okay.” She giggles and threads her arm through mine. “So, hey, why weren’t you in the cafeteria at lunch?”

“That’s what I need to talk to you about.”

Her black eyebrows wiggle. “Oooo, intrigue. I love it!”

“Oh yeah, I’m pretty sure you’re going to adore this, once you get over your shock.”

“O-kay.”

Pulling her toward the library, I figure we can pretend we’re working on an assignment together.

I pick a table in a quiet corner at the back and lean my arms against the wood. Rahn leans in too, her brown eyes dancing with excitement.

“You’ve got to swear that you will not say anything to anyone.”

“Okay.”

“No, I’m serious. This is super top secret.”

“Got it.” Rahn gives me a serious look. “I promise. I won’t utter a word to anyone.”

“Okay.” Pulling in a breath, I go to start talking, then stop and squeeze her arm. “Oh yeah, and you need to be quite open-minded on this one.”

Her eyes narrow. “Chloe Barlow, what are you into?”

I cringe and softly whisper, “Vincent Mancini.”

Her lips drop with a gasp. Slapping my hand over her mouth, I glance over my shoulder to make sure no one’s watching.

“Shhh,” I whisper. “It’s a long story.”

“Then you better start talking,” she mumbles beneath my hand.

I release her and, with a jittery smile, launch into the week I’ve just had. I’m really careful how I word the near attack at the church. As expected, Rahn feels awful, but I distract her with all the positives that have come out of it.

She’s eventually won over by the romance of it all. I even show her one of Vincent’s letters and she totally swoons.

“I can’t believe this. What a sweetheart.”

“I know, right?”

“So why does he always look like a scary asshole?”

“It’s a front.” I shrug, folding the letter and tucking it back into my bag. “I don’t know exactly why he does it, but I want to find out those details. I want to find out everything about him.” I look to the ceiling and can’t help a dreamy smile.

It’s really sinking in that Vincent Mancini asked me out, and unlike Holden Carter, I feel like he really means it.

“Aren’t you a little scared? I mean, what if he’s just putting on a front to get you somewhere quiet and alone?”

“I honestly don’t think he is. And before you remind me of my Holden Carter experience, I just want to say how different this is. When it comes to romance, I’ve always been the chaser. I’ve flirted and put myself in their line of vision, done everything I can to make them want me. But with Vincent, I haven’t even tried. I’ve just been myself. I swear these notes feel like pieces of his heart. I trust him.”

Rahn bites her lip, still looking cautious.

“He saved me. I don’t think he has any dark ulterior motives.”

“I just want you to be safe. His family is—”

“I don’t think he’s going to let me anywhere near his family.”

“Okay.” Rahn bobs her head. “Okay, so… all right. I’ll help you, but you’ve got to promise that you’ll go somewhere public and safe.”

“Public?” I cringe. “I wouldn’t be asking you to keep this a secret if I was happy to go public.”

“No, I mean, a busy area, like…” She sits up and snaps her fingers. “There’s a fair near Brazenwood. It runs over Spring Break. That would be the perfect place to go on a date.”

“But won’t there be Armitage people there?”

“Maybe.” Rahn shrugs. “But it’s a fair. There’ll be plenty of places to hide and if anyone spots you, you can just say you bumped into Vincent and were having a little chat.”

I give her a skeptical frown. “Like that’ll fly.”

“Hey, it’s the best solution I’ve got, and I won’t agree unless you promise that you’re going to hang out somewhere open and public.”

I roll my eyes with a sigh. “Okay, fine. I promise. I’ll find him and ask him to take me to the fair.”

“Good.” Rahn nods. “Then I will officially cover for you, saying that we’re off doing something girly—like a movie and milkshakes afterward.”

“We’ll have to get our stories straight.”

“We will.” She grins.

“Are you sure you don’t mind doing this for me?”

Taking my hand, she gives it a squeeze. “You’re my soul sister. Of course I don’t mind.”

“Thank you.” I lean across and kiss her cheek. “You’re the best.”

“Yeah, well, I expect a very detailed rundown of events the next day…and you can buy me lunch while you’re telling me about it.”

“Deal.”

She winks and giggles before grabbing her stuff and hauling ass to the gym before the bell rings.

Grabbing a pen and sheet of paper out of my bag, I quickly compose a letter to Vincent. I hope he gets it before the end of the day. I can’t wait to wipe that sad, rebuffed look off his face.