Hannah reassured Cody for the thousandth time that she was okay before he agreed to leave her in the library. She didn’t have class until after lunch and since discovering her laptop had smashed after she dropped it to avoid getting hit by Harrison’s car, the library was the only place Hannah could get any work done. Not actual schoolwork—she’d been done for weeks. But she was busy studying her tennis opponent for her match on Saturday.

She’d been alone for less then five minutes before Madison Carmichael approached her. “Hannah, right?”

Hannah nodded.

“I heard what happened this morning! Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine, but my laptop wasn’t so lucky.”

“Oh no. Do you need a new one? I’d be happy to let you borrow mine.”

Hannah looked skeptically at the gorgeous brunette. She was even prettier up close. “Thanks for the offer, but I just signed this one out from the school.”

“Oh, right,” Madison said looking at the laptop like a moron. “I love your blazer,” she added, sitting down at Hannah’s table. “I never noticed how cute you dressed before.”

Hannah shrugged. Madison apparently interpreted it to mean she could ask more questions.

“So did Cody Matthews really save you?”

“Yeah. I guess he did.”

“Are you two . . . dating?” Madison asked.

“I don’t like to put labels on things.”

Hannah smiled to herself, thinking Cody would laugh if he heard her quoting him. “The truth is I just feel bad for the guy.”

Madison snorted. “Yeah, he’s a total fuck up.”

Hannah cringed at the cruelty in Madison’s voice. She nodded. “Yeah, I guess. But he just follows me around like a lost puppy.”

“I get it,” Madison said. “He is hot. But just be careful. Hanging around with Cody isn’t good for your reputation.”

“I know. I was going to ditch him already but I’m sort of just using him for his key to the masquerade.”

Madison’s mouth fell open. “Harrison’s party?”

“That’s the one.”

“Really?” A grin snaked across Madison’s pretty face. “Ya know, I could probably get you your own key. Then you wouldn’t have to drag Cody’s dead weight around.”

“Oh, I don’t want you to go through any trouble.”

“No trouble at all,” Madison said, standing.

* * *

“You said what?” Cody growled from their spot on the lawn.

“I did what you said. Why are you getting so mad?” Hannah asked taking a swig of the vanilla latte Cody bought her for lunch from their private campus kiosk.

“I didn’t tell you to mention our plan!”

“The best lie is a true one.”

“What?”

“If I can get my own key to the party, then I won’t have to sneak in using yours. It means that they’ll want me there. That’s the whole point of this. Making actual friends and memories in my last few weeks of school.”

“Hannah, I hate to break it to you, but you don’t just dress pretty one day and get invited into the Goldens inner circle. They’re up to something.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, but I think we’re about to find out.”

Harrison Cohl was sauntering toward them looking like he’d just walked out of a GQ ad. “Hannah, darling. I just heard your laptop was damaged in our little run in this morning. Is this true?”

“Well . . . I mean . . . yes, but,” she blushed, realizing she was stammering like an idiot.

“Well that won’t do. What’s your home address? I’ll send a replacement over today.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary. I have a computer at home. And my father always has extras laying around.”

“Nonsense. I own up to my responsibilities.” Harrison said glaring at Cody. “Where shall I send your new laptop?”

“She said she doesn’t want anything from you,” Cody growled.

“Does he always speak for you?” Harrison asked looking at Hannah with concern.

Hannah glared at Cody. “No, I make my own decisions.”

“Good. You see, Cody, I’m simply dealing with my indiscretions like a gentleman. When you break something, you should offer to repair it. Not get it drunk and drive it into a tree.”

Cody snapped. He was on his feet in an instant. He had Harrison by the throat, rammed against the trunk of the massive oak they’d been sitting under. Harrison held his arms up in surrender, as Hannah tried uselessly to pull Cody away before he got himself expelled.

“You don’t get to talk about her,” Cody growled, fury radiated off him in waves.

“Or, what? You’ll kill me too?”

“Stop it!” Hannah yelled, finally shoving her way between them.

She kept one hand on Cody’s heaving chest while Harrison smoothed out his blazer.

“Be careful, Hannah. I’d hate to see him ruin another sweet girl.”

Harrison shook his head and walked away, as the rest of the campus stared at Hannah and Cody—cell phones out to capture the whole embarrassing scene.

No chance the Goldens didn’t know who Hannah was now.