“I caught his hand. “What do you want me to do?”Leaning down, he kissed the pulse beating on my neck just above the damaged skin. “Tomorrow, I need you to die.”

“I noticed him right away. No, it wasn’t his lean, rugged face. Or the dark waves of shiny hair that hung just a little too long on his forehead. It wasn’t the slim, collarless biker jacket he wore, hugging his lean shoulders. It was the way he stood. The confident way he waited in the cafeteria line to get a slice of pizza. He didn’t saunter. He didn’t amble. He stood at the center, and let the other people buzz around him. His stance was straight and sure.”

“Well, can you tell her that?"He looked down at his feet. "I will. I will."Guy-speak for, "I plan to keep avoiding her until she gives up.”

“Do I look like I want to be involved in your teen love saga? Ask someone who cares.”

“Do you think we can be friends?” I asked.He stared up at the ceiling. “Probably not, but we can pretend.”

“I will never know you well enough. I will always want more.”

“My name is Arianna Morganna Brittany DuLac--you can imagine why I went by the name Ryan.”