Page 42 of Jump on Three

I scoffed. “I expect your trust fund will cushion the impact of having a real job.”

Freddie sighed heavily, as though he was the most put-upon person on campus. “I have to graduate college before I can access any of it, Ivan. And if I want complete control, I have to be married. Married. How heteronormative.”

“At least you aren’t required to marry a woman.”

“Hmph. That is only because my grandfather never considered any other option. If he could have foreseen me, I’m sure he would have added in that clause.”

I held the dining hall door open for him and followed him inside. My survey of the area was automatic. My father was paranoid for his safety and had taught me to be aware of my surroundings at all times. In a crowded dining hall, that was difficult and mostly unnecessary on campus, but habits were hard to shake.

I wasn’t just checking out the crowd, anyway. I spotted Evelyn carrying her tray toward the salad bar. She must have already hit the bakery.

Freddie and I parted, and my feet took me in Evelyn’s direction. As I drew near, Ryan Shin sidled up beside her, bumping his tray against hers. She did not acknowledge him, but his mouth moved quickly as he spoke to her. She was focused on preparing her salad, brow crinkled, bottom lip caught between her teeth.

I had seen this kid following her around previously, talking to her, smiling at her, getting in her space. If she noticed or cared, she didn’t show it.

I noticed.

I cared.

Killing the distance in long strides, I knocked my shoulder into Ryan’s. Hard.

His head jerked up and away from Evelyn, a puckered scowl on his busy mouth. When his eyes landed on me, it fell away. “Hey, man. Am I a ghost or something?”

I blinked at him. “What?”

He chuckled. “You ran into me like you didn’t see me. I was thinking maybe I’m invisible.” His eyes went round. “Boo!”

Evelyn peered at him over her shoulder. “You don’t seem upset about possibly being dead.”

Ryan shrugged. “Nah, it seems legit. I can still follow you around, so I’m good.” Then he cocked his head at me. “Though I’m not feeling Sokolov ramming his massive shoulder into me. If I have to die young, I shouldn’t have to feel any pain. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

“There doesn’t have to be a point,” Evelyn answered. “It isn’t as if you get a choice in the matter.”

Ryan laughed while I shot him a pinched glare. His attention completely on Evelyn, he did not seem to notice, and she wasn’t paying attention to either of us.

Finally, Ryan glanced at me, one brow winging. “Uh, was there something you needed from me?”

I shook my head. “No, I need nothing from you.”

Evelyn meticulously worked her way down the salad bar, placing precise amounts of each item on her plate and arranging them so nothing overlapped, even though they eventually would. The vegetables were spread peacock feathers on a bed of lettuce. She did this every day, making her meal special in appearance, even if it was always the same thing.

Ryan cleared his throat. “Okay, well, that’s cool, but what’s with the hovering?”

I reluctantly gave him my attention. Flicking my gaze from his to his empty plate, I raised a brow. “It seems we are both hovering.”

He was at this salad bar for the same reason I was—and it had nothing to do with leafy greens or broccoli florets.

Our reason picked up her tray and walked off without looking back. I laughed under my breath, and Ryan shook his head.

“I don’t get her,” he muttered.

“And yet, I keep seeing you trying to talk to her.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Is it not obvious she is not interested in you?”

He scoffed, running a hand through his inky hair. “I don’t get you either. You show up here in the fall, lay immediate claim to Delilah—I mean, I know she’s with Astor now, but you were all over that for a while—and now, you’re trying to move on to the other sister. Is it because you couldn’t keep the first one? Is that what’s happening? I’ve been doing my due diligence. I’m not going to back down just because you think you have some right to both Kastanos twins.”

My jaw rippled. While I wasn’t worried about this kid, I did not appreciate his analysis of the situation. He was far off base, but his words crawled down my spine like an army of ants.

“Due diligence?” I didn’t like the sound of that.