Page 46 of Jump on Three

My phone vibrated again.

Squatter: It’s just me, Evelyn. Jump.

My knees were liquid as I forced myself to my feet. Three steps to the door, and I reached for it, my hand shaking.

I twisted the lock.

Click.

I didn’t have to do anything else. And I couldn’t. My hand fell limp by my side as the door slowly swung open.

Slipping into the room, Ivan shut the door firmly behind him.

Click.

He locked it.

My fingers pressed into my thighs. One by one, I dug into my favorite tender spot. He was right in front of me. This room was made for one person, not two—and especially not a giant.

He stayed by the door, giving me space, but it didn’t feel like enough.

“You figured it out?” he asked softly.

I nodded.

“How do you know the names of Russian glaciers? I don’t know them, and I lived there my entire life.”

“I like to read, and I have a really good memory.”

“Really?”

I was a terrible liar. If I could have lied and immediately ran away, I might have been convincing. But with Ivan looking at me, believing me, I couldn’t keep it up.

“No, not really. I looked them up before texting you.”

He chuckled at my admission. “I like this. Honest Evelyn.” Then he grew serious, searching my face. “What gave me away?”

“On the bus.” I cleared the boulder from my throat. “You fell asleep, and I saw your playlist…my playlist.”

“Ah.” He bobbed his head. “That makes sense.”

“You weren’t very good at hiding it.”

His mouth hitched, and my breath caught. Ivan’s full smiles were enough to demolish cities. Half of one could bring down a shy girl who couldn’t get her head on straight.

Black and white.

Off-limits.

“It’s almost like I wasn’t trying very hard,” he murmured.

“I—” I tucked my hair behind one ear. “Did you know it was me the whole time?”

“Not the whole time, but yeah, I knew it was you, Evelyn.”

“And…well, why were you texting me?”

“We were having fun, weren’t we?”