Page 27 of Tasting Innocence
“You’re lying. Did she say something to you?”
He makes a face. “It’s hardly the place to tell me anything secretive. I’m always with Zo, and there’s always a handful of people around. I didn’t even know about this kiss until now.”
“Then, what?”
“I think I may know...but it’s probably not my place to say anything. In fact, I know it’s not, but maybe I’ll talk to her tonight and we can figure something out.”
I exhale, my shoulders dropping. “Thanks.”
Ronan stands up, staring down at me. “In the meantime, you should think about how to tell Renzo about this. I’ll tell you now, he’s completely clueless, so it’s not like I have to lie to him. It’s never crossed his mind that you two would be doing anything. I can guarantee that it will be better to talk to him before he finds out after the fact, though.”
“Yeah, I know,” I reply with a sigh.
“All right. Well, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Yeah, okay.”
After he leaves, I end up falling asleep, and I don’t wake up until lunch when Trevor decides to come in and start jumping on my bed.
“What the fuck?”
He laughs before vaulting himself off the mattress and landing on the floor with a loud thud. “Wake up, sleeping beauty. It’s almost lunch time.”
“Why are you so cheery?”
“Why are you so grumpy?” he counters.
“Probably because I have a dumbass jumping on this already fragile bed while I’m asleep.”
“You’ll be okay.”
I stretch my arms to the side, yawning while I ask, “So, what’s everyone been doing?”
“More tours of the third floor. Monique finally went up and got scared shitless and refuses to explore anymore. Jayden and Shawn found another trap door, and I think they’re still down there, checking it out. And me and Bryant were just walking the grounds. Did you know there was a little maze-like garden out there?”
My head snaps up fast at the way he asked that question. Something in his tone was different.
“Yeah,” I answer slowly. “I was out there last night.”
He nods his head. “That’s right.”
I narrow my eyes at him, wondering if he knows something. “What’s up?”
His lips pull into a grin. “I just remembered something. Last night, when I went up to my room to grab a pack of gum, I happened to look out the window. My room happens to have a pretty good view of the garden.” Amusement flickers in his eyes and I already know what’s coming.
“Just spit it out, Trevor,” I bite.
“You and Violet, huh? I never would’ve guessed. I mean, I didn’t see a whole lot, but enough to know something’s up.”
I jump up and invade his space. “Don’t say a word to anyone.”
He laughs. “Come on, dude.”
“I’m fucking serious, Trev. Zo can’t hear about this before I talk to him.”
Trevor shakes his head, stepping back. “Well, good luck with that.”
“Don’t tell anyone. I don’t even know what’s happening between us. Honestly. It’s very new, and almost not even a thing. I can’t explain, but can you keep this to yourself?”
His face softens and he drops the grin. “We all have secrets. I won’t say anything. I promise.”
Relief floods me, and the tension leaves my body. Before I can comprehend the we all have secrets comment, he gives me a reassuring smile and leaves.