“Doesn’t have to be right now,” he says, unbothered. Why, today of all days, is Salem just … chill? And like in an “I have all the patience in the world for you” kind of way, as opposed to a “none of this shit matters” kind of way?

Oh, right, he probably woke up under Jenna London. That’d put most guys in a great mood, I imagine.

“I can do my own reading, thank you,” I spit. “I’m not a child.”

Well, that seems to do it. “What the fuck, Evie? Is this just PMS or did I do something to you?”

“Yes, please, add a spoonful of misogyny,” I growl. “That’ll help your cause.”

“I don’t have a fucking cause; I thought I was sitting down with a friend and working together, like we’ve done, oh, I don’t know, about fifty times since we got here. But I didn’t even see you yesterday, so I really don’t know what the hell I could’ve done between hanging out in my room on Friday and now.” Salem’s eyes flash what in warm brown eyes might’ve been fire, but in his cool gray is just plain lightning. “Is this about the laundry? You said it was fine, and Sabrina said she told you where I was.”

“She did.”

“Well then did I get a red sock into your whites or something?”

“Do you even own a red sock?”

“No, I don’t, which makes this even more confusing.”

Sitting down with a friend. It’s the first time he’s ever called me that, and it’d probably warm my heart a little if not for all the strings that seem attached to it right now. Which is why I have to ask. “Are we friends, Salem? Or were you always using me to get to Jenna?”

“What?” If the library were busier, the entire room would probably break into angry shushes right now, but as it is, there are only three other students milling about, and no staff, so we get only a few shushes. Still, Salem lowers his voice to regular volume. “We started hanging out before Jenna came into the picture. She doesn’t have anything to do with anything.”

“Then why did you lie about her?”

“I didn’t lie,” he says, though the defiant set his jaw gets when he believes what he’s saying a hundred percent is conspicuously lacking. “I just didn’t mention it.”

“Why? Why not tell me you were hooking up?”

He flutters his ungodly long lashes. “A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell?”