Best Friends Aren't Forever (Eastbrooke Academy Book 1) by Jillian Dodd

Author:Jillian Dodd [Dodd, Jillian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: teen romance, prep school romance, dating, royalty, best teen books
Publisher: Swoonworthy Books
Published: 2023-06-26T18:30:00+00:00

A little detour.

11:59pm

“You’re late,” Laurent says, opening the door to his room before I even have a chance to knock.

“Yeah, well, I was trying to decide between girl-next-door braid or sexy siren curls,” I say.

“I would have figured you for the curls.”

I grab his hand. “Yeah, I know. And that’s a problem. Let’s go. Quietly.”

We sneak down the hall and out the front door.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he says. “I shouldn’t be doing this.”

When we get outside and away from the building, I say, “You should know that the dean saw me kiss you today. He pulled me aside and asked my intentions.”

“Dean Johnson is really cool,” he says. “What’d you tell him?”

“Well, it’s more what he told me.”

“About my mom?” he asks, looking slightly stricken.

“What about your mom?” I tilt my head in confusion.

“Oh. Um, she had cancer and died about a month ago. We found out I got into Eastbrooke a few days before she passed.”

Tears immediately fill my eyes because I had no idea. I react, pulling him into a hug. “I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been for you. I’m so sorry, Laurent.”

“Thank you.”

We’re both quiet for a minute, and then I smile at him and say, “What Dean Johnson told me is that today is your birthday. So, we’re taking a little detour before we go to the party.”

“Is this a hazing stop?” he says, looking worried.

“Of course,” I say with a laugh.

“Hazing is not funny,” he says seriously.

I stop again and face him. “Do I look like the kind of girl who would allow anyone I know to be hazed?”

He seems to study my eyes, looking for an answer.

“I don’t know. You seem nice, but maybe I’m a bad judge of character,” he says, swaying his head back and forth before finally going, “Okay, where are you taking me?”

I don’t reply, just grab his elbow and lead him up the hill toward the chapel.

Laurent points. “Is that where we’re going?”

“Yeah, to the chapel.”

“The Arrington Chapel.”

“Yes.”

“And the library. It’s called The Arrington Family Library.”

“That’s correct.”

“As in your family?”

“Yes, sir. Want to be my friend now?” I tease.

“I usually stick to myself.”

“What does that even mean?” I ask, sticking my hand against his. “Like this?”

“I know you’re not dumb, and you seem sincere, but you’re also dangerously beautiful.”

I scoff at that. “No, I’m not. And I like to stick to myself too.”

“Yeah, right. You’ve been surrounded by friends since the moment you walked in the place.”

“That’s just because I know a lot of people who go here. But back home, my horse is one of my best friends. Does that count as sticking to yourself, if you’re alone but riding a horse?”

“What’s the horse’s name?” he says with a chuckle.

And I can tell he’s having a little bit of fun. Or maybe loosening up a little.

“Sparky.”

“You choose that name?”

“Yes, when I was twelve.”

“I like it. And, yes, I suppose it counts.”

“I also like to read,” I tell him as we continue our trek.

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