Inheritance by Malinda Lo Read Free Book Online Page A

you should be prepared to reveal something—you can determine what that is—about your relationship. If you’re simply friends, that’s fine.” Diana’s smile turned mischievous. “Although to be honest, it’s going to be hard to sell that. You both have little tells that indicate something’s going on.”
    Tells?
Reese wanted to ask what they were, but she bit her lip instead.
    Diana continued: “The thing is, if there is something romantic going on, it’s absolutely to your advantage. You’re both attractive, smart young adults.”
    Reese’s face grew warm. Maybe that was a tell. She couldn’t help it if she got embarrassed easily.
    “You look good together. You obviously have a strong connection because of your debate team experience. And like I said, everybody loves a high school romance.” Diana leaned forward, her expression turning serious. “You don’t have to reveal everything. There’s no need to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. But the two of you will need to discuss what you want to reveal, so that you’re both on the same page.” Diana stood. “Now I’m going to leave you alone while I make sure Bonnie’s got everything rung up correctly. Take your time and talk about this. I’ll be waiting for you outside.” She gave them a quick smile and left, shutting the door behind her.
    The room seemed unnaturally quiet in her wake. When Reese shifted on her end of the couch, the slide of her jeansagainst the upholstery sounded as rough as sandpaper. She looked at David sideways, not quite meeting his eyes. “So,” she said, and then didn’t know what else to say.
    “So,” David repeated.
    Reese was nearly overcome by a desire to flee, and she dug her fingers into the edge of the couch cushion, as if to anchor herself in place. She had run away from this before. She didn’t want to run anymore, but it was so hard not to fall back into old habits. If she got up right now and left, they could avoid all of this. Maybe Sophia Curtis wouldn’t ask at all, and then Reese could entirely avoid the possibility that their kiss had been an anomaly.
David wouldn’t do that
, she told herself.
He wouldn’t kiss you if he didn’t mean it.
She made herself look at him.
    He smiled at her, and the corners of his eyes crinkled. “I don’t think we’re just friends anymore,” he said.
    Her breath got stuck in her throat. “No?” she managed to say.
    David’s left hand curved over her right, his fingers gently loosening the death grip she had on the couch. “You tell me.”
    A flutter of panic rose in her. There he was, at her fingertips. Every time they touched, it never failed to shock her: the intimacy of it, the frightening yet exhilarating closeness. And he was nervous. Despite the confidence with which he spoke, she felt the tightness in his stomach, his uncertainty as he reached out to her. She turned to face him, her leg sliding up onto the couch, their hands resting together on her thigh. He was reading her—the way her body leaned toward him, the blood flushing her skin, the buzz that radiated through her from where their fingers were entwined.
    “I don’t think I need to tell you,” she said, and as she spoke the words out loud, wonder rose in her. This thing that had been done to them—this new sensitivity they had to each other, to the world—she was suddenly grateful for it. David could always know how she felt. She could always know how he felt. It was a gift.
    “What do you want to tell Sophia Curtis?” he asked.
    “I guess we can tell her the truth.”
    “Maybe we should go over it, out loud.”
    “Okay.” She found that she couldn’t think very clearly when he was looking at her like that—especially when she was holding his hand and knew where his thoughts were heading. If she went along with it, they wouldn’t be talking for much longer. That wouldn’t normally be a problem, except Diana Warner was waiting for them outside and they really did need to