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Bonnie knew the minute that Zander and his friends came into the party, because the noise level ay up

Honestly, Zander was calmer than his friends, sort of, at least around Bonnie, but as a group, they were definitely wild

It was kind of irritating, actual y

But when Zander appeared next to her - hip-checking Marcus into a wal on his way - and gave her his long, slow sh-heeled shoes and she forgot al about being annoyed

"Hi!" she said "Is everything okay?" He cocked an eyebrow at her inquiringly "Icame up with your family, and that’s why you’ve been busy"

"Oh, yeah" Zander bent his head down to talk to her, and his warhed "My family’s pretty cos were easier" He looked sad, and Bonnie ih his

"Well, what’s wrong?" she asked, striving for a tone of understanding and reliability A dependable girlfriend tone

"Maybe I can help You know, a fresh ear and al that" Zander frowned and bit his lip "I guess it’s like I have responsibilities My whole family is in a position where there are pros we have to take care of And sometimes what I want to do and what I have to do don’t line up"

"Could you be any ly, and Zander huffed a half laugh "Seriously, what do you mean? What do you have to do? What don’t you want to do?"

Zander looked down at her for aher hand

Bonnie ith hih the party and up the stairs Zander see; he turned a couple of corners, then pushed open a door

Inside was a dored-up table Soe canvas covered with splotches of paint, leaned against the wal

"Do you live in this dorm?" she asked Zander

"No," he said, his eyes on her mouth He pul ed her toward him and rested his hands on her hips And then he kissed her

It was thekiss Bonnie had ever experienced Zander’s lips were so soft, yet fir off al over Bonnie’s body She lifted her hand and cupped it against his cheek, feeling the strong bones of his face and the slight scratch of stubble against her pal their first date, standing on the roof, when it had been like she was flying

So free, and with a wild kind of joy zinging through her She slid her hand to the back of his neck, feeling Zander’s fine pale blond hair brush softly against her fingers

When the kiss ended, neither of theainst each other, breathing hard Their faces were so close, and Zander’s bril iant blue eyes were fixed on hers, warm and intent

"Anyway, that’s what I want to do, since you asked Do you" - his voice cracked - "do you want to go back to the party now?"