Read Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side for Free Online Page B

sloppy joes but picked up some French fries. " Cartofi pai. At least we have these in Romania."
     
    "By the way, where'd you get the drink?" I asked, pointing to his tray, which held a huge plastic cup emblazoned with the logo ORANGE JULIUS. "You're not allowed to go off campus, you know."
     
    "Ahh, the terrors of detention." Lucius sighed, lifting the cup to sip through the fat straw. Red, clotted liquid advanced upward. He swallowed with satisfaction. "Not enough to deter me from the pleasures of a 'Strawberry Julius.' I fear I'm addicted."
     
    "You should toss that out," I said, reaching for the cup. "Seriously, if you get caught..."
     
    Lucius swiped the drink away before I could touch it. "I think not. And I strongly urge you not to spill this."
     
    I glanced up at his face, not sure what he meant. His black eyes were mischievous.
     
    "Come on," I said, taking some lime Jell-O. "We're holding up the line. Let's go pay if you don't want anything else."
     
    We carried our trays to the cash register, and as I dug into my pockets, Lucius whipped out his wallet and flipped it open. "My—dubious—treat."
     
    "No way." I located a few dollars wadded in my pocket, but Lucius was faster. He handed the cafeteria lady a twenty-dollar bill.
     
    "Keep the change." He smiled at her, folding his wallet and lifting both our trays.
     
    "But—," she started to protest.
     
    "He's not used to our money yet," I explained, turning to Lucius. "Our lunch only cost, like, six dollars."
     
    Lucius frowned. "Jessica, do you not think I'm familiar with the valuations of numerous world currencies—especially the American dollar, which is the universal standard? I live in Romania, not a sealed box."
     
    The cafeteria lady was still holding out the change, looking uncertain. "I'll give it to him later," I said, accepting the cash.
     
    "Look, there's Melinda," Lucius noted, carrying both our trays, "waving at us somewhat hysterically. She is rather ... effervescent, isn't she?"
     
    "I suppose you're eating with us." I sighed, following as he glided through the maze of tables, headed toward Mindy. Some of the other students glanced up, or edged away even, as the tall teenager in the crisp white shirt, black pants, and polished boots passed by. Lucius didn't seem the least bothered by the attention. On the contrary, I got the sense that he felt he deserved nothing less.
     
    "Hey, Jess." Mindy grinned when we reached the table. She blushed. "Hi, Lucius."
     
    "Melinda, so nice to see you," Lucius said, sliding our trays onto the table. "You look stunning today."
     
    My best friend flushed with pleasure. "Why, thank you. Must be my new shirt. It's Abercrombie, from an outlet." She pointed to Lucius's fitted black trousers. "And speaking of clothes, those pants rock. Does everybody in Rome dress like you? Or just the other royal kids?"
     
    "Romania," I corrected. "Not Rome."
     
    "Oh, it's all European." Mindy waved me off, still staring at Lucius in a way that could only be described as raptly. "Either way, the pants are supercool."
     
    Lucius smiled. "I'll tell my tailor his work is 'rockin' and 'supercool.' I'm sure he'll be gratified to learn that he can compete with the Gap."
     
    He moved to pull out a chair for me, but it was my turn to grab his hand. "I'll get it."
     
    "As you wish," he said, stepping back.
     
    "Oh, I wish I lived in Romania." Mindy sighed, propping her chin in her chubby hands. "Your manners are so . . ."
     
    "Impeccable." Lucius supplied the word for her.
     
    "Oh, great," I muttered, searching my tray. "I forgot a spoon."
     
    "I will be right back," Lucius offered, rising.
     
    "No, I'll get it," I insisted, standing up, too.
     
    Lucius moved behind my chair, clasped my shoulders in those powerful hands, and gently but firmly guided me back into my seat. He leaned over me, speaking softly, still holding my upper arms. His cool breath grazed my ear, and I got that traitorous, ticklish feeling in my