Love Between Enemies

by Molly E. Lee

  “You deserved both.”

  “You earned that scholarship. Your app was better than mine.”

  I shook my head. “Different, not better. And I found another way to cover school.”

  He eyed my room, the massive amount of space I had, and looked out my open door and down the even longer corridor that led to an even bigger living room. My father wasn’t shy about showing his success in the massive house we lived in.

  He eyed me, his jaw tensing.

  “It wasn’t a big deal,” I said, not wanting him to overthink his newfound luck.

  “Oh really?” he said, challenging.

  I shrugged and swallowed hard.

  “Zoey,” he said. “Your father told me”—he motioned toward the door—“before he came and got me. I know exactly what you gave up for me…and it means everything.”

  My heart thudded hard against my chest. “All I have to do is work at the company. Part-time. It’s not a big deal.” It still felt like a loss, but one that was well worth it.

  He rubbed his palms over his face. “That’s the last thing you wanted to do.”

  “Not true,” I said. “The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you. Screw everything up.”

  “But now you’ve lost it all.”

  “No, I haven’t. Sure, I have to work at the company in the terms that he’ll pay for Stanford. But I still get to go to Stanford. In the end, that is all that matters. So I wanted to do it.”

  “Why?” The knowing look in his eyes said he understood, but he needed me to say it.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” I asked. “After what I did…you had to know what happened between us was real. It wasn’t an act. Wasn’t part of the plan.” My heart raced and heat flushed my cheeks as I forced myself to look him in the eye. “Falling for you was never part of the plan.”

  His eyes widened, something like hope flashing behind them.

  “And you do big things to prove to the person you fell for that you totally did,” I said, trying to shrug off the epicness of the truth that spilled from my mouth.

  Gordon dropped his head into his hands, shaking it. The exhilaration at my admission evaporated to utter embarrassment. He didn’t feel the same way. Omigod I’m an idiot.

  “I’m just so pissed,” he said, bolting out of the chair.

  I stood, too, ready to show him out. At least I had tried. “I completely understand,” I said, my hand on the doorknob. “I hope someday you’ll be able to see that I’m genuinely sorry…and maybe I’ll see you on campus sometime?” I couldn’t help posing the question. I needed hope.

  He stopped an inch before me, sliding his hand over my cheek. Sparks flew across my skin, and I leaned into his palm, never losing his gaze.

  “I’m pissed,” he said again, “because I wasted so much time trying to beat you when I should’ve put all that effort into winning you over.”

  A thrill raced through my blood, my heart flying. “What?” I gasped.

  He reached behind him, pulling something from his back pocket. I smiled at Branch as he handed it to me.

  I bit my lip as I held the trophy to my chest. “But I didn’t lose—”

  “I’m not saying you did,” he agreed. “But I think you should keep him forever.” He cupped my cheek. “Because getting to be with you?” He arched an eyebrow at me, and my breath hitched. “It makes me the biggest winner of all.”

  I grinned, chuckling.

  “Too cheesy?” he asked, smirking.

  “Just enough,” I said.

  He licked his lips, eyeing mine before he glanced at me in question.

  I nodded, unable to form another coherent thought. Instead, I set Branch on my chest of drawers and then closed my door.

  Gordon brought his other hand to my face, cradling me in a gentle way that made my heart beat harder, if that was possible. Agonizingly slow, he inched his lips to mine, brushing me with the softest, and yet hottest kiss ever. I closed my eyes, popping up on my tiptoes to get closer to him. I wrapped an arm around his neck, kissing him harder.

  He smiled against my lips, snaked an arm around the small of my back, and lifted me off my feet to hold me to him. Exhaustion completely forgotten, I lost myself in his arms, his lips, the way his smell unraveled each of my coiled muscles. The weight of the night’s events melted with each flick of his tongue, and I sighed between his lips.

  Gordon pulled back enough to catch my eyes, his breath matching mine. He flashed me that irresistible grin. “So,” he said, gently setting me on my feet. “What are we watching?”

  “I have no idea where to start. You?”

  He shook his head, plopping back down into the chair in the corner. “Not a clue.”

  “We’re a lame pair.” I huffed, scooping up my cell.

  “Who you going to call?” he teased.

  I eyed him over my shoulder, tossing him the remote to the TV. “Texting Braylen.” She’d point us in the right direction. Funny, I didn’t think there was another person on the planet who would need instructions on how to relax, but here Gordon was, in my room, just as lost as I was.

  We really are a pair.

  I loved the sound of it.

  My cell buzzed in my hand.

  Bray: For Zombies, The Walking Dead. For Vampires, The Vampire Diaries. For MC Club, Sons of Anarchy. For utter epic awesomeness, Game of Thrones. For laughs, How I Met Your Mother. And you’re with Gordon? WTH?! Catch me up tonight?

  I typed back absolutely before setting my cell down on the nightstand next to my bed.

  “Verdict?” Gordon asked.

  “Depends,” I said, walking toward him. “You want funny, scary, swoony, or badass?”

  He pressed his lips together, analyzing. “After the night we had? Funny.”

  “You got it.” I reached for the remote in his hand, but he caught my wrist and pulled me down to sit in his lap. I giggled but settled comfortably against him. After a quick kiss, he gave up the remote, and I found the show with an easy search.

  “There are nine seasons?” His eyebrows raised as he glanced the selection on the screen.

  “Think you can handle that much?” I teased, the happiness flooding my body with so much giddiness I couldn’t contain it. We’d forgiven each other, and in the process…found each other. How had I gotten so lucky?

  “Oh,” he said, wrapping his arms around me as he settled back into the chair. “I can handle it.”

  “Perfect.” I clicked on episode one.

  “It’s weird not arguing. We should’ve battled over the show to watch,” he joked, his chin tucked onto my shoulder.

  I laced our fingers together. “I like it better this way.”

  “Me, too,” he said, kissing my shoulder as the show started.

  Though I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anticipating our first debate, because how we felt about each other now?

  It would be one hell of a fight, and I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of our time making up.

  Want to know what happens between rock star Lennon and mathlete Jade? Keep watch for the final book in the Grad Night series, coming soon!

  Did you love this Entangled Teen Crush? Check out more of our titles here!

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  Acknowledgments

  I always thank you first, awesome reader! Thank you for following Gordon and Zoey through this epic party!

  To my husband, thanks for being always being every hero I ever write. Your support means the world to me.

  To my family, thank you for your continued support and love!

  To Stacy, my incredible editor, thanks for making this series the best it possibly can be! Without you this concept would be nothing and I’m so glad we get to “party” together! :) I love working with you and can’t wait for the next one! And to Stephen for helping iron out the kinks and sharpening all the things!

  To Melissa Montovani, thanks for all your incredibly hard work to get this series out in t
he big wide world! You’re amazing!

  To the entire Entangled team who makes working with each of you like one giant wicked-cool family, thank you a million times over! I’m so honored to be part of this crew!

  Molly, my awesome friend, the coolest half of #MollySquared, I don’t know what I’d do without you! I love you. That’s all.

  To Esther, my bestie. This is your and Dylan’s book. Naturally it is filled with proper debates and passion and an unshakable love. Thanks for being an inspiration. :)

  Cindi and Rebecca, you both rock and I wouldn’t be here without you! Thanks for all the great times. I can’t wait till our next signing!

  To Karen, thanks for making me a better writer. I adore you. Always.

  To the amazing bloggers who do ALL the things, you all are my heroes. The hard work you do and the sacrifices you make for this community ARE noticed and so deeply appreciated! Vilma, Natasha, Captain, Tina, Megan, Stephanie, Jillian…my list could go on and on and on! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  Mayhem Members! All of you rock and have made my reader room such a super-fun and awesome place to be! Thank you!

  And finally, again, to you…awesome reader. Thank you. You make all things possible.

  About the Author

  Molly E. Lee is an author best known for her romance novels, the Grad Night series and the Love on the Edge series. She is a 1001 Dark Nights Discover Author for 2017. Molly writes adult and young adult contemporary featuring strong female heroines who are unafraid to challenge their male counterparts, yet still vulnerable enough to have love sneak up on them. In addition to being a military spouse and mother of two + one stubborn English bulldog, Molly loves watching storms from her back porch at her Midwest home and digging for treasures in antique stores. Visit her online at www.mollyelee.com.

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