Chapter 14: Operation: Phone

I tried to push away what sparks I felt from the kiss with Zander. Last night it had been hard to fall asleep without thinking about our lips touching. The kiss was felt through my every being. I even dreamed about Zander and woke up sweating. It was so wrong.

Ash would’ve been so mad at me for doing what I did. I had guilt over what I did but would’ve done it again if I had to. I had no choice the night before. But I sure wouldn’t tell Ash what had happened.

We always tried to tell each other the truth and didn’t keep secrets. I had to keep that tiny secret from him. It wasn’t a serious kiss though.

I took a shower after breakfast and tried to push thoughts about Zander away. I had to face him again soon. He probably wouldn’t bring it up again. I hoped he wouldn’t. Facing these new feelings was a problem.

Before lunch, I decided to visit Zander and attempt to get my phone again. I mean, it couldn’t go any worse than yesterday. I had a new plan that would be better than the last time. My plan came to me while I ate breakfast.

I had noticed that Emerald had a major attraction to Zander. Everyday she had tried to sit by Zander and flirted shamelessly with him. At one point, I saw her touch his arm and feel his biceps. My stomach flipped over at the thought of Emerald touching him.

It wasn’t like he was my guy, however. Something about Emerald liking Zander didn’t sit well with me. I had to shut off my own feelings. Her attraction to him never bothered me before. Why did it matter now? I was taken and engaged, so I couldn't have Zander even if I desired him.

I knocked on Zander’s door, and he stood there shirtless. I tried to look away but found my eyes drawn to his six-pack abs. Ash had some muscle but not like that. I was tempted to touch Zander’s abs to see how they’d feel.
Stop thinking like that. I put my hands in my pockets and resisted from what my heart wanted.

“If you take a picture it’ll last longer princess,” Zander told me teasingly.

Had I been checking him out too long? He needed to stop being so smug about everything.

“I wasn’t staring at your abs.” I covered my mouth with my hands. Then I quickly added, “I actually came here to talk to you about something.”

Zander held his pointer finger up and went to put a shirt on. Then he peeked into the room. I guessed he made sure he was alone, since he was sharing with others. It was good to do, so no one found out what we were up to.

He said, “Now what do you want to tell me?”

“I’ve got a plan to get my phone back. I need your help still.”

He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Does my help involve kissing you again?” Zander moved a step closer to me and said, “I’ll kiss you again if I have to."

I dropped my mouth open and said, “Absolutely not.” I paused and tried to calm down. “You need to distract Emerald. You know she’s got a thing for you.”

His face fell as he folded his arms over his chest. Zander glanced into the room and then back at me.
In a bored tone, Zander said, “I hadn’t noticed. But I can do that.”

How had he not known she liked him? But how wasn’t he interested in a girl like Emerald? She was pretty in an effortless way. Part of me was happy he had no interest in Emerald.

I wanted to whack myself upside the head for being happy about his disinterest. Ash was my fiancé, not Zander.

“Great. Thanks for helping me out. I forgot to tell you that last night,” I said after seconds passed.

“I think you already said thank you with your lips last night.”

I took a few steps back from him and crossed my arms defensively. I needed to get away from him.

As I walked away, he grabbed my arm gently. He looked into my eyes deeply.

“I can do anything you need me to. Just ask Cleo.”

My heart thudded in my chest while I felt my throat get dry. What had he just offered? I shook my head and walked off towards Emerald’s room. I couldn’t handle how his words had touched my heart. Why was he bothering me so much?

I thought my heart had been with Ash. Confusion came over my whole being. Why did I kiss Zander and ruin my the good growing friendship? His kiss was different than Ash’s. Ash was always more careful about his kisses while Zander awakened my every nerve.

I pushed those thoughts away and hid in the room beside Emerald's. It was thankfully empty.

With my great hearing, I overheard Zander talking with Emerald. I didn't want to listen in but had to. My brain told me I shouldn’t care about what he said. It was my heart that wanted to know what was happening.

Zander said, “Hey Emerald. I was wondering if you want to eat lunch with me outside.”

Her voice sounded cheerful, “Yeah I’d like that. Do you want to go now?”

There was a pause for a few seconds before he said, “Sure. I’m starving.”

“Great. I know this amazing spot to eat at.”

I snuck a peek and saw them walk down the hall. She walked extremely close to him and was holding his hand. Zander didn’t look happy. I smiled at his unhappiness about being around Emerald.

I couldn’t believe how relieved I felt. But I didn’t think Emerald needed to hold his hand like that. She wasn’t even dating him and had no right.

Part of me wanted to tell her off. It kind of felt like my heart was being punched at seeing them together. I needed to stop it. He wasn’t mine.

When I stopped hearing their footsteps, I made my way to her room. It was a lot smaller than mine and had a desk, dresser, and bed. The room was painted a dull gray color, and no personal touch was in her room.

I had to hurry and went searching through drawers. My phone ended up being in her sock drawer. It could’ve been in a worse place.

I took it out before reorganizing the drawer back to its original order. Then I speed walked back to my suite. Part of me wondered if Zander really was eating lunch with Emerald. I hoped he ended up leaving her and felt guilty again.

I unlocked my phone and checked my messages first. My hands started to sweat a little. I scrolled through the texts slowly.

There were messages from friends in the pack and from mom and dad. I didn’t see any from Ash but knew he liked calling better than texting me. Maybe there’d be a call from him.

My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach when I saw I had no voicemails from Ash.