Page 64 of Split or Swallow

“Scared we’ll get lost?”

“No,” said Tem automatically. She didn’t doubt Leo knew his way around the maze. She only doubted whether he’d let her out once he got her in there.

“Come on, then,” he gave her a condescending wink.

Tem let him pull her into the maze.

The world went instantly quiet. Even the birds—a sound she’d become constantly accustomed to—were silent within the towering green walls. Leo took the lead, steering them through turn after turn. Tem wondered if he had the maze memorized. Eventually, he broke the silence:

“So, Tem,” he said. “Do I have a chance with you?”

She looked up at him in shock. It was a bizarre question. The entire training process was designed so that she was the one vying for a chance with him.

“I…don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No,” Tem insisted. “I don’t.”

It was the truth. Up until an hour ago, she’d thought there was nothing redeemable about Leo. But he’d revealed his true self when he’d talked about his father. There was a person under his insufferable exterior. And that person had a chance with her.

They were stopped on the path.

Leo leaned in, his eyes narrowing.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Well, you should.”

“Well, I don’t. Your indifference is infuriating.”

“I’m not indifferent.”

“You certainly act like it.”

“That’s your interpretation.”

He snorted.

“You know you’re the only girl who isn’t throwing herself at my feet? All the others had their hands down my trousers the first night they met me. But not you. How should I interpret that, Tem?”

She shrugged stiffly.

“Interpret it however you like.”

He leaned in even more.

“What I would like is for you to tell me how you feel about me.”

He was far too close to her. But despite his proximity, Tem found she didn’t want to lean away. She liked the way he smelled. And she liked the way he was looking at her. Tem wasn’t used to men looking at her that way—like they wanted her—like she was worth something. The feeling was like a drug. Lilly’s words ran through her mind: He always wants what he can’t have.

Was that the reason Leo was pursuing her? Because she was the only girl whose hands weren’t down his trousers? It wasn’t a good enough reason for Tem. She needed him to want her, specifically, and not just because he couldn’t have her. So she said:

“I’m telling you the truth. I don’t know how I feel about you yet.”

“Yet?”

“I’ve known you for two weeks, Leo. And during those two weeks, we’ve only spent a few hours together. Do you really think that’s enough time to form an accurate opinion?”