The Best of Fools (Jane Austen Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

recognized us from class, but didn't. Until Zoe came over to us all hunched over and laughing so hard tears were pushing mascara down her face.
    "You guys." She leaned into Donovan's chest and his arm wrapped around her. "What on earth are you doing?"
    "We've come to eat," Donovan said. "What else?"
    She laughed. "Come sit at my table. This is just too much."
    We followed her to her table. Or Donovan did. Like a kid chasing a kite. Autumn and I lingered behind them and she elbowed me.
    "Are they a thing?" she whispered.
    "Doubt it. You know him. Flirt to the core. He likes attention from the ladies."
    "One day that'll get him in trouble."
    "Nah. I've never seen him flirt when he has a girlfriend. He's as faithful as they come."
    "What about Alistair? He's willing to wait years. That takes the cake."
    "He didn't say that. He said we'll see what happens and if we're both single we'll meet up. Key word: if."
    "Well, we know you will be unless I get to you."
    "I will be. No doubt about it. I'm not dating anyone until I'm twenty five."
    "You're so weird, but I love you." She sat down and helped me sit beside her. "I so cannot wait to see you dance like that."
    "Uh, this lady is off limits in the dance department."
    "I'll talk you into it."
    "I'd like to see that."

    I let her think she talked me into it, but really I felt stupid sitting alone like a bum while all the pretty people danced the night away. For some odd reason I thought I'd blend in and feel better on the dance floor. Bad, bad, very bad thought. Wrong as I was, I had fun at the expense of everyone else's bewilderment.
    A slow song started. Some popular new song I never heard before. Autumn and I danced together until the next song started. "I've Had the Time of My Life," from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. I so badly wanted to stay for that song, but my bladder had other plans. Autumn stayed behind and continued dancing alone, but I knew within seconds some guy from some dark corner would come and snatch her up.
    I jogged out of the hall and almost bumped into a couple kissing.
    "Sorry," I said, then covered my mouth with my hand. "Oh, Donovan. I see you've been enjoying your night."
    Zoe pulled his face back to her lips and I almost kept watching as a subtle pang of jealousy agitated me.
    Nope.
    Not going to be jealous. Especially of Donovan. Why would I be? I didn't like him like that. We'd never work anyway.
    By the time I got to the bathroom I had already come up with fifty-eight reasons why I was being crazy, but when I walked back to the hall and had to pass their make out session ... I realized I was crazy. I was. Because for the first time since forever, I couldn't stand seeing his hands in another girl's hair.
    So being the strange-o that I am, I stared at them for a few seconds until Zoe stopped and peeked her head around his. He turned, then looked back at her. I don't know why I didn't take that as my cue to go back to being a normal person, but I didn't. I stared at them. Hands at my sides. Alone. My heart beat thumped slowly in my ears like a tender drum beat in the back of the orchestra and a lump formed in my throat. The kind you get right before a speech in front of a bazillion people. I swallowed.
    She peeked around again and he turned, gave me a what-the-heck-are-you-doing kinda face, and turned back to her. She smiled and nodded and he walked over to me.
    "Do you need something?" He pointed over his shoulder. "Cuz if not...."
    "I'm okay." I walked around him and smiled at Zoe. "Take care of that boy. Hurt him and you die."
    She blinked fast. "Um ... I ... okay."
    "She's kidding," he said as his arm flipped over her shoulder.
    "I am." I smiled and walked back into the hall. Autumn waved me over. The music couldn't have gotten anymore obnoxious. Whew. Something about kissing a girl. Seriously?
    I didn't go back to her on the dance floor. Instead I sat down and took a drink of water. Alone.
    Why did that word suddenly bother me more than ever