Eight
Careena
I wait until Duke locks up for the day and Alice yells that they’re leaving before I emerge from the studio. My bladder is about to explode and it’s all I can do to hold it in while I waddle to the bathroom. After I wash my hands, I drag myself to the door and lean against it.
“I’m crazy.” I knock my forehead with a fist. “Wake up, Careena.”
I almost wished Mr. Lam had let the photograph fall. Instead, he pushed me up against the wall and made my heart thump like crazy. Just the thought… I put a hand to my chest. The strong beat thuds against my fingertips.
I squeeze my eyes shut, but the darkness allows the memories to resurface—his strong body sheltering mine, his clean scent rubbing off on me, his heartbeat thrumming in my ears. I wrench my eyes open and stare at the
