Even though Julian treated her pretty well, there was just this weird fear Anna couldn't shake off around him. Like, either way, she was doomed—might as well get it over with. With an awkward smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, Anna said, "Wow, what a coincidence! I just saw a guy in the school auditorium who looked almost like you... but honestly, he was just a tiny bit worse. You're still the best-looking one!" Julian didn't mind her overly polite flattery. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it. He set his book aside, patted his thigh, and said lazily, "Come here." There it was. A thigh. Anna had two choices—sit or not sit. Either way, the outcome was the same—live or die. She was seething inside at the blatant threat. Did she look like someone who backed down just

