Dark Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 2) by Amanda M. Lee Page B

said to me.”
    “And don’t you forget it,” Aric said, grabbing the front of my shirt and hauling me to his chest to plant a loud kiss on me. “Grab some sodas for when we’re watching Mark.”
    “Are you sure you want to risk Kelsey’s bladder on refreshments?”
    “I don’t care if she pees in the bottle,” Aric replied, unperturbed. “We are not taking bathroom breaks on a stakeout. She’d better get used to that now.”

    “ I HAVE to go to the bathroom,” Kelsey announced less than five minutes into our stakeout.
    “I told you,” I said, leaning back against one of the cars in the student parking lot. I had no idea who it belonged to, but if someone called me out I was ready to throw down. I forgot how annoying college kids are. I didn’t like myself when I was that age. One hour on Covenant College campus reminded me of how much I hated people under the age of twenty-five.
    “I’ll never argue with your insight again,” Aric said. “You’re the queen of knowledge.”
    “You’re in a bad mood,” I said.
    “I think it’s because that girl told him he reminded her of her father when we were leaving the University Center,” Paris offered.
    “Oh, I thought that was cute,” I said.
    “Shut up, Zoe,” Aric snapped. His ego was taking a beating today.
    “You don’t look like my father,” I reminded him. “That should make you happy.”
    “I have no idea why I fell in love with you,” Aric grumbled, although he didn’t put up a fight when I slipped under his arm and rested my head against his chest.
    “I’m not kidding,” Kelsey whined. “I have to go to the bathroom.”
    Aric sighed. “It’s like I’m babysitting,” he muttered. “That’s what I feel like. You’re all making me feel old … and that’s on top of the students thinking I look like their father. I hope you’re happy.”
    “I’m very happy,” I said, snuggling closer. “I feel … frisky … here. I have no idea whether it’s being at college and remembering how much fun we used to have hanging out, but I feel … frisky.”
    “See, now I’m torn,” Aric said. “I love the idea of you feeling frisky. I hate the fact that I’m the one who has to act like everyone’s father because Kelsey can’t control her liquid intake.”
    “Now you sound like my father,” Kelsey grumbled. “I’m just waiting for you to start screaming at the students to get off your lawn.”
    “The art building is right over there,” Paris said, pointing. “I’ll go with you to the bathroom if you hurry.”
    “Thank you,” Kelsey said, rolling her eyes dramatically as she met Aric’s even gaze. “You’re my favorite person on this stakeout.”
    “Hurry up,” I said. “If Mark comes out and we have to follow him, I’ll text you so you can catch up.”
    “You’d better hurry,” Paris told Kelsey, pushing her in the direction of the art building. “If I miss seeing Mark, I’m going to be mad. I hope he’s going prematurely bald.”
    I watched them go, making sure they were out of earshot before turning back to Aric. “I’m sorry this is so hard on you,” I offered. “I thought you would have a better time.”
    Aric shifted so he could study my face. “I am having a good time,” he said. “I’m not happy about why we’re here, but I’m happy to be here with you. I was just messing around with Kelsey.”
    I wasn’t convinced. “Are you sure?”
    “Zoe, I’m sorry if I’m being grouchy,” Aric said. “I had no idea that coming here would make me consider my mortality. When it’s just us, I feel young and fresh. These kids make me feel old. I don’t like it.”
    I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. “I think you have a few more years before we have to put you out to pasture.”
    “It’s not that,” Aric said. “Things just hit me today. We’re not kids anymore. Intellectually, I think I knew that. You’re so immature that I forget sometimes.”
    I scowled. “Thanks.”
    “I