Penn:
Yes
Olivia:
Do youhave a gig?
Penn:
No gig. I want to see you.
Olivia:
Sorry, I have plans.
My jaw drops. She has plans? With who? Where?
I start to text back, then think better of it, and call her.
“Hello.”
“You have plans, huh?” I ask, trying and failing to keep the distress out of my voice.
“Uh-huh,” she says quietly as if she’s hiding something. Suspicion prickles my skin, but I do my best to stay calm. We agreed to keep things casual, but if she’s coming on my hand and crying out my name while she does it, that makes hermine.
“With Ellie?”
“No. Someone asked me to be their Valentine already.” She sighs. “Shame you waited so long.”
My heart pounds erratically in my chest, and all I can manage to say is, “Huh.” I contemplate my words, but jealousy blurs my mind. I’m too fucking late? Goddamnit. I knew I shouldn’t have waited. I let the guys give me advice, knowing it was a dumb as shit idea. Tanner told me to do it last week, but Liam and Travis said I’d scare her off and to wait unless she brought it up.
Her light laughter hits my ears, reminding me we’re still on the phone. “Penn?” She giggles some more, and the stiffness in my muscles begins to loosen.
“Are you fuckin’ with me?”
“Maybe.” Her voice is amused, and I let out a relieved breath.
“That was mean.”
“I’m sorry.” Her little giggle tells me she’s really not.
“Will you be my Valentine, Barbie?”
“Yes.” I hear the smile in her voice. It matches the one on my face.
“I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Okay. What should I wear?”
“Preferably nothing,” I deadpan.
She laughs. “I’m serious. I need to know how to dress.”
“Dress comfortably. We’re staying in.”
“Okay. And Penn? Please, no gifts. Can we just spend time together without adding extra pressure? I swear I’m not one of those girls who need to be showered on Valentine’s Day. I actually think the holiday is silly. You don’t?—”
“Olivia,” I say, exasperated. “I will see you then. Sleep tight.”
