It wasn’t even about the prank? I suppress a head shake at their fickle respect. Good thing I was ready to trade it all permanently for a chance with her. “Thanks, guys.”
As they move on, Calvin says beneath faux coughs, “Someone’s getting showered later.” Hoisting a fully clothed Flooder into the communal shower when he wins the girl is floor tradition and a thorough endorsement. Note to self—keep my phone and keys out of my pocket for a day or two.
“Those guys gave you a hard time about me?” Kit asks, insightful as ever. She releases my arm and brushes both hands down on the way to hold mine.
It’s a slower movement than I expect, and I catch her eyes darting down to watch, relishing what’s under her fingertips. In stark contrast to a minute ago, that was completely for her. I croak a “yes” and shiver in pleasure. Those hands on me … it feels even better than I thought it would.
“All better,” she says with a cheeky smile.
I eye her and joke, “It’s very selfless of you to date me to save my reputation.”
“At complete sacrifice of my own comfort.” She covertlypoints at a scowling girl several feet away. I recognize her but don’t recall her name.
I squint at Kit in question, and she references our intertwined fingers. “She’s the third one on this walk. Tom Holland wants his popularity back. Oh, new rule. You hand deliver any gifts.”
She’s talking a mile a minute. I’ve never seen her so cheerful, so at peace.
Thank you.
“Happily,” I say. “But why?”
“I can’t handle any more awkward handoffs. Those poor girls don’t need any more reminders that the best guy on campus is taken.”
I smirk at her. I’m thrilled that the compliments are still in full force, but dirty looks? Poor girls? “I appreciate the ringing endorsement, but I’m pretty sure you’re imagining a lot of that.”
“I’m relieved you’re not half as cocky as I thought you were,” she quotes with a flirty undertone. She knocks me with her elbow and I reciprocate.
Kit.
It’s all so much better than I imagined. I had no idea how much she was holding back for my sake, trying to be fair to me because she was convinced our relationship couldn’t go anywhere. I had no idea how much strain she was under before, at the mercy of her own mind. I can’t believe I’m holding her hand right now.
I check on our walking progress. Only a couple more minutes and we’re there.
“Should I be nervous too?” Oh, she’s reading me.
I brush my thumb down hers to reassure her. “No. Nothing to be nervous about.”
“Okay …”
I push my Tic Tacs farther up my palm so my fingers can pull the key out of my pocket and hand it to her. She blinks at it.
“I’ve been working on something. For you. I want to explain before we get there.”
She stares at me with brows raised, but she’s still walking, so Ihaven’t completely freaked her out. She finally plucks it from my hand and studies it like it’s the key to a puzzle rather than to a door.
“First of all, I want you to know that Samwise and Haymitch and I did most of it ourselves. I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable about me spending too much on it.”
“Did most of what? Spend too much on what?”
I squeeze her hand in anticipation, and she reacts with a jolt, yanks her hands away, balls them at her chest. She stops in her tracks on the sidewalk.
Oh no. The squeeze? “I’m so sorry.” It’s been less than a day. I have no idea what’s risky and what isn’t.
“I’m okay.” She hesitantly grabs my hand again and continues walking. “Go on.”
“Please tell me, Kit. I can’t bear to scare you again.”
This time she squeezes my hand. “It’s going to happen sometimes. I’m sorry.”
