“That’s cool. I was hoping I could talk to Jamie.” Ethan’s voice sounded unsure as his shoulders crept toward his ears. Before Nittha could answer, he added, “I’m asking in the least creepy way possible. I know it’s weird for me to just show up, but we are working on a project, and I don’t have her number, but then I saw on your stories that you two were here, and you and me are on the same floor, plus our grandmas are both at breakfast right now, and I knew your room number and—”
“Chill, it’s fine.” Nittha stepped aside so Ethan could fully see into the room.
“Hey, Jamie.” Catching sight of Gabby, Ethan drew his lipsinto an awkward smile as he added, “Sorry to interrupt. Hi, Gabby.”
“Hey,” I said, and Gabby waved. The panic I’d felt thirty seconds ago dissipated as I watched Ethan flounder. Something about seeing him flustered was oddly adorable.
“I don’t think anyone thought you showing up here was creepy until you started overexplaining.” Nittha laughed.
“Oh good. And all three of you are here to witness this extremely not-creepy, very smooth interaction,” Ethan said, rubbing the back of his head as his cheeks turned a deep-pink color.
“Super smooth, bro.” Gabby chuckled, then glanced over at me, widening her eyes as if that would communicate something. Finally, she jerked her head toward the door.
Taking Gabby’s hint, I jumped off the bed and walked over to the door. As soon as I reached Nittha, she turned to face me, raised one eyebrow, and smirked. Nudging her to stop, I focused on Ethan, who was still standing in the doorway. “What’s up? Got another car that plays bird songs and needs filming?”
“Not that lucky.” Ethan laughed. He looked down at his shoes for a second, a nervous habit, I realized. Once his eyes came back up, I caught them as he took a deep breath, then exhaled. “I was wondering if you wanted to film the DJ party with me tonight?”
“Oh, um,” I said, surprised as I tried to remember what BamBam had asked me to do this evening. DJ parties were quintessential Vegas. Shooting a video about the city without the flashing lights and crowds was basically not a video about Vegas at all. The fact that he found one for the under-twenty-one crowd was even better.
“Tickets are dirt cheap for TrendCon guests, and it’s at one of the Stonereel’s pools, so no risk of us walking somewhere and getting stranded.”
“I mean, it could be good…”
“I’ll bring more chips if you’re worried about your hanger.” Ethan half smiled, and a little piece of my heart melted, until I remembered what I was supposed to be doing. BamBam had texted me earlier. Apparently her breakfast with Sterling had gone well, and I was supposed to help her with his makeup master class tonight. Of course, now I really didn’t want to. The DJ party sounded so much more fun. Plus, spending a little more time with Ethan wouldn’t be a bad thing. He was certainly more fun than studying for the SATs or finishing up my SISU application, which was my plan for after the class.
Ethan’s smile fell as he watched me. “It’s okay if you don’t want to go. I thought—”
“No, it’s not that I don’t want to go.” I stuck my hand out to catch his arm as he leaned back on his heels. He glanced down at it, and the memory of last night at the fountain washed across his face, pulling me with it. When his eyes met mine again, his expression was unreadable. My hand tingled, and I released his arm before this strange pull could go any further. Clearing my throat, I forced myself to pretend we weren’t remembering the same moment. “I promised BamBam I’d go with her to Sterling’s master class tonight. She’s the surprise guest, so don’t tell.”
“Got it.” Ethan’s voice sounded like he was taking a gentle hint I definitely wasn’t trying to give. This wasn’t going how I wanted it to go. I looked over my shoulder at Nittha and Gabby, trying to figure out what to do. Nittha blinked at me, whileGabby attempted another round of rapid-eye-movement communication. Both of them were useless.
Turning back to him, I asked, “What time is the party?”
“Technically, it starts at seven.” Ethan’s voice sounded nonchalant as he added, “But the popular DJs won’t go on until later, so I think we could get there whenever.”
“Okay, BamBam and Sterling’s panel is supposed to end at seven-thirty, and then she and Gregory are going to try an Emeril restaurant and seeMagic Mike.” I paused as Gabby started snickering. Immediately, Ethan perked up. I shrugged. “When in Vegas. Anyway, if we go a little late, I could do it.”
I bit down on my bottom lip.
“My grandma has late dinner reservations. She isn’t gonna be back until after nine, so this could work if we don’t stay out too long.”
My heart did a backflip, and I forced it to pull itself together before I could think too hard about what that meant.
“Maybe we meet at the end of the conference hall, near where they have the water station, at seven-forty-five in case BamBam hangs around to talk to people?” I added.
“Sure.” Ethan nodded, tucking his hands into his pockets as he rocked on his heels again. “I should get going before my grandma comes back from breakfast and wonders where I am. But see you tonight?”
“See you.” I moved away from the door as he started to walk backward down the hall, that disarming smile returning to his face.
“Wait.” Ethan stopped abruptly, then jogged toward me withhis phone out. “Can I have your number?” A hint of pink returned to his cheeks as he shrugged and added, “So I don’t have to turn up at your friends’ rooms like a weirdo to talk to you.”
I smirked. “I kinda want to see how you explain this the next time you have to track me down at my grandma’s room or something.”
“I feel like explaining how I found you to your grandma might get my ass kicked,” Ethan joked. “I’d rather just text you and keep all of my parts intact.”
“I guess you have a point.” I snickered and handed him my phone. I took his and smiled at the background. Holding the phone up, I asked, “Is that your dog?”
“Yes. That is Shelby, the most ancient and smelliest basset hound on the planet.” Ethan’s voice sounded completely devoid of warmth, but his smile gave him away. The dog probably smelled like Fritos, but he loved it.
