“Not that.” She waved off my comment and rolled her eyes at me like I was missing something obvious. “How did it go with Giles?”
I tilted my head. “Fine? He was a good teacher. I’m not sure what you want me to say.”
“Ugh,” she huffed. “Don’t play clueless with me. I can see the little flirtatious eyes you’ve been throwing at each other.”
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Erin, nothing is going on with us.”
“And at my party? You two were alone all night.”
“It’s not like that, I swear.” As I was trying to convince Erin nothing was going on between Giles and me, my heart sank to my stomach because I realized that maybe Iwantedsomething to be there.
“Whatever you say. Go get yourself cleaned up. We’re grabbing food and drinks in town tonight.” Erin instructed me. “And I’ll drop this whole you-and-Giles thing for now, but just know that I think there is a spark there. I’m calling it now.”
“You’re way off base,” I insisted while secretly hoping she was right.
Did I have a crush on Giles Stone? I couldn’t even remember the last time I had a crush on a man. I had been with Garrett for so long that I wasn’t sure I even remembered how to flirt. I sighed and knocked back the remainder of my room-temperature drink. It didn’t matter what I was feeling. There was no way it was mutual.
ChapterSixteen
Setting my curling iron down,I scrutinized my appearance. My lashes were coated in dark mascara, and I had applied enough bronzer to tone down my cheeks' redness. Did it look like I was trying too hard?
I tugged at the cropped sweater I was wearing before pulling it up over my head. Rushing to the closet, I picked through my slim wardrobe before settling on an oversized maroon crewneck sweatshirt. This would make me look more casual.
A knock sounded at the door.
“It’s open,” I called.
Erin poked her head through the doorframe before walking inside.
“You almost ready?” she asked. “Damn. You clean up nice.”
Heat went straight to my cheeks. “Really? I just threw this on.”
“Uh-huh.” Erin crossed her arms and gave me a knowing look. “Just so you know, I’m not sure if Giles is coming tonight.”
“Oh. Why would that matter?” I asked, feeling like I had been caught.
Maybe I just wanted to look nice for my first time out on the town. It definitely wasn’t for anyone in particular.
“You just put those effortless beach waves in your hair for fun?” Erin leaned against the kitchen sink, smirking at me.
“This is basically how I always look,” I insisted, even though I had spent thirty minutes longer getting ready than I typically did.
“Whatever you say. Let’s head out. Johnny is already there.”
Grabbing my coat, I followed her out of my apartment and down the stairs.
“We can just walk. It’s only halfway down Main Street.”
“Great.” I shivered, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Are you limping?” Erin eyed me.
“No. Maybe? I’m so sore,” I whined. “Can we just drive?”
Erin laughed and grabbed my shoulders, pushing me forward. “We’re not driving. It’s two blocks,Florida.”
“You better not start with that nickname too.” I glared at her.
