“Is that your way of saying I’m pretty?” I smirk.
“Well, I called you beautiful like three times tonight, so I think it’s pretty clear I find you attractive.” He looks away, his eyes wide, as if he didn’t mean to say that. “What about this photo? Is that an old boyfriend?”
When I note the photo he’s looking at, I snort a laugh. A few people are in it, lined up and smiling. One of them is me, and the other is Drew.
“No, that’s Drew. Back before his pre-dickhead days, we were kind of friends. This photo was taken during a decent summer, but right after it, Drew decided he needed to join the drug world.” I roll my eyes. “And he turned into an asshole. Obviously.”
He processes this then moves to another photo. “What about this guy?”
“That’s a guy I briefly worked with. He was cool, but he moved away after, like, three months.” I turn to face him. “Are you subtly trying to get my dating history? Because if that’s the case, I’ll make it easy for you.” I gesture at the wall. “I haven’t dated any of these guys in these photos or in the world.”
His lips part in surprise, and it makes me giggle.
“Why are you laughing at me?” he wonders with his brows furrowed.
“Because you look so shocked by that,” I reply. “I’m not sure why. You haven’t dated anyone before.”
“I know, but …” He’s struggling with this information. “I have a reason why I don’t.”
“I know. And I have my reasons why I haven’t.”
“Oh …” He drags out a pause. “Can I ask what those reasons are? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
“It’s fine. It’s not a big mystery.” I pluck a few photos off my wall and stuff them into my pocket, deciding to take them with me. “A lot of people I know start dating and end up either getting consumed by their relationship, get into a toxic one, or some of the women I know end up knocked up. I’ve always known that I wanted out of northside. I want a better life with a career and stability. And so, to make sure that plan happens for me, I decided I didn’t want any distractions or risks.”
“And so, no dating.”
“Yep, no dating.”
“That makes sense.” His gaze tracks me as I wander around the room, picking up a few items to take with me. “What about now?”
“Hmmm?” I’m picking up an old band T-shirt, but pause, glancing at him.
He shifts his weight while massaging the back of his neck. “Is that rule still in play now that you’re in college?”
I hesitate, trying to dissect the meaning of his question. With how many times it seemed like he might kiss me, I’d question if he was asking for himself. But River doesn’t date either, so perhaps he’s simply curious.
“I don’t know.” I stand up straight. “It’s not that I don’t want to date, but I’m going to a college full of royals and, no offense to you—you’re like the sweetest guy I’ve ever met—but from what I’ve seen, when a royal dates a northsider, it’s usually because they’re a sidepiece.”
“That does happen a lot.” A disappointed frown is etched on his face, but then he grins. “You think I’m sweet?”
“Notthink. Iknow.” I collect a backpack from off the floor and stuff the items into it.
“A lot of people would disagree with you. In fact, I’ve got a reputation for being a total asshole.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. I thought that about you when I first met you.” I sling the backpack over my shoulder and flash him a toothy grin. “But underneath that hard candy shell, you’re just a chocolatey center that’s all melty and soft.”
He stares at me, unimpressed. “Did you just compare me to an M&M?”
“What? They’re yummy?” I giggle as I back toward the window.
He shakes his head, his eyes playfully narrowing. “You’re yum?—”
Bang!
“What the hell was that?” River hisses, hurrying over toward me in a protective way.
Blood roars in my eardrums as my heart thunders. “The front door slamming shut.”
