If anyone notices my face is blotchy, at least I don’t stand out—Kristin’s weepy, too. Mr. Yoon keeps fondly teasing her about it. She responds by burying her face in his shoulder.
After Kristin and Mr. Yoon exchange their practice “I do’s,” Alex snaps back to my side like a rubber band, arm sliding behind my waist. Trevor skips away, Alex’s eyes following him with an unmistakable shine of outrage.
“I’m going to talk to him,” he mutters darkly.
“About what?”
“I found you crying, and where was he? He should be here with you, not me.”
“It’s fine.” I wave dismissively.
Alex slides in front of me to block my view of everything else, watching me carefully. “Why doesn’t that bother you?”
“I’m all right, Alex. Seriously.”
He looks up at the sky and sighs. “You’re about to be annoyed with me.”
What else is new. “Can’t wait to hear where you’re going with this.”
“I have circled back to my belief that you and Trevor are not a couple.”
“Oh, boy. This again.”
“You’re not in love with each other, that’s for sure.”
“Why would we pretend to be in love if we aren’t? That’s absurd. Also, our relationship is a very relaxed sort, which is exactly what I want. You’re in denial.”
“First of all,you’rein denial, and you’re bad at it. And yes, itisabsurd to pretend to be in love when you’re not, but call it a gutfeeling—I know something’s up. Secondly, there’s no way that if your relationshipisreal, you’re satisfied. You barely even look at him, you never walk over to stand next to him whenever he comes around. You look at mewaymore often than you look at him, I’ve noticed.”
“Notice less, please. Your mom’s getting married tomorrow, so you should try focusing on that instead.”
“I’m a solid multitasker.” His head tilts, tone curious. “You’re blushing.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Why are you blushing?”
He isn’t going to let this go. “I’m sunburnt, probably. Be useful and go get me some aloe vera.”
“Is it because of this?” His hand flexes on my waist.
My breath catches.
“Interesting.” He trails a finger up my arm, chucking me beneath the chin. “Shall we experiment?” Mischief dances in his eyes.
“Hands to yourself,” I hiss.
“You first.”
I frown, then look down. To my horror, my hands have found their way to his sides, tips of my fingers curled into his waistband. I leap back with a start.
Heat rushes to my face, my ears, between my thighs. Alex laughs a quiet, knowing laugh. Strolls off without a care, offering an elbow to his mom, kissing her cheek, and when he glances back at me, he winks.
Chapter Twenty-One
CORNFLOWER:
Be not over-impetuous; my heart cannot be stormed.
