CHAPTER
NINETEEN
Dawson
I let out a long breath, ignoring all my cousins’ outbursts as I reach for my phone to see if she’s messaged me.
These chats are the only crumbs I get from her, and like a mouse, I gobble them up.
DoesMyBreathStink60: Did you see that the Assassins are number one?
AmbrosiaMercer: I did, but so are the Panthers.
DoesMyBreathStink60: You live in Tennessee. Convert.
AmbrosiaMercer: Never.
I can’t fight my grin. She’s so stubborn.
“Oh my goodness, he’s gone for her.”
I look up to find everyone watching me, Ashlyn studying me like I’m a science project. Fuck knows, I feel like one. While I want this, and I will get a chance to make Ambrosia mine, it does feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience. Every time I getexcited or all sugary thinking of her, I’m like, is this really me? I don’t check my phone for texts. I have never ignored girls on my Instagram or Snapchat, but not only have I done just that, but I blocked everyone I’ve been through and then set all my accounts to private.
I am doing everything I never thought I would.
For her.
Louis snorts as he nods toward the papers. “So much so. Now, keep folding flowers for the girl who doesn’t want him and will probably burn them in front of him.”
Shit. I hadn’t thought of that.
“Do you know her friends?” Charlotte asks, and I shake my head.
“I don’t know that she hangs with anyone. At least, when I ask, no one seems to know her,” I say, looking down at my phone.
“Too bad. You could ask them if you’re wasting your time.”
I’m not, but I grin anyway. “Wanna befriend her?”
“No way. When you get what you want, you’ll drop her like a bad habit.”
I make a face. “No, I won’t.” They all give me a look, and I hate how it makes me feel. “You just said I’m growing, and I am. I don’t want her only to have her once.”
Louis blinks, and it annoys me that even he’s surprised by my proclamation. “For real, for real?”
I swallow hard. “Yeah,” I say softly. “She’s a game changer for me.”
Louis looks at Charlotte and Ashlyn, who are looking back at him. “You two have got to befriend her. We gotta help this dude out.”
“Yeah, he can’t do this on his own,” Jennings agrees, and that earns a round of laughter at my expense.
“This is it, gals. Lock in, get it done!”
I ignore them, looking back down at my phone.
Me: Do you have friends?
AmbrosiaMercer: What kind of question is that?
