But Wren and Jackson were about to walk into a queer-owned bakery that featured rainbow cupcakes. Sure, straight people went there. The food was amazing. I pressed my lips together.
Eli
Is Jackson queer?
Grace
You’re jealous… I don’t think so.
Okay, not helpful. I pushed my lips to the side. I’d have to leave it for now. There was a class to go to. After stuffing my phone in my backpack’s pocket, I strode along the path toward my building.
The next afternoon,after my classes finished, Wren still had one last class. I’d picked up a nice card this time and with an invitation for dinner with me. Hopefully, Jackson wouldn’t be around this time.
As I strolled to the classroom entrance, I dropped my backpack on the floor and leaned my back against the wall. Fuck, what if Wren turned me down? My pulse spiked, and I drummed my fingers against the wall. He already agreed to have lunch or dinner with me. But what if he changed his mind?
Wren rounded a corner, chatting with…fucking Jackson.
Damn it, did they have the same major? I bumped off the wall, my cheeks heating. “Hey, Wren.”
“Oh, hey, Eli.” He stopped in front of me and looked me up and down. With a short laugh, he said, “Will I be seeing you every day now?”
“More Danishes today?” Jackson swayed his head and scanned me, as if looking for a bakery bag.
“No, not today.” I puffed a breath out of my nose. Damn it,this guy needed to leave us alone. “I have a card.” I handed it to Wren.
“Oh.” Turning the card in his hand, his mouth tensed. “I’ll read it after class.” He peeked at Jackson.
I held my hand out. “Uh, could you read it now? There’s a question I want you to answer.” If he agreed to dinner in front of Jackson, then maybe the guy would understand that Wren was mine.
Wrinkling his brows, he said, “Are you sure? I can read it later and get back to you over text.”
Jackson raised his brows and smirked at me. “What? Is it a love letter?” He sniggered.
“It’s…” I huffed an exhale. “Yeah, read it later and get back to me.” God fucking damn it. Jackson was ruining it for me. I made to leave, and my arm wrenched backward.
Wren stepped in close, his warm hand clutching my arm. “Thank you, Eli. I’ll respond in an hour. Okay?”
“Sure.” I focused on his plump lips. His mouth was so close. I could kiss him. My gaze swung to Jackson, peering at us. “Talk to you soon.” I stalked off. All I could do now was wait.
God,I was a mess. Pacing across the main room of the Desert Dog house, I glared at my phone as I held it in my face. It had been almost two hours, and I’d heard nothing from Wren. Could something have happened to him? I’d only asked for him to have dinner with me. I hadn’t called it a date.
Casey strolled into the room from the hallway, holding his car keys. “Hey, I’m having dinner at Ryker’s house tonight, so count me out.” As he grabbed the door handle, he stopped and looked sideways at me. “What’s up?”
“I’m just waiting for a text.” With a scoff, I fell onto the end of our well-worn sectional and dropped my phone on the coffeetable. Would he leave it alone? He was obviously in a hurry to leave.
“Who from?” Casey stalked across the room with a smirk teasing his lips. “A guy? A date?”
I didn’t feel like getting into it with him. “A guy I knew from high school. Turns out he’s on the cheering squad.” I’d done it now.
“A guy you knew?” He tapped his lips. “Would this be the guy who broke your heart?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at me.
“Who told you?” Did it matter? But I’d only sworn Malik to secrecy. I peeked at the door. How long would he stay to talk?
“Tex mentioned you were trying to make amends for being a dick in high school.” He patted my shoulder. “I've gotta leave, but I hope you work things out with him, and you get that date.”
Huffing a scoff, I said, “It’s not a?—”
“What’s for dinner?” Malik entered the kitchen through the garage entrance. “I’m starved.” Throwing his backpack on the dinette, he did a double take of us. “What’s going on?” He peeked toward the sink. “Why is nothing thawing?”
