“No way.”
I snicker. “Way.” Apparently, muscle weighs more than fat, and I’ve definitely gained muscle. “I’ve just firmed up.” I slap my own thigh.
“Your body is h-a-w-t.” She nods approvingly. “Not only that, but you’re wearing clothes that actually fit. Thank fuck. I was getting really sick of those giant T-shirts and sweatshirts.”
“Hey,” I protest. “I still love those.” I still work out in those clothes. But she’s right. I’m feeling a lot more confident in my own skin now, which seems to translate into me choosing new clothes that don’t hang on me.
“Well, the minute Lucky gets a look at the new you, he’s gonna flip.”
“He’s not.”
“I’ll bet you—”
“No.” I release a startled laugh. “No bets.” Not about Lucky, anyway. That’s over. Done. Like Deena just said, new year, new life, new house, oh, and new major. I’ve done a complete one-eighty, as they say, as regards to my degree. After some soul searching and good talks with my parents, I’ve decided to change my major to… drum roll please… education. I’m going to be a teacher. A high school science teacher, to be exact.
My dad has always loved his job. He whistles first thing in the morning and everything. Plus, he gets his summers off. There’s something really appealing about that as well. When I told him I was thinking about a degree in education, he was beyond thrilled.
“A chop off the ol’ Billy block,” he’d said.
I guess he’s right.
16
Becklyn
It takes nearlytwo weeks before I see him. And before he sees me. Hopping off the bus at the stop right by our apartment complex, I make my way toward my building and see movement to my left, causing me to glance that way. I recognize his car first. A dark blue Ford Mustang that he’s had since high school. Lucky is busy doing something under his hood. Even though I can’t see his face, I’d know that body anywhere.
He looks good.
Stepping closer, I hear him mumbling things to himself.
“Car trouble?” I ask in as cheery a voice as I can muster even though I’m a nervous wreck. It’s been months since I’ve seen him.Months.While I should probably keep my mouth shut, the truth is, I’ve missed him. Besides, I can’t just pass by him without acknowledging him.
Startled, Lucky bumps his head on his car hood causing me to wince for him. “You okay?”
He turns his head slowly. When our eyes meet, I suck in a lungful of air and hold it.
God, he’s gorgeous.
“Becklyn?” Lucky says, sounding surprised. “Are you looking for me?” His voice changed just then, to something rather hopeful.
“No.” I point toward building two. “I live here.”
He looks to where I’m pointing. “You do?”
“I do.” I force a look on my face that hopefully shows confusion. “Why are you here? Did you come to seeme?”
Ha. See what I did there?
“I live here too. Five.”
“Oh.”
“You look different.”
I feel different.
“I do?”
