“You dry-humped. In. The. Library.” She mimics my words from early. “That’s huge.”
I shrug. “I guess.”
“So, when are you gonna see him again?”
“I’m not sure. He said he’d call.”
Carley flops back onto her bed. “He’d better do it this time.”
“I know. I told him.”
Sitting up abruptly, Carley looks surprised. “You did? Did you give him the manners talk?”
“Shut up.” I laugh.
“You did. You gave him the manners talk. Did you also talk about kindness? Did you repeat your mom’s mantra?”
She’s talking about the one my mom has repeated a million times to me. “If you can’t be kind, be quiet.” I guess working retail for so many years has made her believe that. I guess I do too. “No. I didn’t tell him that one. I just told him it was poor manners not to call when you say you’re going to call.” I shrug. Why wouldn’t I tell him that?
“Good for you, hon.” She looks as though she really thinks it was good for me. “How did he take it?”
“Fine. Good. I––” Just as I’m about to continue, my phone starts to vibrate in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see Eli’s name. Turning it to show Carley, I add, “See? He said he’d call me later.” I look down at the phone again. “It’s later.” Pressing the button, I put the phone to my ear as I leave Carley’s bedroom. She follows me. The snoop. “Hello?”
“Hi, Emma,” he says in his deep voice. He makes my name sound so nice.
“Hi, Eli.”
“I’m calling like I said I would.”
“I see that.” I walk into my bedroom, turn, and shut the door right in Carley’s face and giggle.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” No, I’d better say something, so he doesn’t think I’m laughing at him. “I was laughing at Carley.”
“Oh. I see.”
There’s a pause. A long one. Should I say something? “What are you wearing?” Okay. What the ever-loving heck? Why would I ask him such a crazy question?
I guess he thinks it’s funny because he laughs. I have to wait for him to finish before I can get a word in. You know, to apologize. “No. I mean…”
“I’m wearing a pair of old workout shorts.”
Oh. “That’s it?” It’s getting cold outside. He should have a T-shirt on at the very least.
“That’s it.” I hear him make a guffawing kind of sound. “Now, beautiful Emma. What areyouwearing?”
“The same thing as before. I just got home.”
“Oh.” He’s quiet for a moment. “Maybe you should change into something more comfortable.”
“I will.” Duh. Usually, it’s the first thing I do when I get home. “The bra has to come off first.” Oh. My. Goodness.What am I saying?
“Oh, yeah?” His voice got that husky tone again. “Maybe you should do that now. While we’re on the phone?”
“I’m good.”
“You sure are. But you kiss like you’re naughty.” He sighs. “Actually, that whole thing in the library, Em, that was hot. The way you wrapped your legs—”
