Riley snorted. It was an inelegant sound, more pig than human, and I found it devastatingly charming. I wanted to make her do it again. I wanted to catalog every sound she made and file them away for later examination.
“So you admit you’re following me,” she said.
“I admit nothing. I’m simply a man who enjoys morning walks.”
“Past my apartment.”
“It’s a nice street, and you know I live a block away. Lysmont isnotthat big, and I enjoy watching people curse at the pothole in your street. Very amusing.”
She laughed, and the sound settled warm in my chest. We walked in comfortable silence for a moment. The summer heat was already building, the sun beating down on the pavement, and I could feel sweat prickling at the back of my neck. Duskmere was a kingdom of eternal winter, so this human summer was actively trying to kill me. I would never get used to this.
“How’s Jade?” I asked, because Thessa told me to show interest in Riley’s friends.
Riley’s face softened. “Disgustingly happy. She won’t stop texting about your sister.”
“Thessa’s the same. It’s nauseating.”
“They’re cute together.”
“Yeah. They’re insufferable together.” But I was smiling. Thessa had been floating around our rented apartment humming songs and sighing dreamily. I hadn’t seen her this happy in years. “But I’m glad. She deserves someone good.”
Riley glanced at me sideways. “That’s sweet.”
“Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation.”
“As what? The mysterious hot foreigner who washes dishes and orders a tall latte?”
I stopped walking abruptly and turned to face her, my heart going a mile per hour as a slow smile spread across my face.
“You think I’m hot?”
Riley’s cheeks flushed. “That’s... I didn’t... it’s true, don’t play dumb. You have a face. It’s symmetrical. That’s scientifically proven to be handsome.”
“So you think I’m scientifically hot.” I stepped closer, enjoying the way her blush deepened. “That’s very flattering. I’ve never been called hot by science before.”
“Now I think you’re scientifically annoying.”
“Don’t be like that. It’s not as if I get called handsome by a gorgeous girl every day. Let me enjoy it. Besides, you are the one who keeps walking with me.” I gestured at the sidewalk stretching ahead. “Every morning. Almost like you enjoy my company.”
“I enjoy the entertainment value. You’re very strange.”
“Strange and hot. I’ll take it.”
She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling, and her cheeks were still pink. I felt victorious.
We reached the corner where our paths diverged. Hers toward the coffee shop, mine toward somewhere. I hadn’t actually thought about where I was going. I just wanted to walk with her.
“See you around,” Riley said. “Probably multiple times. Since statistics are meaningless.”
“Statistics are a social construct.”
She laughed and walked away. I watched her go, grinning like an idiot because she called me hot.
Progress. Undeniable progress.
***
Three days later, I discovered that Lysmont had lakes.
