He sighs like I’m a lost case. Did he not just ask her out? Because I don’t see how that is helping me. In fact, I feel considerably less relaxed than I did a few minutes ago.
“I asked her out.”
“Yeah, I heard that.” I glare at him again. Not that he seems intimidated. He fucking laughs.
“And what did she say?”
I pause and think back. “She called you a flirt.”
“Uh-huh.” His words are slow, like he’s leading me to some epic conclusion.
“You are,” I tell him. “The worst flirt ever.”
“Yep.” He nods along, not bothering to deny it. “And when I pushed her to give me an answer, what’d she say then?”
He’s baiting me like I’m a kid who isn’t understanding the adult conversations around him. Fuck, I’m not. Maybe I am an idiot.
“She asked what you were doing later.”
“Uh-uh. No, not me.”
My head is starting to hurt. “She said, ‘What are you guys doing later?’”
“Look at you. A plus.”
I flip him off, and he just cackles. Fucker.
“What is your point?”
“She didn’t want to know whatIwas doing. She wanted to know whatwewere doing. Not me. Not Austin, because he’s obviously going to be hanging with Claire. Which means she wanted to make sureyouwere going to be there, Cap.” He bumps me with his shoulder now and I’m sure he’s got that annoying smirk on his face, but I’m not looking at him anymore. I’m looking at Lacey.
She glances back at the same time and our eyes lock. My pulse ratchets up. Maybe, just maybe, she’s feeling whatever this is between us too.
* * *
We don’t end up hanging out later. Austin and Claire bail to do something together, and then it feels awkward, like Rowan set us up where the girl doesn’t know it’s a date.
I don’t even know if I want it to be a date.
At home, I plop down on my bed and pull out my phone. Staring at Lacey’s contact, I tap out a text before I can think too hard about it.
Me:Studying?
Her reply comes just a few seconds later, like she was holding her phone in her hands.
Lacey:No, but I should be. SATs are soon.
I’m about to ask her what she’s doing instead, when a picture comes through. It’s some sort of shirt or dress. A skirt maybe. Fuck, maybe it’s a curtain. The material is silver and glittery. Very Lacey.
After the pictures she sends another text.
Lacey:I’m working on my Halloween costume for tomorrow. Are you going to the party?
Me:I’m not sure. What are you dressing up as?
Lacey:Come and find out.
* * *
