I dodge around a girl carrying an overstuffed folder, the autumn air sharp as I step out onto the quad. “How are things going over in California?”
“Working hard, you know, the usual.” Truth is, I have no idea what my dad’s usual life is like in California, and I feel guilty about that. I need to book a flight. “Actually, maybe you can help me with something. A friend of a friend asked about Cedar Lakes, and I mentioned that you go there. They’re coming to an open event in a few weeks. I thought maybe you could show them around.”
“Oh, sure… I might get Daph to come too; she knows this place better.”
“Sounds great. I’ll let him know, and I’ll email you the details of his daughter, you guys can girl chat or whatever.”
“Girl chat, Dad? Really?”
There’s a commotion in the background, and my dad’s laugh cuts off. “Gotta run, kiddo. Love you.”
“Love you, Dad.”
Then he’s gone, and I make a mental note to check out flights for New Year’s to visit him.
But now, I have to suffer through three more classes until I can be wined, dined, and satisfied.
Chapter thirty-two
Jay
Mynervesarefrayed.
My palms are sweating.
Exactly the kind of hand any girl wants to hold.
But I don’t want any girl, I’ve got my sights on one girl.
I’m pacing the living room like a caged animal, every sound from the hallway making my stomach swoop. She’s due home any minute, and all I can think about is the way her eyes might light up when she sees me waiting. Or worse—the way they might not. I’m not usually this worked up over a girl, but then Liv isn’t just any girl.
I wipe my palms on my pants again. Useless because they’re still damp.
I want tonight to feel different for her. For us. Not just two roommates orbiting the same space, bumping into each other over mealtimes and half-built furniture. Tonight, I want to take her somewhere that means something to me. Querida is a Portuguese restaurant not far outside of town; some nights it has live music and dancing after nine, and I can’t wait to takeher there. I’ve only visited a few times when my parents came to town, and watched as they danced together. Now, it’s my turn to take someone there.
The sound of a key turning in the lock makes my heart stutter.
The door swings open, and there she is, cheeks pink from the chill outside, hair a little wind-tossed. She’s still wearing my sweater from this morning, and that sends all kinds of signals of possession to my brain, and neither of us is ready for that.
She freezes for half a second when she sees me standing there, already dressed in a crisp button-up, sleeves rolled, dark jeans, and my boots. I’m not sure what expression’s on my face, but judging by the way her hand lingers on the strap of her bag, it’s obvious I’ve been staring too long.
“You’re ready?” she asks, voice a touch breathless.
“Yeah,” I say, shoving my hands in my pockets to hide how clammy they still are. “Didn’t want to risk making you wait.”
Her eyes flick over me, quick but not quick enough, and there’s a telltale curve to her mouth before she looks down at herself, tugging at the hem of my sweater. “Well, I’m not exactly restaurant material yet.”
I can’t avoid stepping closer to her, shrinking the few feet between us until our toes touch. I wait until those blue eyes find my own. “You always look beautiful, Liv.”
Her breath catches, barely, but I hear it. She looks up at me, sweater sleeve pulled halfway over her hand, like she’s hiding.
“Give me ten minutes. Then I’m all yours.”
The words are meant innocently and only for tonight, but I cling to them more than she realizes.
***
The drive out of town is quiet. Liv has her hand on the window ledge, hair catching bits of the streetlight glow, and every nowand then she hums along to the music on the radio. I don’t say much because I’m too busy memorizing the way she looks in the low light.
