Kinsey:I'm not trying to help.I'm trying to be entertained.
Kinsey:And girl, you are DELIVERING
I drop my phone and press my palms against my eyes.
A date.Tomorrow night.With Jay Cross.
My phone buzzes again.
Kinsey:Wear the red dress
I drop my head back against the wall, eyes closing like maybe that’ll reset the universe.
Ally:I’m not going on a date with him.
Kinsey:Babe, he already decided
Kinsey:Just show up and look hot
I let the phone fall into my lap.No boundaries.No excuses.No pretending it didn’t happen.
Just me.
And Jay Cross.
Tomorrow.
At seven.
…yeah.I’m definitely in trouble.
I've changed shirts twice.
Twice.
For a date with a girl who's already seen me sweaty, injured, and literally unable to walk.A girl who sat on my face and then gave up her entire placement just to avoid me.
And yet, here I am, standing outside her dorm with red roses, wondering if the black henley I chose is too casual.
“Should've worn the navy blue button-down,” I mutter before blowing out a breath and knocking on the door.
“Get together, Cross.”Another harsh whisper to myself as someone shuffles on the other side of the door.I take a step back just as it opens.
It's not Ally.
It’s Kinsey.
She leans her shoulder against the frame.With a Carolina Catfish jersey and shorts on, she takes me in, her brow raising.
“Oh, look who dressed up,” she says.“Didn’t peg you for a flowers guy.”
I hold the roses a little higher.“They’re for Ally.”
Kinsey’s grin goes wicked.Kinsey crosses her arms.“Relax, Cross.I know they’re for Ally.I’m engaged, not stupid.”Then she leans back and calls into the room.“Ally!Stick guy’s here!You can stop changing for the fourth time now!”
“I changed out of my work clothes.That's it!”Ally's voice comes from somewhere inside.“And don't call him that!”
“She's been ready for twenty minutes,” Kinsey whispers to me, clearly delighted.“But she kept second-guessing the dress.'Is red too much?Does it look like I'm trying too hard?What if he thinks I'm desperate?'“
