Grandma holds up her hands. “I didn’t insinuate anything. Artemis is a good friend to have.” She hesitates. “I meant to talk to you about something. Soccer season will start up soon. Have you thought about trying out for the team? Your dad told me a few years ago that you’re quite the player. You still play, don’t you?”
I lean my head on the seat. “No. Not anymore.”
She nods slowly. “All right, if that’s what you want. I figured I’d throw it out there, let you think about it.”
“Already have. Soccer is part of my past.”
The rest of the drive is quiet, except for Grandma telling me more stories about this town. It’s been around forever and has lots of history. I’ve never been part of something like this. A community where everyone cares about one another. Most people have been living here their whole lives, and like Grandma, never left once.
Grandma drops me off at Artemis’s house, waving and telling me to have fun. She still has that twinkle in her eye.
I ring the bell, and no more than a few seconds pass before the door flings open to reveal my new friend. She smiles. “How was the museum?”
“Good.”
She widens the door, inviting me inside. “My parents and brother aren’t home, so it’sjust the two of us. Um, want food? I ordered pizza.” She gestures to the box on the table.
“Thanks, but I already ate.”
We stand there staring at each other. I slip my hands into my pockets, not taking my eyes off her. She shifts from one foot to the other, keeping her focus on me.
Chapter Nineteen
Artemis
Ryan stands in my living room, gaze glued to mine. And I can’t seem to break away from his deep, memorizing eyes.
“It’s great you spent time with your grandmother,” I blurt, just to dosomething. “All my grandparents are dead. Two died before I was born and the other two died within a year of each other, three years ago.”
“Were you close to them?”
“Yeah, it was really hard. My dad buried himself in his work. My mom organized different charity events and tea parties and all that stuff, just to distract herself. Jason had Jenna and I was…well…”
He steps forward and makes a move like he wants to take my hand, but then stops. “Wish I could have been there for you.”
I blink at him. “Oh…um, thanks.” My hand shoots to my hair, where I tug on the strands. “Did you have fun at the museum? Oh, I already asked you that. So…ready for the movie? There are so many versions, but I picked my favorite. I hope it’s okay.”
He shrugs. “I don’t know anything about that.”
“Right. Are you sure you want to watchPride and Prejudice? Because we can watch anything, I don’t care. Maybe we can even head to the theater. They have awesome popcorn there.”
He shakes his head. “I’m curious.”
“AboutPride and Prejudice?”
He captures my eyes with his. “No, why you love it so much.”
My heart skips a beat. The room has suddenly gotten so hot, and that’s not because we have the heat on.
“Um, I guess we can go to my room…” I squint. “Wait, never mind. My dad will comehome and will crap his pants if he finds us alone in my room. Even if I tell him we’re just friends.”
I study his reaction, to see if maybe, just maybe, he’s disappointed that I called him my friend. But nope. He seems completely cool with it, standing there with his hands in his pockets and glancing around the room.
“Here is probably better.” I gesture to the TV.
He shrugs. “Whatever you want. I don’t really care.”
Right…so he wouldn’t care if we were alone in my room. Got it. He really just sees me as a friend. I guess I’m okay with that. I mean, I have to be. I can’t force someone to like me.
