Her classroom felt too quiet when they were gone. The GSA was the highlight of her week, and she’d miss seeing them all over the summer.
Lily was gathering her things when someone knocked on her door. She glanced up, knowing she was alone in the department—Eva had left to go and get ready for their night, and the others had gone to the bar over an hour ago—and found David Blake standing in the hall.
“Got a minute?”
Lily glanced at her watch. A minute, maybe. If she wasn’t out the door in five, she’d be pushing it to pick Eva up on time.
“Sure.” What had she done now?
“I wanted to apologize,” David said, digging his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “What you’ve done for the kids over the past few months, and the amount of money you’ve managed to raise… I was wrong to try and stand in your way.”
“Oh.” Lily blinked, hoping her surprise wasn’t obvious on her face. This was the last thing she’d expected. While David hadn’t made any further comments about the GSA since their initial frosty exchange, he hadn’t exactly been eager to involve himself in their activities the way some of the other teachers had. “Thanks.”
“Keep up the good work,” David said, ducking out with a nod, and Lily waited a few seconds before she followed, a spring in her step as she made her way to the parking lot.
The butterflies she’d been keeping at bay all day erupted as Lily arrived home. She’d purposefully not given herself long to get ready, knowing she’d only overthink if her mind was left idle.
How could she not, after everything she and Eva had been through? What if Eva had changed her mind? What if dinner was a disaster, and they realized they wouldn’t work together? What if this was all a giant mistake?
Lily took a deep breath, concentrating on touching up her make-up. There was no point worrying until after they’d been on the date.
On her bed, Lily’s phone buzzed, and she smiled when she saw Eva’s—she’d finally changed it from Elsa the night before—name on the screen.
Am I allowed to know where we’re going yet?
I told you—it’s a surprise.
I hate surprises.
I know.Lily smiled, stepping into her dress.I’ll be leaving in five minutes, so I should be at your house by seven.
My mother will have a field day when she sees your car. She hasn’t shut up about you since you left last night.
Lily’s smile widened.I made a good impression, then?
You are the first woman I’ve brought home to her in three years, so… it’s a low bar.
You can say yes, you know. It won’t kill you.
It might.
Laughing, Lily slid her phone into her bag and hurried down the stairs. She tipped some kibble into Hades’ bowl and scratched the top of her head. “I’ll be back later. Don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone.” Hades meowed in response, and Lily headed for the front door.
The drive to Eva’s house shouldn’t be familiar to her already, but Lily found it with no trouble and pulled to a stop outside. The door opened before Lily had the chance to reach for her phone, and she waved to Eleanor, visible through the doorway as Eva walked down the drive.
Lily’s breath caught at the sight of her. Eva wore the same dress from Winter Formal, and Lily swallowed, vividly remembering what the material of that dress had felt like beneath her fingertips.
“You’re evil,” Lily said, when she got in the car, and Eva’s lips curved into a wicked smirk.
“What? You told me to wear a nice dress.”
“Not that dress.”
“It’s lucky.”
“It’s something,” Lily muttered. “Are you trying to kill me?”
“No.” Eva’s eyes found hers, gray and smoldering. “Because I have a lot of plans for you, and none of them involve you dying before I’m through with you.”
