Ty, you’re pathetic. Grow some guts. It’s Avery. You know it’ll hurt her feelings if you go too long without talking about anything meaningful.All I know is I’m no better for not breaking the silence.
“That masquerade’s tonight, right? Doesn’t it start in a couple hours?” I ask a dejected Avery between bites of beef jerky. Despite the stiffness of the exchange, it feels good to finally say something more thanthanks for dustingto her and being jealous of her cat all week for getting to be in her proximity.
“It starts in an hour and a half, and I’m not going because I dumped my date,” Avery says into the countertop.
“What about your friend? The cheerleader. Why don’t you go with her?”
“Larissa picked up whatever illness her boyfriend had. They’re not going, so it’s not like anyone is expecting me to be there. It’s not a big deal.”
“It was when you first told me about it. I know you went all out for your costume.”
Her smile falters. “I know. It was gonna be so fun.”
Silence falls over the room, and I weigh my options. Let Avery be sad or… grow some guts. Talk to her—maybe even mention the kiss. Maybe even finally admit to yourself how much you liked it. How you wish you could do it again despite knowing you shouldn’t. And then something pops into my head. What if it isn’t the masquerade that’s bothering Avery?
I clear my throat. “Are you upset because of Ryan?”
She shakes her head.
Relief washes over me. “What is it then?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. Some days are just downer days, ya know?”
“Then let’s pick it up. I know you and I both could use a night to blow off some steam. I’ll take you,” I say in an effort to wipe away the sad look that’s eclipsed her features.
She shifts in her seat, her eyes finally finding mine. “Ty, I don’t want to make it weird, but don’t you think that would be a bad idea?”
My stomach sinks. “Why would it be?”
“Because of… You know. The other night.”
“The kiss?”
She nods.
We’re talking about this. She said it out loud. I can’t avoid it anymore.
I attempt humor. “No. We’re friends, remember? Sometimes friends kiss and then go to masquerade balls together.”
“So now you’re the resident friend expert?” She smirks.
“I am.”
She giggles, and her shoulders relax. “Seriously, it’s okay. The tickets were free anyway. I couldn’t ask you to go so last minute. I know how you like your structure."
“You’re not asking me. I’m asking you.” I lean closer. “You’d be doing me a favor, Avery. I’ve never been to a masquerade before.”
“Me either.” She hesitates, but then her eyes sweep up to meet mine. To my relief, she smiles. “You’re asking me to a ball?”
“I guess so.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod.
“Friend date! Oh, and we can put your lessons to the test.” She fans me with the tickets.
I slip them from her grasp, her warm fingers grazing mine in the process. Touching her, even featherlight like this, is electrifying. If only I were holding her hand instead of these tickets. But I’ll take what I can get.
