CASPIAN
That’s okay. I’ll stand by it anyway.
My face is on fire.
CASPIAN
Are you free this Friday? For our date.
I fling my phone onto the bed like it’s a live grenade. Then immediately grab it back.
ANTONIO
I’ll check my calendar and let you know. :)
I stare in horror at the smiley face that slipped in by my traitorous thumbs.
ANTONIO
THAT SMILEY FACE WAS AN ACCIDENT
ANTONIO
YOU CORRUPTED ME BY USING IT FIRST
CASPIAN
That’s what I do. I use fountain pens and corrupt young minds with smileys.
ANTONIO
dangerous man
CASPIAN
Only in emoticons. If you find a slot in your calendar, let me know. I’ll be right here, smiling my idiotic smile.
I press the phone to my chest, staring at the ceiling. There are two of us, smiling like idiots.
CHAPTER 37 – CASPIAN
I set an iced latte and a blueberry muffin in front of Cole and sit down withmy own coffee.
Cole studies my face.
“Thank you. What’s with the look?”
“What look?”
I aim for nonchalance, but my mouth betrays me.A sunny, bright, idiotic grin spreads on my face.
“You haven’t blinked once and your smile’s all dopey.” He lowers his voice, leaning over the table. “Antonio?”
“We’re going out on Friday.”
“What?” Cole’s smile lights up his whole face. “That’s amazing! Where are you taking him?”
“My first thought was Paris,” I admit. “It might be too much.”
