“Really, Emma, he’s much too coolforyou.”
“Yeah, well, don’t get used to his awesomeness. He won’t be around long enough for it to rub offonyou.”
“Wait – why would you want to get rid of him? I’d think you’d want someone around who made you look less likeadork.”
“Just because you’ve got a guy boner for him doesn’t mean he’s the right oneforme.”
“I don’t want to say beggars can’t be choosers, but in this particular case, Em, beggars can definitely not bechoosers.”
“I’m no beggar, Kyle. You should know thatbynow.”
“Well, then, you’re an idiot. I’d date him if he was a girl, and, you know, if I didn’t have a girlfriend. Wait – if I was a girl, I’d have a boyfriend, right?” Kyle stopped, wrinkling his brows as he looked up at the ceiling trying to figure out the complex thoughts running through his head. “Nope, I’ve gotnothing.”
“I didn’t think so. Just please don’t get too attached. Finn will be headed to his new forever home bymorning.”
* * *
“Emma!”
Jake was with a crowd of people when he motioned for me to meet him at his dressing room. As he started moving in that direction, the group movedwithhim.
“Just give me a few minutes,” he said to his flock before leading me through the door and shutting it on a half a dozen bodies, effectively detaching himself from the needy gaggle of people waiting impatiently on the other side. Once free, Jake slumped against the door and visibly exhaled. It was a wonder how he handled the pressure. I’d always fancied myself to be cool under fire, but I’m not sure I could shoulder such responsibly withoutbreaking.
“Jesus,” he muttered. “They’re likelocusts.”
“So what’s up?” I asked, although I knew full well why he’d called me in, and it wasn’t for altruistic reasons. He wanted the scoop, and by the look on his face, he could hardly wait to roll up his sleeves and play inthedirt.
“So… Finn, huh?” The corner of his mouth turned up ever soslightly.
“Yep.”
“Is there anything you want totellme?”
“Not really. Oh, wait. Thanks for getting him the ticket, and for arranging it lastminute. “
“Uh-huh.” Jake’s head was tilted slightly, and the look he gave told me he wanted morethanthat.
“What?” I demanded,grinning.
“Where did you really meet him? Because you and I both know it wasn’t at aparty.”
“You have no idea what I do on my personal time, so don’tpresume.”
But Jake wasn’t having it. According to Casey, he’d already pieced it all together. Why had I chosen a party in the first place? Everyone knew I didn’t step foot in them. Dammit, I should have picked a more realistic place to fake-meet Finn, like a ventriloquistconvention.
“I’m starting to wonder if you actually did pick him up on the side oftheroad.”
As much as I wanted to protest his ridiculously accurate take on yesterday’s events, I couldn’t fight the smile that was forcing its way out of my tightly controlledgrimace.
“Am I right?” He laughed, pointing atme. “Emma!?”
“All right, shut up, and I swear I’ll kill you if you tellanyone.”
“I… you… how?” Jake stammered, still too shocked to form actualwords.
“His truck broke down at a diner. I helped him out, and we hit it off. End ofstory.”
“Oh, no. Definitely not the end of the story. I mean, you actually brought him to breakfast… to Dad’s birthday breakfast no less. And Mom thinks he’s the one.” Jake laughed at the absurdity ofitall.
