It made sense. He was the reason she’d stared at me like she had when we first met. She’d seen him in me, which made me wonder, if we were so alike, what my end fate would be. “What happened to him?”
“He became a wildly successful musician. Met a beautiful girl. They’re getting married in a couple of weeks.”
“Don’t lie to me. What really happened to him?”
Grace sat up on her knees. “That’s the truth. He struggled for years. There were suicide attempts, and he spent years isolating himself, pushing people away.”
“And then what? He just magically got better?”
“There was no magically about it. I have no idea what goes through his head on a daily basis or if he’s been in therapy. All I know is he survives and he thrives. His fiancée, Casey, allows him space but not too much. When he wants to blast through the roof in an ejection seat, she grabs his hand and holds him back. That’s who I can be for you. If you don’t feel comfortable with me cuddling up against you, tell me. If you want to go outside where there are no walls, tell me. I might get mad at you sometimes, but I’m not going to feel bad about things you can’t help. And that is why”—she leaned in on all fours and kissed me—“I’m the perfect girl for you. Don’t forget it.”
I grabbed her face, deepening the kiss. She climbed into my lap, wrapping her arms around me, and I instantly hardened.
“Is this happening again?” She nibbled on my lower lip. “I already put my bra and panties on.”
“That’s half the fun.”
“I really have to get home,” she said between kisses. “My parents don’t know where I am, and it’s only a matter of time before my mom checks her phone and realizes my tracking is off.”
“Fine.”
I let her up and watched her get dressed. After she was done, she crawled back onto the bed and straddled me. So damn seductive.
She bit down on her lower lip, shyly smiling. “Can I ask you something?”
I brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her. “Sure.”
“Will you take me to the homecoming dance?”
“What? Why?”
“Because I’ve always wanted to go, and it’s my senior year coming up, and I only want to go with you.”
“Ugh.” I dropped my head into the pillow. “Of all the things you could ask me post-sex.”
She laughed. “You have time to prepare. Summer just started.”
“That won’t be enough time.”
“Stop.” She lightly tapped my face. “It’s not that bad. We dress up, go in, have a few dances, and then leave.”
“That’s actually really bad. I’d rather dry hump a porcupine.”
“Really? Would you really?” Her smile slayed me.
I closed my eyes and groaned.
“Please,” she whined, dipping her head into my neck and kissing me. “Pretty please.”
A dance at her upscale school. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to do less, but saying no to Grace was not something I wanted to get accustomed to.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Yay!” She cheered, actually clapping.
“I said I’ll think about it, not that I’ll go.”
“I know. Hey, do you have a calendar?”
