“Okay,” she starts. “Everything I’ve ever experienced has been with him. I guess you could say he was my only benchmark,” she explains. “In my head, it’s like everything leads back to him.”
“I don’t get it.”
And I really don’t.This guy dumped her ass months ago, and she’s still obsessing over him?
“I know you don’t, and that’s okay.”
Is Lois saying that asshole is the only guy she’ll ever want?
“How did it feel when I kissed you?”
The question comes spilling out of me, and it’s too late to take it back.Smooth… If I was hoping to act nonchalant, that was a fail right there.
Lois flushes, standing there in silence staring at me.
“What does that have to do with anything?” She starts chewing on a nail.
I can’t take my eyes off her mouth. I step closer, my gaze locked on her lips, watching as she widens her eyes. A car horn blares out somewhere down the street, shattering the moment into a thousand pieces.
“Seriously, Lois,” I snap. “You need to get out and live a little. You’re being weird about him.”
What I really want is to tell her she should sleep with other guys—screw her way to post-Kirk enlightenment. But I can’t bring myself to say it out loud.
She flashes me a thumb. “Your advice is always so solid, I’ll definitely keep it in mind.” She bats her lashes, plastering a smile on her face. “Anyway, why did you come down?”
“You forgot this.” I pull her coin purse out of my pocket and wave it at her. “Life hack number two: money is useful for buying stuff.”
“Yada yada yada… thanks.” She snatches it away from me. “Hey—why did you tell Kirk you aren’t going to the party?”
Because I wanted to piss him off.But also because deep down inside, I’d rather stay home.
“I changed my mind.”
“In the space of three minutes?”
“Yeah.”
“I was planning on chilling in front of the TV. So if you want to hang out, I’m the remote boss for tonight.”
“Sold.” I smile. “What do you say we go find us some microwave meals?”
“Best New Year’s Eve ever.” She smiles back.
Her cheeks are flushed pink as we head for the grocery store, and I shove down a flicker of disappointment. When I asked about our kiss, I was hoping she’d say she felt the way I did. But what would that change, anyway? It’s not like I want to date her, or anything. It’s more of an ego thing. Plus the fact that I really could do with getting laid as soon as possible.
Back at the apartment, Lois decides to hit the books, and though I try to squeeze in a little study time myself, I can’t focus on anything except what she said about Kirk.
“Okay, Lane.” She slams her folder shut, and I jump. “Spit it out.”
“What?”
“You keep looking at me like you hate me. What have I done to displease his lordship now?”
“I’m not looking at you like anything.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
