She stops in her tracks, and stands there staring at me.
“Nice T-shirt, by the way.” She smirks.
I glance down at the supersize “S.” That afternoon, when I realized I had pulled on the Superman top she gave me for Christmas, it felt right to keep it on. Now that she’s seen it, I’m hoping to get some kind of reaction, but instead she just blinks, her eyes drifting back to mine.
“Did it feel good?” She arches an eyebrow. “Hitting him, I mean.”
“Yeah.” I smile. “I needed that.”
Her eyes are boring into mine, and I would pay good money to know what’s going through her head right now. I just punched her boyfriend, after all.
“You’re so…”
She shuts her eyes and wraps her arms around herself. Her lips part, then close again. Is this the right time to tell her I’m dying to kiss her?
I’m doing my best to keep it on the down-low, but the truth is I’m drinking her in. She looks incredible in that dress—the same one she wore for Thanksgiving. Even back then, I thought she looked amazing that night. It’s a shame it took me so long to figure out what it all meant.
I pat the cushion next to me. “Want to join me?”
“I’m considering it. I don’t know whether I want to slap you or ghost you.”
“Surprise me.”
She rolls her eyes, a flicker of a smile playing on her lips, and it suddenly feels like we’re back on my couch, eating pizza and passing the time.
“Why did you punch him?”
I rub my fist. “He makes my skin crawl.”
“And?”
I feel like she’s reaching out—throwing me a lifeline. The problem is I don’t know what she wants from me.
“I don’t like the guy.”
“And?” she says again, taking a step toward me.
“When did you guys get back together, anyway?”
“Who said we’re together?” she asks, her eyes widening.
“I saw you kiss at the mall.”
“Okay, Detective…”
“So when did you hook up?”
“As soon as I realized I’m still crazy about him.”
Wow. That hurt. It’s a slap in the face, but I don’t flinch.
“Which never happened, you total moron!” She glares at me. “Talking to him helped me get my head straight. When he tried to kiss me—outside amall, of all places—I turned him down. It was the best day of my life. I know bitterness is never a good look, but it just felt so good. I felt iconic,” she adds.
I get to my feet, my thoughts churning.
“But I saw you guys.”
“Hetriedto kiss me. I pushed him away.”
