“Elle?” He says it slowly, like he’s turning it around in his mouth. “That’s a pretty name.”
“Oh, um, thank you,” I say, blushing. Technically my nameisElle, but no one’s ever called me that. I’ve been trying to get people to call me Elle forever, but it’s always been Ellie—which sounds like I’m still wearing diapers—or Eleanor—which sounds like I need an adult diaper. Elle sounds so sophisticated when he says it.Like I’m not a little girl anymore.
The other guy from before walks up and Will gestures to him. “This is my best mate, Frank.”
Frank has on tight red jeans and a loose T-shirt with an open neck that shows his collarbones. His blond hair is curly and flips in weird ways on the top of his head.
“Are you from around here, Elle?” Will asks, but the upturn at the corner of his mouth tells me that he already knows the answer.
“Um, Emberton Manor. I mean, I’m a student there. I’m from America.”
“Naturally. Well, it’s very nice to meet you. How are you liking England?”
“I’m liking it a lot right now,” I blurt. And immediately want to crawl under the table.
“Have you had a chance to walk around much?” he asks, seemingly oblivious to my embarrassment. “I’d be happy to show you if you’d like. You know, give you the local touch.”
I nod way too enthusiastically. Will quickly pays for the fairy and follows me to the stall where my group lingers. They stare at us.
“Hey, guys,” I say. “This is Will and Frank. They’re going to show me around the market. I’ll meet up with you in a bit, okay?”
“But you haven’t introduced us to your friends yet,” Frank interrupts. “I’d love to meet them.”
“Oh, right. Sorry. This is Sage, Dev, and Huan,” I say, pointing to each in turn. Frank winks when I point to Huan and Huan’s cheeks go as red as mine must be. Realization dawns on me. It looks like I’m not the only one who likes my British men as hot as my tea.
I’m floating as I walk away at Will’s side. Whose life is this? Not mine. Then I remember I have to somehow hold a conversation with him and drop back to the ground.
“Will, I wasn’t finished at the Barn,” Frank says.
“You never are.”
“The Barn?” I ask.
“The Vinyl Barn.” Will points to the booth catty-corner to us. “Frank is trying to buy every vinyl record in existence. He thinks he’sverycool.”
“I am very cool,” he replies with a laugh.
Will studies me. “What kind of music do you listen to, Elle?”
The intensity of his gaze tells me this isn’t just a casual question. There’s a “right” answer—but I have no idea what it is. I grasp for a band he might like, but nothing comes to mind. I mostly listen to oldies and pop music and I doubt Selena Gomez is at the top of his list. Oh Lord. I blurt something out.
“The Beatles.”
Will and Frank exchange a look.Dammit. My stomach sinks.
“Mmm,” Will replies. “Yeah, I don’t mind some of their later stuff. The druggy stuff.”
Not exactly a ringing endorsement. But then I remember a band Crystal liked and blurt it out. “And The 1975.”
Will nods and I exhale. I passed the test.
“Me too,” he says. “They can be melancholy, but in a meta kind of way, you know?”
“Mmm.” I have no idea what he means. “Definitely.”
The moment we get to the booth, they both start flippingthrough racks of records. I take the chance to study Will. God, he’s beautiful. Maybe he’s an athlete? He’s very tan and fit. It’s easy to tell because of the way his navy pants cling to him. I could spend all day staring at him.
“So, what subject are you studying at university?” Will says without looking up from the records.
