My eyes go wide. He thinks I’m a college student. Of course he does. Emberton is owned by an American university and these guys are clearly not in high school. I think of correcting him, but once again I leave it. I might as well be considered a college student while I’m in England—I’m taking classes with college students and professors. And I don’t want them exchanging more knowing looks. Or walking away.
“Psychology,” I say, thinking of my first scheduled class. “But, uh, I’ve just started so I don’t know much about it yet.”
“Brilliant. You can psychoanalyze me.”
Yes, please.“Are you in school around here?”
His expression darkens. “No. I’m working right now.”
I want to ask more but think better of it. Instead, I flip through records with them. Do people actually listen to these things nowadays? Wouldn’t the sound quality suck? Whatever, it doesn’t matter. I’ve only been in the country for two days and I’ve managed to befriend gorgeous British boys. I’ll worry about everything else later.
While they browse, I try to memorize band names in case Will asks me more questions. Frank keeps holding up records like they’re trophies and high-fiving Will. I honestly don’t even recognize these bands. The Stone Roses? The Fratellis? But I do noticethat Frank seems partial to rap. Maybe he likes beatboxing too?
My group catches my eye as they stroll by. Huan waggles his eyebrows at me and Sage watches Will disapprovingly. Dev mouths,Having fun?I nod and Will notices.
“Did you want to go back to your friends?”
“No.”
“Good, because I’m not ready to let you go yet.” He turns to Frank. “We’ll meet up with you.” Frank waves us off.
People turn as we walk past. Vendors tip their hats in Will’s direction. Girls actively glare at me, which is awesome. I was completely invisible when I walked into this market—just another shopper—but now I’msomeone. I’ve been so busy hiding from everyone since the party, and it’s a welcome change to want to be seen again.
The only problem is that I’m going to have to make words with my mouth if I want to keep his interest. “So, um, how long have you lived here?”
“Oh, I don’t live here.” He laughs. “I live in London. I’m only in Northampton until my father sorts himself and lets me back home.”
“You two... fought?” I’m not sure I have a good enough grasp on British lingo to follow his meaning.
“He was upset about my A levels. He wanted me to attend Oxford and my scores weren’t up for it.” He kicks a rock. “He’s more worried about impressing everyone else than about what I want to do with my life.”
“So why does he want you to live in Northampton?”
“I’m working at his estate agents’ office here until I canprove my maturity. He says the job will wake me up to life, but really he just wants me out of London. Too many distractions.”
I’m surprised by his bitter tone. Northampton seems like an ideal place to live, but what do I know? I’m sure London must be way more glamorous in comparison. I search around for a better conversation topic, despite the fact that he’s even cuter when he’s grumpy.
“Well, at least you have friends here. Frank seems really nice. Do you work together?”
“No, he doesn’t give a toss about being an estate agent. He’s taking a gap year to be a production apprentice with the BBC down in London. He wants to work in radio.”
“Whoa, that’s cool.”
His shoulders release. “He’s thebest. Most of my London mates would never come out here, but he says he likes the calmer pace.”
“I think it’s amazing here.”
He inspects me, smiling. “So, you’re a real, red-blooded American? How many cowboy hats do you own? Do you have an American flag hanging in every room of your house?” I start to argue, but he interrupts me. “No, more importantly—do you take the flags with you when you eat your daily McDonald’s?”
I laugh. “What?! You must not have met very many Americans before.”
“Certainly none as beautiful as you.”
Oh wow, he’s too charming for his own good.
We continue walking—or soaring, in my case—through thestalls. Will tells me about one of the houses he’s helping to sell and I tell him all about Emberton. He’s heard of the manor, but never been inside, so I give him the full rundown of its grandeur. We browse as we talk, picking up items and looking through racks of clothing.
“Are you all right for a moment?” he asks when I pause at a booth to smell their homemade candles. “There’s something I need to go get.”
