Jonathan’s foot brushes mine under the table.I look up at him.He has this tantalizing grin on his face that ignites my cheeks.
“What’s happening right now?”
I turn my attention to Collin.His eyes dart between me and Jonathan.
“Oh.We’re in the gooey phase, aren’t we?”
Jonathan raises his brows.
“What does that even mean?”I ask.“And how do you know anything about phases of anything?”
“I know things.”He sticks out his chest in exaggerated bravado.“I’ve been there.In thateverything you do is cute and adorable, and I want to lick that syrup off your facephase.”
Ew.
“With who?”Jonathan and I ask at the same time.
“I’m in theI’d rather not talk about itphase,” Collin explains dismissively.I narrow my eyes.How did I not know he was going throughanyphases?We’re supposed to tell each other everything.“I hope you two get over this phase soon, although the next one is thecan’t keep our hands off each otherphase, so I’m not exactly looking forward to it either.Can you just skip to thewe’re so good together, we can read each other’s mindphase?”
I wish.I glance at Jonathan.I don’t know if I’ll ever get to that phase.He smirks back, his eyes never leaving mine, making me feel likeI’man open book.
You forgot these in my truck,” Jonathan says while we’re putting our jackets on to leave.He pulls my gloves out of his pocket and offers them to me.
“They must have fallen out of my coat when…” I meet his eyes, and we grin at each other.Collin groans.“Thanks.”
He leans in and kisses me softly but takes his time pulling away.“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says against my lips.
“Hmm,” is what comes out.A purr of a sound.My eyes remain closed for a second after he’s abandoned my mouth, trying to hold on to the feel of him for just an inhale longer.
When we return to school, it only intensifies.Lingering touches.Stolen kisses in empty classrooms.A connection across the hall, each of us reluctant to look away first.
Everything about him stays with me, even after we’ve parted.I feel like I float on the dance floor in rehearsals.Glide through the day.Like I’m daydreaming and don’t want anything to disturb it.I wear this ghost of a smile on my face, replaying every time we touched or spoke or even brushed against the other.
“What happened between you two?”Collin asks on the phone Tuesday night.“It’s more than gooey.And thecan’t keep your hands off each otherphase is… weird.It’s like you’re both hypnotized or something.Did you have sex?”
“What?!Collin!”I burst out, sitting upright on my bed.“Would I tell you if we had?”
“You would,” Collin says.“And you obviously haven’t because, somehow, I offended you just by asking.So, what is it?What happened?”
“We admitted we love each other,” I tell him, my mouth stretching into a dreamy smile.I sigh.
“Oh,” he replies flatly.“I don’t know that phase.But it makes sense now.How weird you’re both being.”
“We’re not being weird,” I defend weakly.“We’re just… finally being honest.”
“Finally.”I can hear the eye roll in his voice.
“Who was this girl?And when did you date her?I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”I’ve been wanting to ask him about it since Sunday, but we haven’t had a moment to talk until now.He and Jonathan have been working for Hal after school, preparing a new job site.And at school, he’s been distant.Maybe wanting to give me and Jonathan space?
“Someone from another school.No one you know.And it was just a summer thing.”He sounds bored, trying to keep me from asking the million questions I’m bursting to know the answers to.Not gonna happen.
“Last summer?Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It didn’t last long.And it was during the time you and Jonathan were having your secret make-out sessions, before you told me.So, I guess we were both hiding something from each other.”
“But I eventually said something.”I still feel guilty for keeping it a secret for the two months that I did.I guess I didn’t want to screw up our friendship if ours was just a summer thing too.
“Mine was over before it began, really,” Collin says quietly.“Anyway, when’s your next ballet show?I have the best idea for your bracelet.”
