“Nope.” I give him the evil eye, stick my tongue out at him and turn around.
He leans in behind me. “If that was some kind of invitation, I’m very interested.”
I put my head down, laughing.
Ford pats my back. When I have my emotions under control, I turn, glancing at him over my shoulder. “I’ll meet you by the janitorial closet at lunch.” And laugh again.
“It’s a deal,” Ford says, laughter in his voice.
Oh no, what have I started? We spend the entire period readingWuthering Heightsand completing a worksheet. Every couple of minutes, I feel Ford’s fingers in my hair. He tugs on the end of my curls, wraps the curls around his finger, or just rubs a tendril between his fingers. Every touch sends happy little tingles down my spine. By the end of class, I’m floating on cloud nine.
In chemistry, Ford catches me staring at him. He winks at me and gives me his charming smile. I can’t see my face, but I can feel that it’s turned completely red. Later, when class is almost over, I catch him looking at me. I smile, and the urge to giggle bubbles up from my gut. I clasp a hand over my mouth to keep it at bay, but Ford can tell, and it makes him laugh.
After class, as I’m putting my books in my backpack, Ford walks past, whispering, “see you in ten.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, but he doesn’t stop. He turns around and mouths, “A hall, janitor’s closet.” And then walks out the door.
“Oh my gosh,” I mutter, zipping up my bag.
When I get to my locker, Jack, Tyler, and June are already waiting. “What are we doing for lunch?” Tyler asks. “I’m down with whatever.” His gaze lingering on June.
“Let’s stay here today. I don’t feel like going anywhere,” Jack says.
Ford shrugs. “I’m okay with that.”
He looks at me. “Yeah, me too.”
Everyone looks at June, who hasn’t been paying attention because she’s been ogling Tyler. “Uh, yeah, whatever’s the consensus?”
I hurry, put my books away, and we all head toward the lunchroom. “We’ll catch up,” Ford says, grabbing my hand and tugging me toward A hall.
I glance back at June to make sure she’ll be okay with the guys, but she only has eyes for Tyler. I think June and Tyler are cute together, and I’d love for June to be in a relationship. It’s just that Tyler has always been a player. He’s just like Ford used to be, only not as cocky about it. I don’t want to see my friend get hurt.
“She’ll be fine,” Ford reassures, squeezing my hand.
“Who was the bigger player, you or Tyler?” I ask.
Ford blows out a breath. “If I said it was me, would you believe it?”
I cock an eyebrow at him.
“Yeah, I didn’t think so.”
I sigh. “I just don’t want her to get hurt.”
“I know, and that makes you a good friend.” Ford stops in front of a door at the end of the hall.
“Are we really doing this?”
“Yes. Unless you don’t want to.”
Oh, good grief. I’m not about to say no to a make-out session with Ford, even if it’s at school in the janitor’s closet. To show him my answer, I grab the handle and open the door. However, the closet is currently occupied. Beckett Ward and Piper Lockwood have beaten us to it. They break apart, looking dazed and confused. “Hey, Cross, what’s up?” Beckett nods to Ford.
“Nothing much. Sorry to interrupt. We’ll let you get back to it. You might want to lock the door, so this doesn’t happen again.”
“That’s a good idea. Thanks, man,” Beckett says. Piper flings herself at Beckett, and they grope at each other. It’s one of those scenes where you want to look away, but you just can’t. Ford covers his hand over mine and pushes the door shut, and I finally come out of my stupor.
I look up at Ford. I know my eyes are bugged out, and my mouth is hanging open.
