Page 40 of Little Do You Know

“You’re being dramatic. I think the problem is that you have feelings for him, which is why sex didn’t solve everything for you,” she theorizes, and I hate that there’s a part of me agreeing with her. “Anyway, I’m so excited to see you that I changed my ticket. Maybe it’ll help you abstain from jumping his bones again.”

“Very funny.”

“I can always change it back to my original flight, but I figured it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission in this case,” Penelope says, but I don’t want to get my hopes up yet.

“So when would you get here?” I ask, pulling up my calendar on my phone.

“I’ll get there this Sunday if you’re all right with me crashing at your place for an extra week?”

My jaw drops, and I can’t believe it. This might be the best thing I think I’ve ever heard. “Of course. However, I should warn you that Bash and Owen might not appreciate your lack of clothes. You should pack extra.”

She laughs lively, and I smile at the sound of it. “Got it. I’m excited to meet this man of yours. I wouldn’t want to make his head explode.”

“Not my man, but I don’t even have words for how excited I am to have you here. It’s nothing compared to Paris, but I can’t wait to show you everything.”

“Perfect! I’ll send you my flight details, but can you try to stop denying yourself love, Thalia? Don’t be afraid to climb the tree a second time. I expect an update in a few days!” Penelope throws out there, hanging up before I can protest. I’m not denying myself of love. That’s not what it is with Sebastian. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s not that. I will also not be climbing the tree again.

I look at the time and could probably make it to class, but I don’t want to. I pop into the library, and sitting at one of the tables by the great wall of windows is Landon. He’s intently staring at his laptop, and I turn to go in the opposite direction when Landon looks up, waving at me. Oh fuck. Now, it will be awkward if I turn around to walk away.

I force my feet forward until I sit in the seat next to him. Perfect. “Hey, Landon. What’s up?” I would rather be anywhere but here. Maybe I need to swear off men and avoid them altogether. I think the Amazon women were onto something.

“Just some biology assignment. You know anything about evolution?” He smiles easily at me, and I relax in my seat.

“Unfortunately, that’s not the area of history I study. Didn’t humans used to be monkeys or something like that?”

Landon laughs, giving no hint of feeling uncomfortable. I’m glad one of us is fine. I can pretend to be fine, but I’m nervous about saying the wrong thing. “Something like that. Are you here to study? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in the library.”

“Something like that,” I tease with a smile. “I’m skipping class. I have a case of I didn’t feel like going. You should try it sometime.” We share a brief laugh, and Landon shakes his head at me.

“I wish I came down with that today. I’m so tired all the time.”

I feel that. My sleep occurs even less now. All I can do is lie there thinking about him in the next room. I totally got him all out of my system. “How’s basketball going?” I ask, taking a relatively safe conversation path.

He grimaces, and I guess I’m wrong about it being a safe conversation. This is what happens when your friends avoid you after rejecting them. “Coach is going to work us to death. This is the first time he hasn’t run us ragged in days. The trainers made him give us the day off because they’re tired of patching us up.”

“Damn, that really sucks. I’m sorry.” I feel bad because that sounds horrible.

“It’s part of the sport. I knew it going in. I’m used to it, but it can make it difficult to keep up with classes,” he explains, motioning to the books in front of him. I give Landon a sympathetic look, and he clears his throat. “Listen, Thalia, I want to apologize for the night at the party. I’ve liked you for a while.” He laughs awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. “I don’t want a silly crush to ruin our friendship. I feel bad that I haven’t reached out, but I’m a little embarrassed because Vera told me you felt the same way I do. Obviously, that doesn’t mean you have to, but I’m trying to make sense of it all.”

I can’t help the shock that runs through me at the new information I’m learning. It makes me see the conversation the other day in the bathroom in a whole new light. Why didn’t Vera give me a heads up that she knew Landon was going to ask me out or that she told him I reciprocated his feelings? I have never told Vera that. None of this is making any sense.

“Vera?” I ask, trying to keep how baffled I am by this information separate from his apology.

Landon’s face shifts, and he looks as confused as I am. “Did you not tell her that?”

“No. I don’t even see her all that often anymore. We hang out sometimes, but it’s not how it was before I left,” I clarify, refusing to let my mind run rampant. I quickly clear my throat. “Seriously, Landon, don’t worry about it. I’ve missed talking to you. We don’t have to make it awkward.”

“I appreciate that. I’ve missed being around you. You make everything so much more fun and chaotic,” he jokes, trying to lighten the mood. “Thanks for understanding. I’m sure the thing with Vera is just a misunderstanding. I probably heard her wrong.”

“Maybe.” I smile, forcing a short laugh.

~

Owen and Blake are each grumbling over different assignments they have. Meanwhile, I’m working on a paper worth 15 percent of my grade. Blake has followed through on her French lessons by asking me words every few minutes.

I’m unsure where Sebastian is, but I can certainly focus better knowing he’s not in the apartment.

“How do you say food?”

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